I am a private client solicitor based in York, advising individuals and families on Wills, trusts, estate and succession planning, probate, lasting powers of attorney and related tax matters.
I have worked in private client law for 16 years and often advise people whose circumstances need a bit more thought than a standard document or off-the-shelf solution.
For me, the work isn’t simply about asking somebody what they want and then documenting it. Clients don’t always know all the questions they need to ask when they first come to see me. My role is to understand what they’re trying to achieve, help them think through the wider issues and explain their options clearly – that way they are empowered to decide what’s best and right for them.
How I help
People come to me at many different points in their lives.
They may need to make or update a Will, put lasting powers of attorney in place, think about how family wealth should pass to the next generation or deal with the estate of somebody who has died.
Sometimes the initial request is relatively straightforward, but the conversation reveals other things that need considering. That might include inheritance tax, trusts, vulnerable beneficiaries, challenging family dynamics or how different types of assets might be dealt with. I take the time to look at the whole picture rather than simply dealing with the enquiry in isolation, or as a separate ‘one-off’ exercise.
When somebody dies, for example, getting probate and administering the estate may only be part of the work. There is often useful tax planning and other opportunities for people receiving an inheritance. I help families understand what the Will means, what their options are and whether there might be a more useful or better way of structuring their inheritance for the future.
I also advise on trusts, including trusts created during somebody’s lifetime and those included within a Will. Where specialist tax or accountancy advice is needed, I work closely with the client’s other advisers or I can make recommendations.
Where I add value
Much of my experience has involved advising people with substantial or more complex estates. They may have businesses, several generations to consider, inheritance tax concerns, overseas constituents or simply that their family circumstances don’t fit neatly into a standard solution.
I enjoy the advisory side of private client work. I don’t believe in simply producing a document that somebody might ask for without checking that it will actually achieve what they want. A client may come to me asking for a standard simple Will, but our conversation might also cover how Wills can be used to protect family wealth, provide for children and future generations, support someone who is vulnerable, and how they can provide tax efficiencies
Private client work is often very personal. It involves families, relationships, money, health and decisions that people may have been putting off for a long time. Legal expertise matters, but so does understanding people and their relationships. I try to make those conversations feel as straightforward and comfortable as possible.
I really enjoy working with individuals and building trusted relationships with clients over time.
I also regularly work with financial advisers, accountants and other professionals. When somebody refers a client to me, I know they’re trusting me to look after both the client and the relationship properly. I take that seriously, keep clients appropriately informed and make sure they feel supported rather than simply being passed from one adviser to another.
Experience
I qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and began my career in London as a litigator, initially in private practice and later as in-house counsel to a number of FTSE 100 companies. After taking a career break to raise my family, I moved into private client law.
Since then, I have held senior private client roles and managed a national private client team. My work has covered a broad range of Wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney, probate, estate administration, succession planning and tax matters.
I became a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners in 2012, having completed the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates with Distinction.
Representative work
My work includes:
- Reviewing and preparing Wills (including standard simple Wills as well as more complex tax efficient Wills, incorporating Will trusts)
- Advising on, and preparing and registering Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Advising on the creation of lifetime trusts, the preparation of the relevant trust documents, and the ongoing trust administration and compliance
- Advising on inheritance tax and succession planning
- Advising executors and families generally on the probate and estate administration process
- Working with executors to ensure they understand their legal obligations and assisting them as appropriate to meet their obligations to beneficiaries
- Dealing with the administration of substantial and/or complex estates
- Identifying tax planning opportunities for families or beneficiaries following a death
- Working alongside financial advisers, accountants and tax specialists, where appropriate
My approach
Clients need somebody who understands the technical legal detail, but they also need to feel comfortable asking questions and talking openly about what are often very personal matters.
I listen carefully, explain things in plain English and make sure clients understand the choices they have. I’ll tell somebody if I think there’s more they should be thinking about, but I try not to make things more complicated than they need be.
My aim is to give clients thoughtful, tailored advice and help them make decisions with confidence.
I’ve lived in York with my husband for more than 25 years and have two grown-up children. Family and friendships are hugely important to me. Outside work, I enjoy pilates, art and design, reading, film, cooking, gardening, and the odd live music festival. I’m also looking forward to exploring more of the Yorkshire countryside and coast with Blue, my golden doodle.