Private client law

Private client legal services tailored to your needs

We understand the unique legal opportunities and challenges faced by private individuals and their families. By taking a collaborative approach, we deliver expert legal support across a range of private client services, offering practical solutions to protect and manage your assets effectively.

What is private client law?

Private client law focuses on wealth management, estate planning, and tax efficiency for individuals, families, and trusts. It involves structuring assets, drafting wills, resolving inheritance disputes, and advising on cross-border tax issues.

Probate and estate administration

Administering an estate after the death of a loved one can be a challenging and emotional process, particularly for executors who must navigate legal responsibilities, family dynamics and complex tax matters. Our holistic approach to probate and estate administration combines legal expertise with multi-disciplinary support to guide you at every step.

Our team of solicitors, with access to tax specialists, accountants and financial advisers, work collaboratively to ensure all matters are handled efficiently and sensitively. From valuing assets and calculating inheritance tax to dealing with HMRC and distributing the estate, we take care of the details so you can focus on what matters most.

Our services include:

Valuing the deceased’s estate and calculating inheritance tax liabilities

We conduct a thorough assessment of all assets (property, investments, pensions, personal possessions) and liabilities (debts, mortgages, funeral expenses) to determine the net value of the estate. This includes:

• Tax analysis: Calculating potential inheritance tax (IHT) liabilities, including reliefs like business property relief (BPR) or agricultural relief.
• Lifetime gifts review: Identifying gifts made within the last 7 years that may attract IHT.
• Valuation compliance: Ensuring valuations meet HMRC standards, including specialist appraisals for unique assets (e.g., art, antiques).

Preparing and submitting probate applications

We handle the Grant of Probate (if there’s a will) or Letters of Administration (for intestacy), including:

• Document preparation: Drafting the executor’s oath, will copies, and asset schedules.
• Court submissions: Filing applications to the Probate Registry and addressing queries.
• Legal authority: Securing the grant to legally administer the estate.

Identifying and resolving potential legal or tax issues

We proactively address risks such as:

• Will validity challenges: Investigating claims of undue influence or lack of testamentary capacity.
• Tax disputes: Resolving HMRC enquiries into estate valuations or relief claims.
• Hidden liabilities: Uncovering undisclosed debts or contested assets.

Managing relationships with HMRC and other authorities

We act as intermediaries to ensure compliance and resolve disputes:

• IHT400 submissions: Filing inheritance tax returns and negotiating payment plans.
• Penalty mitigation: Addressing late filings or errors in estate reporting.
• Cross-border coordination: Liaising with foreign tax authorities for estates with overseas assets.

Distributing assets to beneficiaries

We oversee the final transfer of assets in line with the will or intestacy rules, including:

• Executor duties: Settling debts, selling property, and liquidating investments.
• Beneficiary communication: Providing clear timelines and resolving entitlement disputes.
• Partial distributions: Releasing funds early where possible, with safeguards against later liabilities.

Providing tailored advice for estates involving business or foreign assets

We specialise in complex estates requiring:

• Business succession planning: Structuring share transfers to minimize tax and ensure continuity.
• Cross-border estates: Navigating conflict of laws, dual probate, and foreign inheritance tax regimes.
• Trust administration: Aligning trust assets with estate distribution plans.

Offering practical solutions to manage family dynamics and disputes

We mitigate conflicts through:

• Mediation: Facilitating discussions between beneficiaries to avoid litigation.
• Deed of variation: Amending wills post-death to reflect family agreements.
• Contested probate support: Defending or challenging wills in court under the Inheritance Act 1975.

Wills and inheritance planning

A carefully drafted will ensures your assets pass to your chosen beneficiaries. Without a will, government rules dictate the distribution of your estate, which may not align with your wishes.

We assist with creating wills that consider family dynamics, business interests, foreign assets and inheritance tax planning. By taking the time to understand your circumstances, we ensure your will reflects your intentions and protects your loved ones.

Creation, interpretation and dissolution of trusts

Trusts offer a practical way to protect your assets and provide for beneficiaries in a controlled manner. Whether you are looking to establish, interpret or dissolve a trust, we provide clear guidance to ensure the structure aligns with your objectives and circumstances.

We also advise on trusts for individuals with vulnerabilities or challenges, known as Disabled Person’s Trusts or Vulnerable Person’s Trusts which is a tax efficient way to protect assets for a vulnerable beneficiary. It is especially useful for families with qualifying children who may for example be autistic, have ADHD, or experience speech and communication difficulties, offering long term financial security when future independence is uncertain. A DPT allows trustees to manage funds on the beneficiary’s behalf, ensuring flexible support without affecting their entitlement to certain benefits. When properly structured, it can also provide favourable inheritance tax and capital gains tax treatment, making it a powerful tool for safeguarding a vulnerable person’s financial future.

Why choose us for property law?

Lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) allow you to appoint someone to make decisions about your care or finances if you become unable to do so. Without an LPA in place, others may need to apply to the courts for this authority, which can be time-consuming and costly.

We help you choose an appropriate attorney, explain their responsibilities to them and prepare the necessary documentation to ensure your interests are safeguarded.

Why choose us for private client services?

Our integrated approach combines legal, tax and financial expertise with empathy and efficiency to address all aspects of estate administration, planning and asset protection. Whether the estate involves personal or business assets, we ensure a seamless process, giving families peace of mind during a difficult time.

Contact us today to discuss how we can support your needs, from planning for the future to managing life’s unexpected challenges.

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