Firms To Watch: Personal tax, trusts and probate: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx

Osborne Morris & Morgan‘s niche practice primarily handles a variety of Court of Protection matters and personal injury trusts, with practitioners regularly acting as trustees and deputies. The team is jointly led by Sheenah Shah and Hazel Page in Leighton Buzzard.

Personal tax, trusts and probate: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx in South East

B P Collins LLP

In Gerrards Cross, B P Collins LLP houses a ‘personal, caring and efficient‘ practice with a diverse offering, handling both contentious and non-contentious issues. The group regularly dispenses advice on capital tax planning work, with practitioners often appointed to act as professional executors and trustees. Lucy Wood heads up the practice with her vast experience in acting for high-net-worth individuals with inheritance tax planning, the administration of trusts, and lasting powers of attorney. ‘Experienced, responsive and cerebral‘ senior associate Dominic Ibbs is adept at advising on a broad range of issues, including Court of Protection applications and estate administrations, while associate Sharon Heselton has extensive expertise in advising on estates consisting of overseas assets and business shares.

Praxisleiter:

Lucy Wood


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Dominic Ibbs; Sharon Heselton; Naadim Shamji


Referenzen

‘Working with BP Collins has always been easy. They are personal, caring, and efficient when dealing with clients at a distressing time.’

‘Sharon Heselton and Dominic Ibbs – their communication and efficiency makes the whole process run smoothly, during what can be a difficult time.’

‘Prompt attention to matters. They have a good probate and trust team .We work closely with Naadim Shamji. It goes without saying that the technical quality of the team is high.’

Blaser Mills Law

The practice at Blaser Mills Law is ‘strong across the board‘ with expertise in acting for clients with disabilities in trust-related care home issues, and offshore trust matters. Practice head Jonathan Gallop works out of the Marlow office; praised by clients for his ‘calm, common sense‘ approach, he has ample expertise in advising clients on estate planning issues and lasting powers of attorney. In Amersham, Minesh Thakrar often assists with the drafting and preparation of wills, and the mitigation of inheritance tax, while senior associate Sara Rendell primarily advises on the administration of estates. High Wycombe’s Karen Woodison is particularly adept at handling Court of Protection issues and probate matters.

Praxisleiter:

Jonathan Gallop


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Emma Hurrell; Minesh Thakrar; Karen Woodison; Sara Rendell


Referenzen

‘I have had excellent service across a range of issues, including drafting wills, and probate. The team is strong across the board.’

‘Jonathan Gallop is very user friendly and responsive, with a calm, common sense approach.’

‘I find Blaser Mills very approachable.’

Debenhams Ottaway

Praised for its ‘attention to detail, empathy and client service‘, the team at Debenhams Ottaway provides a diverse offering, often advising on lifetime planning for the protection of vulnerable adults, the administration of trusts, and inheritance tax issues. The ‘magicalSusan Glenholme heads up St Albans-based practice with her deep knowledge of private wealth management, the drafting of lifetime trusts and registration of enduring powers of attorney. Claire Sharp maintains a trust-focused practice, regularly dispensing advice on life interest trusts and discretionary trusts, in addition to being appointed by clients as trustee or executor. The ‘excellentRachel Hyndman is particularly experienced in advising on Court of Protection issues concerning care for the elderly and deputyship issues.

Praxisleiter:

Susan Glenholme


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Claire Sharp; Rachel Hyndman; Andrew Spearman; Barry Griffin


Referenzen

‘Generally knowledgeable, helpful, and get back to you in a reasonable time frame.’

‘Debenhams Ottaway looks after my high-net-worth clients. I have always been extremely impressed with the team, and have only ever received positive feedback from clients. I would say that their strongest points are attention to detail, empathy, and client service.’

‘Susan Glenholme is magical. Her calm manner settles your nerves even in the most complex of situations.’

Sherrards Solicitors LLP

The team at Sherrards Solicitors LLP provides ‘excellent advice and support‘ on a broad variety of matters, including obtaining and re-sealing foreign grants, and the establishment of disabled trusts. Nicole Marmor leads the St Albans-based group, often assisting non-domiciled clients with drafting wills and setting up discretionary, excluded property and bare trusts. ‘Very knowledgeable‘ associate Aisling Kelly has broad experience spanning lasting powers of attorney, the administration of estates, and obtaining probate.

Praxisleiter:

Nicole Marmor


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Charles Burrell; Louise Stradling; Aisling Kelly


Referenzen

‘The team are knowledgeable, very supportive, attentive to our timescale, and give us both excellent advice and support throughout a difficult situation.’

‘They are fully interested and engaged in not only finding us the best outcome but also guiding through timings and process. We felt that we had someone on our side that was both batting for us as well as thinking ahead of the game to influence the future outcomes.’

‘Aisling Kelly is clearly very knowledgeable, and is able to answer all our questions with sound advice. Most importantly, Aisling has natural empathy and sensitivity when dealing with what can be a difficult subject for people to discuss. Would certainly use her again and recommend her to others.’

Taylor Walton LLP

The ‘fantastic‘ team of ‘highly skilled‘ practitioners at Taylor Walton LLP acts for a diverse client base of farmers and landowners, entrepreneurs and charities. Alex Drake heads up the practice from St Albans, while Steven Hamilton and Alison Voyce lead the team from Harpenden. Drake has long-standing expertise in assisting high-net-worth individuals, providing ‘invaluable‘ advice on inheritance tax and estate planning matters, in addition to grants of probate applications and estate administration. The ‘very skilful‘ Hamilton has broad expertise spanning lifetime tax planning, trust administration, and lasting powers of attorney; while Voyce utilises her ‘excellent knowledge of the law‘ to represent a number of public figures and farmers on succession planning and probate issues.

Praxisleiter:

Alex Drake; Steve Hamilton; Alison Voyce


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Zoe Sivelle


Referenzen

‘They were fantastic from day one, they explained and guided me through legal matters in a patient and transparent way, all decisions were made with upmost care and thought. I have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone.’

‘Excellent manner with clients. Ability to explain complex issues in a clear and straightforward way. Friendly, approachable, flexible, knowledgeable.’

‘I cannot praise Steve Hamilton highly enough. His calm, reassuring manner is great, plus he can explain things clearly without being patronising. He also seems very kind and considerate, and has great empathy with one’s predicament. Needless to say he is very skilful, Steven is a credit to his profession! I’m very grateful for his help and regard him as my go-to solicitor!’

Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising a high-net-worth family on options for organising their personal affairs and inheritance tax mitigation, including setting up a family discretionary trust and related deed of appointment of a revocable life interest to hold shares in the family trading company shares with various family and charitable beneficiaries.
  • Advising on the administration of the estate of a wealthy individual, who died overseas during lockdown leaving assets in various jurisdictions, including establishing the domicile of the widow for IHT purposes prior to applying for the Grant of Probate, and also advising on the optimum treatment of various family trusts.
  • Advising on the high-value estate of a wealthy retired businessman and a number of lifetime trusts as well as advising the executors and family members in connection with their own estate planning.

Tees Law

Offering ‘fantastic personal service and attention to detail‘, the team at Tees Law assists high-net-worth individuals with lifetime tax planning and the administration of estates. Nicola Havers and the ‘exceptionalSarah Walker jointly lead the practice in Bishop’s Stortford. Havers primarily handles the creation and management of trusts, often acting as a trustee, while Walker focuses on inheritance tax and estate planning, with a strong focus on Anglo-French wills and estates involving assets located in France. Letitia Glaister leads the Royston group; she is praised by clients for her ‘pragmatic approach and can do attitude‘ and acts for numerous farming clients in succession matters.

Praxisleiter:

Nicola Havers; Sarah Walker


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Lauren Glynne; Letitia Glaister; Helen Craughwell


Referenzen

‘Fantastic personal service and attention to detail. Their client focus is exceptional, as is their subject knowledge.’

‘Tees stands out for their service. Tees is the firm I feel I can trust to get things right.’

‘Sarah Walker is exceptional in helping us with wills in France and UK. She listens brilliantly, responds appropriately, and gave clear and simple principles to work to.’

Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising on two individuals wills, review, and re-draft their lasting powers of attorney, review a lifetime settlement which holds potential development land, arrange to update the appointment of trustees, and introduce an additional class of beneficiaries as potential beneficiaries of the settlement.
  • Advising trustees on the management of The Allan & Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust (valued at £32m) with respect to both governance and the grant making process.

Crane & Staples LLP

The team at Crane & Staples LLP exhibits an ‘unsurpassed depth of knowledge‘ when acting in matters concerning gift applications, trust management, statutory wills and agricultural estates. The ‘tremendously knowledgeableDavid Bird heads up the Welwyn Garden City practice, with his longstanding expertise in the creation and administration of trusts and estates, in addition to the preparation of lasting powers of attorney. Samantha Webb is ‘willing to help in every way she can‘ when advising on declarations of trust and Court of Protection applications, while associate Georgina Christou has broad knowledge of inheritance tax planning and is ‘extremely efficient‘ when assisting with applications for deputyship orders. Tahir Nisar departed the practice to join Whiskers in April 2023.

Praxisleiter:

David Bird


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Samantha Webb; Georgina Christou; Katie Smits


Referenzen

‘They are very attentive and have looked after my legal affairs with compassion, support and understanding. Their ability to communicate with clarity is excellent. Their staff are always courteous and always get back to me.’

‘All individuals stand out. They have their own areas of expertise, and are extremely patient wherever necessary. Samantha Webb is an absolute delight, and willing to help in every way she can.’

‘Samantha Webb is very professional with a friendly disposition. Someone you feel that you can trust. Samantha is very approachable and makes sure every eventuality was covered, discussed and agreed.’

IBB Law

IBB Law houses a broad team, which is praised by clients for handling the full spectrum of issues concerning the establishment of family investment companies, and claiming agricultural relief with ‘care and full understanding‘. In Chesham, practice head Jacqueline Almond has longstanding expertise in estate planning work, often advising clients on domicile issues, foreign assets, and provisions for vulnerable beneficiaries through personal injury trusts. Based in Uxbridge, the ‘attentive, knowledgeable and professionalRussell Hallam is often selected as a panel deputy by the Court of Protection to manage financial affairs for those who lack capacity, in addition to acting as an independent administrator.

Praxisleiter:

Jacqueline Almond


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Joanna Mills; Russell Hallam; Michael Charalambous


Referenzen

‘My matters have always been handled with care and full understanding of what I need to achieve and the best way forward.’

‘Jacqueline Almond has always been kind and understanding. I feel that she is able to think clearly about my needs and takes the multiple issues and places them in order of urgency. She truly cares about the client’s worries and concerns, and is able to limit these with concise explanations.’

‘Russell Hallam and Michael Charalambous are timely, attentive, knowledgeable, and professional.’

Longmores Solicitors LLP

Longmores Solicitors LLP’s ‘extremely professional and efficient’ team is based in Hertford, and assists clients with a broad range of issues, including Court of Protection applications and the administration of trusts and estates. The ‘very knowledgeable and helpfulRichard Horwood heads up the practice, and is particularly adept at assisting clients with reducing inheritance tax liabilities and handling the preparation of wills and succession issues for family businesses. Alastair Liddiard has extensive expertise in drafting trusts, handling powers of attorney, and winding up trusts.

Praxisleiter:

Richard Horwood


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Alastair Liddiard


Referenzen

‘Richard Horwood is very competent, helpful and professional.’

‘Quick turnaround, friendly and helpful service. The team is knowledgeable, and thinks outside the box.’

‘Richard Horwood is very knowledgeable and helpful, he works very collaboratively and with the ultimate aims of the clients in mind.’

Machins Solicitors LLP

The team at Machins Solicitors LLP provides ‘first-class‘ advice on a myriad of issues, including the administration and planning of high-net-worth estates. Nic Pestell and Nicki Denton-Masih jointly lead the practice from Luton and Berkhamsted respectively. Pestell has significant expertise in the mitigation of inheritance, and provides ‘highly efficient and excellent quality‘ advice on the structuring of wills and trusts, and business succession, while Denton-Masih often handles Court of Protection applications for the removal of trustees, and obtaining grants of probate.

Praxisleiter:

Nic Pestell; Nicki Denton-Masih


Referenzen

‘Machins provide first-class service and explain the process to clients in a manner that they understand.’

‘Nicki Denton-Masih gives prompt, highly efficient, and excellent quality advice in every instance. This has been done in a professional and yet friendly manner which has made me feel valued. I would recommend her strongly.’

‘Broad spread of experience. They provide first-class service in a timely fashion.’

Woodfines LLP

In Bedford, Woodfines LLP houses a team with ‘outstanding‘ knowledge of wills and lasting powers of attorney. Praised by clients for having the ‘perfect balance of technical ability and personability‘, practice head Mikhala Leak has vast experience in assisting clients with applications to the Court of Protection, drafting trust deeds, and the administration of estates.

Praxisleiter:

Mikhala Leak


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Tim Addinell; Helen Simpson


Referenzen

‘They have a great private client team that strive to provide the best possible service for their clients. Mikhala Leak is particularly recommended.’

‘They are thorough, ethical, and want things done the right way.’

‘The team’s knowledge is outstanding, they are open minded and take a refreshing approach. Mikhala Leak very much leads and encourages this culture.’