Tax and Estate Planning

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The importance of the work of this department in safely securing the best interests of one's family and its assets cannot be overemphasised. A particular benefit can be derived from your solicitor being fully aware of your family's financial circumstances including its changes - continuity of advice is often said to be the best security - and that continuity of expert professional advice is exactly what we provide. The partners within this department are Christopher Hamlyn and Susannah Griffiths.

 

Wills, Probate, Trusts and Tax Planning

The range of legal services undertaken by the Private Client department which is headed by, Christopher Hamlyn [link to C. Hamlyn profile] are as follows:

• Preparation of wills and their regular review
• Obtaining probate, and the administration of estates
• Deeds of Variation
• Personal tax planning including mitigation of Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and other taxes, and advice on domicile and residence
• Creation, variation, administration and winding up of all kinds of trusts, including non-resident trusts
• The provision of trustee services
• Powers of Attorney
• Court of Protection matters
• Advice on the financing of long term residential care and the protection of 'family' capital

Through established links developed with various regulated Financial advisers, we offer access on beneficial terms to particular and specialist consultants providing advice on:

• Investment
• Pensions and
• Insurance.

If you would like further information or to discuss this matter further please contact Christopher Hamlyn or Susannah Griffiths.

 

Specialist Legal Services for Older People

Payment for the cost of Residential Care in later years worries many people nowadays. Treatment for illness is provided by the State, but frequently pressure is put on older people to sign themselves out of NHS accommodation, with the result that they then have to pay for private care. We can advise on this changing status and its financial consequences.

When considering the financial options for paying for private Residential Care, or indeed Nursing Care in some cases, both older people and their families are concerned about security of care, and the way it will be paid for, particularly if the older person has a house, (often mortgage free at that time of life) which normally a family might expect to inherit in due course.

We believe that it is critically important that clients are aware not just of their legal rights with regard to Residential Care, but also of the options which may be open to them to protect their property. Contrary to popular belief, it is not possible to "save" your property from the State simply by giving it away. What is possible, is to take reasonable steps, for sound reasons, in advance of any need, in order to legally safeguard some or all of your property against the time when the need may arise later.

But there are many other issues in addition to those of cost and security which are involved when considering long-term care, and since each case is inevitably different, we offer an individually tailored service to each client. Included in comprehensive help, is specialist advice on individual topics which may be necessary, such as Wills, Personal Tax Planning and Enduring Powers of Attorney.

What is fundamental, is the taking of precautionary and protective steps as early as practicable, and in this we will help with all the necessary, and difficult, decisions.

If you would like further information or to discuss this matter further please contact either Christopher Hamlyn or Susannah Griffiths.

You can contact the Tax and Estate Planning Department direct by completing the form below: