I am a private client Solicitor with over 10 years of experience in the profession. I previously held positions at Directorship and Partnership level at renowned law firms in the New Forest, Bournemouth and Dorset areas and jointly headed up one of the largest private client teams on the south coast.
I regularly provide complex tax planning advice to high net worth individuals. My work often involves input from the firm’s trust and tax, commercial, company and employment teams. I also have a niche area advising sports professionals who require advice relating to their personal affairs to be separated from their professional work. I provide planning advice to business owners and agricultural clients to ensure a smooth transition of their estates to future generations.
I’m a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners as well as Solicitors for the Elderly and a Dementia Friend.
Areas of Expertise
Case Study
Dealing with the administration of an estate where the deceased had made substantial lifetime gifts during his lifetime, including shares in a company holding land investments. These gifts were made within 7 years of death resulting in the value of those gifts being included in the estate for inheritance tax purposes. Approximately £1million of IHT was payable.
The deceased made a number of large pecuniary legacies under the terms of his will and the IHT payable resulted in insufficient funds being available to settle these legacies. The calculations and returns required to be presented to HMRC were complex and HMRC raised a number of complex queries regarding the gifts and other circumstances surrounding the estate. The IHT payable had to be apportioned and claims for the IHT payable by those recipients of the lifetime gifts, had to be made.
Handling the administration of an estate of a farmer. The Will was poorly drafted (by another firm of Solicitors) and sought to divide the farm into different parcels of land. Relations between the beneficiaries were extremely strained and the Will failed to provide any rights of way to one of the parcels of land. Lengthy negotiations between all the parties was required to reach a settlement.
Before his death, the deceased also tenanted a piece of land subject to an Agricultural Holdings Act Tenancy. The landlords failed to provide the proper notice in the correct time period to the Personal Representatives which resulted in the estate having the benefit of the tenancy. A six figure sum to surrender the tenancy back to the landlords was obtained for the benefit of the estate.
Advising an administrator on the administration of an estate worth circa £800,000, divided between the UK and Germany. The deceased was resident in Germany but Domiciled in England and he died having not made a Will. Careful consideration of Domicile was required to ensure that the correct taxes were paid in the correct jurisdictions and that the estate was administered in accordance with the correct jurisdiction. The assistance of a German lawyer was required to obtain the Erbschein in Germany, settle German debts and encash the German assets.
There was also a requirement to obtain a limited grant of representation to enable the deceased’s UK property to be sold, whilst the information for a full grant application was gathered.
Provision of tax planning advice to a former business owner (and his spouse) who had several buy to let properties and a substantial share portfolio.
Separate lifetime discretionary settlements were created for husband and wife so that they could transfer assets out of their estate and into a separate vehicle which would be protected for their children and would, ultimately, save a substantial amount of Inheritance tax upon their deaths.
Wills incorporating separate interest in possessions settlements for each of the properties owned were also created to ensure that there would be capital preservation on those assets after the first death.
Restructured the administration of an estate, by way of Deed of Variation, which resulted in the IHT bill for the estate being reduced by over £470,000.
Away from the office
Being outside with the family is incredibly important. At weekends you will find me walking, cycling, running or paddleboarding with my 6 year old. Travel and music are also big passions. I am a yoga nut and regularly practice Ashtanga Yoga.
