We can provide expert advice to individuals and business owners to help you navigate the complexities of wealth and succession planning. We can assist in developing strategies to preserve and enhance your wealth, ensuring it is passed on to future generations in a tax-efficient manner. This includes advice on establishing trusts, which can protect assets and provide for family members or charitable causes according to your wishes. The team can also guide you through the intricacies of gifting during your lifetime, including the implications for inheritance tax and other potential tax liabilities.

Additionally, our lawyers can help you structure your investments and property holdings to minimise taxes and maximise returns, such as setting up family investment companies. They offer personalised advice tailored to your unique circumstances, including considerations for family business governance and succession planning. By taking proactive steps now, you can ensure that your wealth is managed according to your intentions and that your legacy is preserved for the benefit of your loved ones.

Our expert lawyers offer comprehensive and sensitive support for probate and estate administration. They can assist in obtaining the Grant of Representation (known as a Grant of Probate where the deceased left a valid Will), which legally empowers the executors to manage the deceased's estate. This includes valuing the estate, settling debts and taxes, and distributing the assets to the rightful beneficiaries. Our team ensures that all legal and financial obligations are met, easing the burden during a challenging time, and providing peace of mind that the estate is being handled efficiently and in accordance with the law. We work with trusted third parties to ensure that all of the practical matters of estate administration are dealt with efficiently and cost effectively.

We can also assist beneficiaries with personal succession planning following a bereavement and how best to safeguard any inheritance.

Our lawyers can assist you with Powers of Attorney, ensuring that your interests and those of your loved ones are protected should you become unable to make decisions yourself. They can help you establish a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), which allows you to appoint trusted individuals to make decisions on your behalf regarding your health, welfare, property, and financial affairs. Our team provides clear guidance on the different types of LPAs, the legal requirements, and the registration process to ensure your wishes are respected and legally upheld. We can also prepare specialist LPAs for business owners. 

In cases where an individual has already lost capacity and no LPA is in place, our lawyers can support you in making Court of Protection applications. This court is responsible for making decisions on behalf of those who lack the mental capacity to do so themselves. Our team can assist with applications to appoint a deputy to manage the person's affairs, ensuring that their best interests are represented and their financial and personal welfare needs are met. We handle the intricacies of the application process, providing you with expert advice and support throughout, to achieve a swift and favourable outcome.

Our lawyers can provide expert guidance on domicile and residence issues, crucial for individuals with international ties or complex living arrangements. Understanding the nuances of these concepts is vital for tax purposes, inheritance issues, and legal compliance across multiple jurisdictions. We can assist you in determining your domicile status and residency, advising on the implications for your personal and financial affairs.

Whether you are moving to a new country, buying property abroad, or have assets in multiple regions, our team will ensure you remain compliant with local laws and maximise your tax efficiency. We provide tailored advice to suit your unique circumstances, helping you navigate the complexities of cross-border legal and tax obligations.

We are able to work with our extensive network of foreign offices to provide the best advice and support.

Our lawyers are well-versed in the intricacies of cross-jurisdictional trust advice, offering comprehensive support for clients with international assets and interests. Establishing and managing trusts across different legal systems can be complex, but our team’s expertise ensures that your trust arrangements are legally sound and aligned with your objectives.

We provide advice on the creation and administration of trusts, considering the varying regulatory environments and tax implications in different jurisdictions. Our lawyers work closely with you to structure trusts that protect your assets, provide for beneficiaries, and comply with local and international laws.

Furthermore, we assist with the ongoing management of cross-border trusts, addressing any legal challenges that arise and ensuring trustees fulfil their duties effectively. Whether you need advice on trust formation, asset transfers, or resolving disputes, our team is committed to safeguarding your interests and achieving optimal outcomes.

Our lawyers are skilled at assisting with family business governance, ensuring that your enterprise remains robust and resilient across generations. They provide guidance on establishing governance structures that reflect your family’s values and business objectives, fostering a sense of shared purpose and cooperation among family members.

We can help create and implement family investment companies, shareholder agreements, and succession plans that clearly outline roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes. This proactive approach helps to prevent conflicts and ensures smooth transitions of leadership and ownership. Additionally, our lawyers can facilitate family meetings, providing a neutral perspective and mediating discussions to address sensitive issues and align interests.

By working closely with your family and business leaders, we ensure that governance frameworks are tailored to your unique circumstances, promoting transparency, accountability, and long-term stability for your family enterprise.

Our lawyers possess a wealth of experience in advising on charities and helping clients make a meaningful impact through their charitable activities. From the establishment of charitable trusts and foundations to the ongoing administration and compliance with regulatory requirements, our team provides comprehensive support for all aspects of charitable giving.

We can assist you in defining your philanthropic goals and developing strategies to achieve them, ensuring that your charitable initiatives are effective and sustainable. Our lawyers navigate the legal and tax implications of charitable activities, providing practical solutions that maximise the benefits for both donors and beneficiaries.

In addition to structuring charitable entities, we offer guidance on governance and best practices to ensure that your charity operates transparently and efficiently. We also advise on fundraising activities, grant-making policies, and collaborations with other organisations to enhance the reach and impact of your philanthropic endeavours.

Our team is dedicated to supporting your charitable vision, helping you create a lasting legacy that reflects your values and contributes to the greater good.

Our lawyers are highly skilled at handling wills and trusts disputes, providing expert advice and representation to resolve contentious issues respectfully and efficiently. Whether you are facing a challenge to the validity of a will, a dispute over the interpretation of trust terms, or a disagreement among beneficiaries, our team can navigate these complex matters with sensitivity and professionalism.

We offer a range of services to assist with wills and trusts disputes, including:

• Pre-dispute advice: Helping clients understand their rights and obligations to prevent disputes from arising.
• Mediation and negotiation: Facilitating discussions between parties to reach amicable solutions without the need for court intervention.
• Litigation: Representing clients in court proceedings when disputes cannot be resolved through alternative means.
• Estate and trust administration support: Assisting executors and trustees in fulfilling their duties and mitigating potential conflicts.

Our approach is tailored to each client’s unique situation, aiming to preserve family relationships and protect the interests of all parties involved. By combining legal expertise with a compassionate understanding of personal dynamics, we strive to achieve fair and just outcomes for our clients. 

Our Contentious Trusts and Probate team is currently ranked Tier 1 in the North West (Legal 500) and is ranked for Private Wealth Disputes in Chambers and Partners' High Net Worth Guide.