Private Client - Wills, LPAs and Trusts

For the complete care and protection of families and their assets, DMH Stallard’s private client team supports clients with sensitivity, precision and expertise.

Our team has the experience to guide you at every turn: from making a will to handling the affairs of a loved one who has passed away; ensuring the welfare of elderly or vulnerable relatives, to providing for effective tax and succession planning for a family business.

With offices in London, Brighton, Crawley, Guildford, and Horsham we support clients throughout the south of England in locations which are convenient and accessible for either their home or place of work.

"All the work that has been carried out for me, both personally and for the clients which I have introduced, has been handled in a first class and professional manner. In over 30 years there have been no problems, issues or negative comments."

Legal500 2023

What we do

 

What they say

"The team are professional, experienced, and efficient. They are fully up to date with the latest thinking and practice and are friendly and supportive of the client."

Legal 500 UK 2024

How we do it

 

Protecting your family’s welfare and assets is something that matters to us all.

Our specialist solicitors respond to that need with a proven and effective service for wealth protection and management, family businesses and the management of the affairs of the elderly and vulnerable.

We work closely with clients, their families and other professional advisers to achieve a whole-life view of care, wealth management, tax and inheritance issues based on each client’s individual financial and family circumstances, their long term goals and priorities.

It is an approach which allows us to provide proactive and long-term advice and support rather than a short-term matter-by-matter response.

Only by making this commitment to our clients are we able to offer clear, practical and assured recommendations for the protection of their family and assets.

Above all else, ours is a personal service delivered by a down-to-earth, dedicated team.

Good communication is always a priority, with clear and pragmatic advice given in a way which makes it easy to understand.

Alongside the estate planning, wills and estate administration services which are required by the majority of clients, we also offer strong expertise in a number of specialist areas – drawing where necessary on the huge depth of skills and experience of our colleagues across DMH Stallard.

These matters might include the administration of estates with foreign or private business assets; the specialist inheritance tax and capital gains tax issues which can affect smooth transition and asset protection within a family business; or the often complex legal issues regarding trusts, mental health and social care, where family members may need to make difficult decisions regarding the welfare of older and vulnerable people.

Key Contacts

Lorna Fairbairn
Michael Derrick
Nadia Cowdrey

Lorna Fairbairn

Partner
Head of Private Client Department, a specialist in estate planning and advising families
Brighton - Jubilee St, Brighton - Old Steine & London

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View Lorna's Profile

Michael Derrick

Partner
Expert advisor on estate administration, will drafting and inheritance tax planning
Guildford

Email Michael
View Michael's Profile

Nadia Cowdrey

Partner
Specialises in high net worth estate planning. Head of Private Client, Sussex
Brighton - Old Steine

Email Nadia
View Nadia's Profile
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Further reading

£5,000 fine if you’re in hot water with HMRC and don’t even know it?

Blog
08/02/2024
Three common scenarios that require registration with the Trust Registration Service (TRS) established by HMRC that you may have missed
Read more Read

Tax change has a knock-on effect on gifts to charities abroad

Blog
29/01/2024
A growing number of estates are now subject to inheritance tax (IHT), after the government declined to update the so-called “nil rate band”
Read more Read

A lesson in the rectification of wills following clerical error

Blog
20/09/2023
A look back at the case of Mr & Mrs Rawlings, the first inheritance dispute case to reach the Supreme Court
Read more Read

Five issues for charities to consider when left funds by a testator

Blog
11/09/2023
Are you aware of the issues you may face when leaving funds to a charity in your will? Make sure you get it right
Read more Read
  • Brighton - Jubilee St

    1 Jubilee Street

    Brighton

    East Sussex

    BN1 1GE

  • Brighton - Old Steine

    47 Old Steine

    Brighton

    East Sussex

    BN1 1NW

  • Gatwick

    Griffin House

    135 High Street

    Crawley

    West Sussex

    RH10 1DQ

  • Guildford

    Wonersh House

    The Guildway

    Old Portsmouth Road

    Guildford

    Surrey

    GU3 1LR

  • Hassocks

    32 Keymer Road

    Hassocks

    West Sussex

    BN6 8AL

  • Horsham

    3rd Floor

    Afon Building

    Worthing Road

    Horsham

    West Sussex

    RH12 1TL

  • London

    6 New Street Square

    New Fetter Lane

    London

    EC4A 3BF

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