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Private Client Law

Barrett & Co has a busy Private Client team, headed by Hilary Buckle and assisted by Emma-Jane Kurtz , who are able to advise on a wide range of matters to assist clients who wish to arrange their financial and personal affairs, ensuring that things are in order both during their lifetimes and after their deaths.

The changes in the economy over the last two years have given many people, particularly those relying on the future value of their pensions and investments, cause for concern. The ageing population also means that issues affecting older people will become increasingly important in the future.

Wills and trusts play an important part in ensuring that assets pass to specific beneficiaries and appropriate use of Wills and trusts can reduce the necessity of assets being used to pay for residential care. In addition to making a Will, it is equally important to ensure that you have made provision for the management of your affairs during your lifetime, should you be unable manage these yourself due to illness or infirmity.

Our specialised team, can advise on all matters relating to Wills,the administration of estates, relevant tax and trust matters, planning for future care and other matters including Lasting Powers of Attorney, applications to the Court of Protection and advising on contentious Probate matters.

The main areas with which we deal are

• Wills including;
  • single Wills
  • mirror Wills for couples
  • Wills incorporating trusts for special circumstances
  • Statutory Wills for people who have lost capacity and do not have a Will
  • Inheritance Tax planning
• Trusts including;
  • Lifetime trusts
  • Will trusts
• Probate and the administration of estates including;
  • estates with foreign assets
  • intestacy (where a person dies without a valid Will)
  • disputed probate issues
  • Deeds of Variation
• Lasting Powers of Attorney for both financial and health & welfare matters
• Registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney
• Court of Protection applications for financial and health matters
• Advising elderly clients on matters including;
  • information on care at home
  • claiming benefits
  • NHS Continuing healthcare funding
• Financial abuse of vulnerable persons

For further information please contact the Private Client team by telephone or email or arrange an appointment to meet with one of our solicitors at either our Reading Berkshire or Blewbury Oxfordshire offices.