Welcome from the editor
A warm welcome to the Winter 2018/19 edition of In Trust. In this issue we bring together a range of articles to highlight how we can work with you to protect and preserve your assets for future generations.
Partner and elder law specialist, Ann Stanyer, looks at the importance of a letter of wishes for your Lasting Power of Attorney (“LPA”), an accompanying document which is often overlooked but that can ensure your views and feelings about your affairs are protected and respected by your attorneys. On a related theme, in our regular “Ask Ollie” column, Senior Associate Oliver Embley discusses the test of capacity to make a Will and why it is important to make sure that elderly relatives meet this test before they make or update their Will.
We are living in uncertain times – Senior Associate Kate Johnson looks at what individuals can do in the wake of Brexit and a possible change of government to protect and preserve their assets including making use of the current tax regimes and rates before any potential changes are introduced. Staying with politics, earlier this year Philip Hammond commissioned a review by the Office of Tax Simplification into three aspects of Britain’s so-called “most hated” tax – inheritance tax (“IHT”) – and Solicitor Andrew McIntyre discusses why changes to IHT may be on the cards and what owners of business assets can do to make use of IHT Business Property Relief ahead of any reforms.
The Private Client team works closely with Wedlake Bell’s Family team on many aspects of estate planning, one of which is wealth preservation on marriage and divorce. In this edition, Family
Team Partner Conrad Adam writes with Private Client Team Partner Jenny Cutts on preserving family wealth by using pre-nuptial agreements and pre/post-marital Wills.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome and introduce you to Matthew Braithwaite who has recently joined as a Partner in the Private Client team and features in our regular interview column in this issue. Matthew joins us from another top 100 law firm and is Deputy Chair of the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Business Families Special Interest Group, having particular expertise in advising family businesses as well as acting for high net worth and international individuals.
We look forward to advising you soon.
Contents
- Is your LPA fit for purpose?
- Relief for business assets – is change around the corner?
- Profile – Matthew Braithwaite (Q&A)
- Ask Ollie
- Keeping wealth in the family: Pre-nuptial agreements and wills
- Planning to achieve certainty in uncertain times
- Stop press
Awards/nominations
- Finalist
Private Client Legal Team of the Year (midsize firm) in the STEP Private Client Awards 2018/19 - Camilla Wallace
Shortlisted for Lawyer of the Year and Woman of the Year in the Citywealth Magic Circle Awards 2019