The private client group at Addleshaw Goddard in Manchester has extensive expertise advising high and ultra-high-net-worth clients, such as families, family offices, and trusts, on the full range of personal tax, trusts, and probate work. The group has a particular focus on business owners and family businesses, and is particularly sought after for its corporate capabilities, as well as its expertise in complex tax advice and international work. National head of the private client team Yorke Eaton specialises in complex trust issues and has significant experience advising trustees on duties and liabilities, especially on issues involving business assets. The group also includes Jane Shaw, who advises on a broad range of issues relating to wills, trusts, estates, and succession planning, and has particular expertise in work with overseas assets and assisting non-UK domiciled clients on inheritance tax planning, and Laura Woffinden in Leeds who has a broad private client practice with a particular interest in the use of trusts in corporate and commercial transactions.

With specialist expertise advising family investment companies, the private client group at Brabners LLP handles the full range of personal tax, trusts, and probate-related work. In Liverpool,  the ‘exceptional head of department' Duncan Bailey is particularly knowledgeable in trusts and tax planning for families, entrepreneurs, and business owners, and he also advises professional trustees. Louise Scholes has a broad practice with expertise in wills, IHT planning, estate administration, and trusts, while Sarah Murphy is ‘a very safe pair of hands for complex estates’. Mark Feeny focuses on tax planning, trusts, wills, and estates, and Amanda Bailey is a ‘go-to person for all complex trust issues'; both have unique expertise in family investment companies. Another key contact is Steven Appleton in Manchester, whose expertise in personal estate planning is ‘second-to-none‘.

The ‘high-profile and well-respected practice' at Hill Dickinson LLP in Liverpool advises high-net-worth clients, typically business owners, on the full range of wealth structuring and succession planning. The group has particular expertise in inheritance tax planning, asset protection, and family investment companies, and has extensive experience advising on matters with an international element. Practice head Fionnuala Kenny is an expert trust and estate practitioner who has considerable experience advising a broad range of business owners on complex estate planning. Paul Baker, who is a specialist in capital tax planning for UK and non-UK domiciled high-net-worth clients, and who also advises on complex wills, estate, and succession planning with a particular emphasis on international matters, is also a key contact.

Boutique Court of Protection firm Hugh Jones Solicitors in Manchester has a ‘client-focused practice that strives to deliver a faultless service‘. With unique expertise handling professional deputy appointments, and in addition to its property and affairs deputyship work, the group has extensive experience with contentious matters such as contested deputyship and financial abuse investigations. The Court of Protection team is led by Chris Gallagher, who is ‘a true gentleman‘ and specialises in cases involving foreign properties and jurisdictions, challenges to the validity of powers of attorney, and challenges to deputies. The group also includes Court of Protection and mental capacity expert Hugh Jones, Elizabeth Hughes, and Catherine Eassom, who is sought after as an expert witness in Court of Protection and mental capacity cases, and is also ‘an excellent deputyship expert‘. Led by Charlotte Crawford, the firm’s private client team has particular expertise in estate administration work and matters including elderly clients and mental capacity concerns.

JMW Solicitors LLP in Manchester provides specialist private client advice to high and ultra-high-net-worth clients, with particular expertise in family investment companies, trust planning, and restructuring, and cases involving multi-jurisdictional assets. The firm also has a knowledgeable Court of Protection group that handles all types of deputyship issues, including local authority cases, investigations, and expert witness work. The practice is co-led by the ‘fantastic' Joe Cobb, who is an expert in providing tax, estate, and succession planning advice to clients, and particularly to owner-managed businesses and corporate vehicles, and Megan Christie-Copeland, who heads the Court of Protection department and ‘has expert knowledge in the best practice around deputyships’. Other notable practitioners include the ‘knowledgeable, highly responsive and very client focused' Andrew Cusworth, who specialises in a broad range of work relating to individuals who lack mental capacity, and Rebecca Brown, who advises on all aspects of mental capacity work.'

Described as ‘personable, friendly and client centric', Kuit Steinart Levy LLP primarily advises business and property owners, as well as their families, on the full range of tax and estate planning matters. The group has specialist knowledge handling matters involving tax investigations, personal injury trusts, and cross-border assets. Practice head Paul Bricknell in Manchester has particular expertise in succession planning for family businesses, family investment companies, and employee ownership trusts. The group also includes Graham Wood, ‘whose knowledge and experience in the field of taxation is impressive‘, tax and estate planning specialist Lauren Clyne, and the ‘exceptionally good' Elaine Roche, who advises on a broad range of issues relating to wills and tax structuring, as well as assisting families on trusts and estate administration. Tasoula Addison, who advises high-net-worth clients on complex estate work, is also a key contact.

Praised for its ability to ‘understand the unique needs of owner-managed family businesses’, the Manchester-based private client team at Mills & Reeve LLP provides a broad range of private wealth legal and tax advice to high-net-worth clients, including on succession and tax planning, complex estates and trusts, and family investment companies. Clients benefit from the firm’s full-service offering, with expertise in related areas such as property, agriculture, and commercial law. The practice is co-led by Deborah Clark, who specialises in estate planning for business owners, entrepreneurs, landed estates, and individuals, and is also an expert in family businesses, and Christopher Noel, who joined from DWF in September 2023 where he was the former head of the private capital team in the north west. The group also includes Zahra Siddiqui, who provides ‘a helpful, efficient and knowledgeable service' in protective wills, trust structures and various other lifetime tax planning measures, and is also experienced in assets involving multiple jurisdictions, and Charlotte Shaughnessy, who advises on estate planning and business succession, and has particular expertise in tax planning issues.

Characterised as ‘always thinking outside of the box and leaving no stone unturned', the seasoned private client team at Aaron & Partners LLP in Chester advises high-net-worth clients on high-value tax and estate planning, and has particular expertise in handling cases involving business and farming assets. Leading the group, the ‘friendly, pragmatic and knowledgeable' Clive Pointon is an expert in Court of Protection work and has extensive experience assisting clients with solutions to inheritance tax problems. The group also includes James Wallace, who advises clients on a broad range of issues surrounding wills, tax, and estate planning, and Rowena Ridgway, who focuses on estate planning and estate administration. The ‘technically brilliant' Paul Caslin, who has expertise in estate planning advice, is also a key contact.

With extensive experience in the drafting and administration of wills and inheritance tax planning, the private client lawyers at Butcher & Barlow LLP advise a broad range of clients. Leading the group from Gadbrook Park is Tim Bailey, who is ‘very knowledgeable in his subject area' and advises high-net-worth agricultural clients, such as farmers and business owners, on issues relating to the administration of estates and trusts. Chris Hopkins in Bury provides ‘invaluable advice and support' on the administration and creation of trusts, and also has expertise advising on family investment companies, while Samuel Dale in Sandbach advises clients on wills, probate, and trusts, as well as on matters involving lasting powers of attorney and Court of Protection applications. Another key contact is Helen Chadderton in Bramhall, who is ‘highly knowledgeable, hard working and delivers exemplary client service'.

Praised by clients as having ‘one of the most knowledgeable teams in the area', Clarke Willmott LLP in Manchester advises on the full range of matters relating to general wills, inheritance tax, trusts, and probate. The group also has specialist knowledge in advising on complex tax planning, Court of Protection matters, and the creation and administration of charities, in addition to handling cross-border estates and off-shore trusts. Practice head Paul Davies in Manchester is ‘an exceptional lawyer' who specialises in lifetime estate planning and tax mitigation. The group also includes Rebecca Clarke, who has particular expertise in cross-border estate administration and charities, and who ‘always takes time to understand the full context of the advice requested'.

Operating out of Liverpool and Chester, DTM Legal LLP has a ‘polished and professional team that is friendly and client-focused‘ with extensive experience advising high-net-worth individuals on both contentious and non-contentious private client matters. The group has expertise establishing family investment companies, as well as advising on complex estate planning matters and trust and probate administration. Richard Thomas is a ‘savvy litigator‘ who heads the trusts and estates department, and he primarily advises clients on contentious probate issues. Heather Lally ‘stands out in the team with her tenacity and technical ability‘, and she advises business owners, agricultural property owners, and high-net-worth individuals on the administration of complex estates and trusts, foreign property, and succession planning. Rachel Talbot and Stephen Mackellar are also key contacts in the trusts and estates team.

Myerson Solicitors in Altrincham puts ‘high-quality tax advice at the centre of its practice’ and acts for both domestic and international high-net-worth individuals across the entire gamut of wills, trust, and estate planning work. As a full-service firm, the group can also draw on the expertise of the corporate, agriculture, and employment teams to provide a holistic service to clients. The practice is co-led by Bik-ki Wong, who can ‘be relied upon to provide good quality advice and practical solutions to the thorniest of problems', particularly in the areas of inheritance tax mitigation, wills, and complex estate and trusts issues. Clara Staunton is another notable name, and she specialises in the administration of estates and trusts, as well as in advising on wills and tax planning.

Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand in Lancaster has a group of ‘highly competent and professional solicitors' who advise on all aspects of personal tax and estate planning, as well as on the administration of estates and trusts. Practice head Clare Love is praised as ‘a consummate professional who cares deeply about the welfare and aims of her clients', and she specialises in both property and private client work, with a particular focus on agricultural land, estates, and succession planning. The group also includes Mark Hutchinson Lyons who is a specialist in private client matters, encompassing tax planning, trust, and estate-related advice, and who also has a particular interest in trust work. Laura Brereton advises on all aspects of private client work.

SAS Daniels LLP has a ‘very competent and broad practice for all aspects of trust and probate work', and regularly advises clients on the full range of wills and wealth planning, estate administration, trusts, and personal taxation. The group is sought after for dealing with clients who are elderly and issues relating to care and mental capacity. Practice head Justine Clowes in Macclesfield specialises in wills and wealth planning, and has particular expertise in mental capacity work and acting for elderly clients. The ‘extremely knowledgeable and personal' Helen Kelly in Stockport is an expert in trusts and frequently acts as a professional trustee.

Praised for its ‘knowledge, expertise and the team’s strength in depth‘, Weightmans LLP in Manchester acts for a broad range of high-net-worth clients in personal tax, trusts, and probate matters. The group has particular expertise advising business owners on structuring their personal affairs, such as succession planning and exit strategies, and trust administration and tax work, as well as handling cases with international elements. The practice is led by estate planning and tax mitigation expert Richard Bate, who is ‘fantastic with clients and commercially aware‘. The ‘personable, understanding and professional‘ Sally Cook, who advises clients on a broad range of issues in wills, trusts, and estates, is also a notable practitioner.

Led by Jane Burbidge, Forbes Solicitors in Preston provides ‘a high level of service' in all aspects of wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney, and Court of Protection work. The group has particular expertise in estate planning for high-net-worth individuals. The group also includes trusts expert  Victoria Motley, who specialises in tax and estate planning for individuals and businesses, and Elizabeth Whitaker, who goes ‘above and beyond' for clients and is particularly experienced in probate matters.

With expertise in international matters, the private client lawyers at Glaisyers Solicitors LLP in Manchester are ‘dynamic and think outside the box to come up with practical solutions’. The group specialises in advising high-net-worth individuals and family business on the full range of estate planning issues, including will drafting, trusts, and estate administration. Practice head Chris Burrows has particular expertise in cross-border estates, and he is ably supported by Charlotte Hardie, who has a particular interest in the administration of estates and Court of Protection work, and ‘is thorough and diligent when working through a tricky probate query'.

With cross-border capabilities, the Stockport-based private client team at Gorvins Solicitors advises family business owners and other high-net-worth clients on the full range of matters across wills, trusts, and probate. The group also has expertise handling Court of Protection work. Practice head Michael Smoult has extensive experience advising on will preparation, estate administration, and inheritance tax planning, while Julie Burgess has a ‘knowledgeable and considerate approach to client matters' relating to wills, lasting powers of attorney, and tax planning.

Irwin Mitchell in Manchester is ‘very knowledgeable’ in all aspects of wealth and succession planning, with a particular focus on advising clients who are business owners, farmers, and those who lack capacity. Practice head Christine Thornley has extensive experience in wills, trusts, and probate matters, and regularly advises family businesses on succession planning and wealth protection, as well as having niche expertise advising families who have children with additional needs. The group also includes Charlotte Pritchard, who joined from Clyde & Co in September 2023, and she specialises in the administration and taxation of trusts and estates. Another key name is Fiona Bushell, who has particular experience handling matters for clients with a foreign element to their estate.

The wills, trusts, and probate team at MLP Law LLP in Manchester is praised as ‘very reliable and committed to doing their best for their client'. The ‘very knowledgeable and highly competent' practice head Jane Hunter has extensive experience in all private client matters, and frequently advises business owners, high-net-worth individuals, and agricultural clients on how to structure their wills in tax efficient ways. The group also includes Doris Raggatt, who specialises in high-value wills, estate planning, and estate administration, and is also experienced in handling power of attorney and Court of Protection matters.

The Court of Protection team at Price Slater Gawne in Chester is ‘not afraid to make difficult decisions and always support clients in their best interests‘. The group has unique expertise in professional deputy appointments for clients who lack capacity due to personal injury, mental health conditions, or medical negligence. Leading the practice, Gareth Williams ‘works in a very client-centred manner' and specialises in property and affairs deputyships, as well as being experienced in wealth management and estate planning.

Led by the ‘extremely adept' estate planning and wealth protection expert Tasnim Khalid, Private Client Solicitors in Manchester is sought after for its specialist advice to high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Praised as ‘one of the top teams in the north west‘, the group also has capabilities in inheritance tax planning, charity law and Court of Protection work, and routinely handles clients with assets overseas. The team also includes the ‘excellent' Paul Gotch, who has specialist knowledge in estate planning and regularly advises clients who have been awarded large personal injury and clinical negligence settlements, and Nicola Walker, who acts for high-net-worth individuals in all aspects of private client work.

The wills, trusts, and probate team at Slater Heelis in Sale is ‘comprehensive in terms of its size, breadth of knowledge and experience', and is well equipped to assist clients with a broad range of services relating to the creation of trusts and wills, as well as estate management. The group has particular expertise in probate matters, and is experienced in handling clients with assets overseas. The ‘extremely knowledgeable' practice head Alex Sealy specialises in inheritance tax exposure and strategies to limit tax liability, as well as in preparing complex wills and trusts.

Described as a firm with a ‘modern and forward-thinking approach‘, Temple Heelis in Kendal advises a variety of high-net-worth individuals and families who often have assets in multiple jurisdictions. The group is particularly knowledgeable in wills and estate planning, succession advice, and Court of Protection work. Practice head Robert Kornas is ‘excellent' and acts for high-net-worth clients with complex family or business circumstances. The group also includes James Hamilton, who is experienced in a broad range of family structures and asset types, as well as being highly capable in complex tax planning and trust structures, and Laura Priestley, who has expertise across the entire range of wills, tax, and estate planning matters, in addition to Court of Protection work.