Addleshaw Goddard‘s Manchester-based private capital team provides a broad range of private wealth, probate and tax advice, frequently handling complex issues such as the establishment and running of trust companies, alongside counselling on offshore trusts, domicile and tax issues, while continuing with ongoing planning advice. Among the firm’s client roster are ultra-high net worth individuals, families, family offices and trusts. Yorke Eaton leads the practice and frequently acts on behalf of trusts and trustees on their duties and liabilities, as well as the creation of trusts in corporate transactions. Jane Shaw is another key name in Manchester and clients highlight that ‘there is nothing she does not know about taxation and domicile issues’. Polly Bradley and Iain Poole are further key practitioners.

Praised as a ‘fantastic professional group of people, from top to bottom’, the private client team at Brabners LLP remains a popular choice for ultra-high-net-worth individuals for complex estate planning issues, tax planning, will drafting and probate administration. Four partners lead the group, including regional overall head Duncan Bailey, who has a broad estate planning practice, Sarah Murphy, who is well versed in will drafting and succession planning as well as Court of Protection and trusts matters, while Louise Scholes handles IHT planning, wills, trust and estate administration, and Steven Appleton focuses on estate and tax planning advice to family business owners. Mark Feeny often advises landed estate families and has expertise in family investment companies, meanwhile Amanda Bailey regularly acts as a trustee in high value estates and Rachel James is praised as ‘outstanding’.

Advising both local and national business owners, HNW individuals, landowners and sports and media personalities on wealth structuring and tax planning, Hill Dickinson LLP is praised for ‘always providing excellent advice’. The team has extensive knowledge in inheritance tax mitigation, which includes advice on the establishment of family investment companies, trust reorganisations, estate administration as well as acting on contentious probate matters. Liverpool-based Fionnuala Kenny heads up the team and is a regular advisor of HNW clients on inheritance tax and succession planning and UK trusts. Paul Baker advises owner managed businesses and charities on cross-border capital tax and succession planning, whilst Susan Sherry provides wills, trusts and estate planning for UK-based clients. Katie Austin, who was made partner in July 2024, oversees the establishment of new trusts, deputyship applications and counsels deputies and attorneys.

Specialising in property and affairs deputyship work in the Court of Protection (CoP), Hugh Jones Solicitors is adept at the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters, including contested deputyships and financial abuse investigations, as well as expert witness work in personal injury and clinical negligence cases. The team is led by a trio of practitioners: Chris Gallagher, who specialises in contested CoP matters; Charlotte Crawford, who is an expert on trust administration and validity, wills and probate administration; and Catherine Eassom, who handles CoP and mental capacity work. Hugh Jones is a preeminent CoP expert, while Elizabeth Hughes' broad practice includes advice on financial abuse investigations, CoP applications and acting as an expert witness. David Jones is experienced in financial conduct investigations and Jill Rushton specialises in personal injury and clinical negligence CoP cases. Dale Shimwell joined the team in September 2024 from Wright and Lord.

The ‘large and well-resourced team’ at JMW Solicitors LLP covers a broad range of estate, tax and succession matters for ultra-high net worth individuals, including family business owners, property developers and landowners, institutional clients and professional trustees. The team’s regular instructions include trust planning and restructuring, the establishment of asset protection vehicles, deputyship and Court of Protection matters, as well as domicile and residency issues and litigation. The practice is jointly led by Joe Cobb and Megan Christie-Copeland, with the former specialising in acting for owner-managed businesses and corporate vehicles and the latter supports vulnerable adult clients on estate and asset management, as well as any contentious issues arising from allegations of wrongdoing. In the team Andrew Cusworth handles cross-border deputyship matters, Rebecca Brown is frequently in the CoP covering personal injury and clinical negligence related claims, while Laura Bywater – who joined the practice in September 2024- primarily handles estate and succession planning for HNW individuals. Further team changes include the addition of Danielle Carter, who joined the practice in August 2024 from Jackson Lees Group, while Chris Dennis left in May 2024.

Kuit Steinart Levy LLP acts for a significant proportion of the region's HNW business and property owners as well as leading sports personalities, providing guidance on the full range of tax and estate planning issues, including those related to personal injury trusts and probate. Paul Bricknell leads the Manchester-based team and has specialist knowledge in employee ownership trusts and family investment companies. Graham Wood handles tax planning for high value estates, in particular inheritance tax and income tax, Lauren Clyne covers probate matters with an overseas connection, and Elaine Roche oversees trust and estate administration, charity creation and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Further key members of the team include Tasoula Addison, who regularly advises elderly and vulnerable clients of tax and estate matters, while David Chambers is adept in personal injury related financial planning.

Mills & Reeve LLP fields a large team with significant experience advising ultra-high-net-worth clients, entrepreneurs with links to family businesses and landed estate clients. The group covers all aspects of succession planning, in particular advising on the establishment of family investment companies, cross-border probate issues, tax planning and estate planning. The team is jointly headed up by Deborah Clark, who is an expert in family investment companies, and Christopher Noel, whose broad practice encompasses advice on tax planning, wealth protection and estate planning. Zahra Siddiqui advises a range of HNW individuals and sports people on their wills, trust structures and tax planning measures and Charlotte Shaughnessy covers inheritance tax planning, business relief options and further general estate planning and business succession mandates.

Aaron & Partners LLP, based in Chester, covers all aspects of estate administration and tax planning, including matters of inheritance tax, business property relief, nil rate band trusts, and capital tax. Clive Pointon leads the team and advises HNW individuals and their financial advisors on a range of deputyship, wills, tax and trusts issues. James Wallace handles non-contentious estate, tax and wills advice, next to his active disputes practice, and Rowena Ridgway covers estate administration, particularly in instances where a deputy needs to be appointed by the Court of Protection. Paul Caslin is described as ‘incredible at what he does’.

Providing a ‘personalised, professional and efficient service’ Butcher & Barlow LLP, covers all aspects of estate and trust administration, succession planning and probate for a range of HNW individuals, agricultural estates and business owners. Tim Bailey leads the team and advises clients with businesses or agricultural assets on all estate and trust administration matters. Christopher Hopkins has experience in setting up family investment companies and handles long-term care planning, while Philip Jennings is well versed in Court of Protection applications. Helen Chadderton and Samuel Dale cover a range of wills, probate, trusts and lasting powers of attorney work and Benjamin Davenport-Lawton frequently handles cross-border estate administration.

Clarke Willmott LLP is a popular choice for HNW individuals seeking assistance with wills, trusts, probate and inheritance tax advice, including those with cross-border estates. The team based in the North West is led by Paul Davies, who has extensive experience in estate planning, inheritance tax mitigation and offshore and onshore trusts. Further key team members include Rebecca Clarke, who handles cross-border estate administration and charities, while Carolyn Watson is well versed in will drafting and lasting powers of attorney matters.

The ‘very well respected’ Stockport-based wills, trust and probate team at Gorvins Solicitors regularly drafts family business wills, advises families of disabled beneficiaries on tax planning and Court of Protection matters for dementia patients, with their matters often concerning cross-border assets. Practice head Michael Smoult has extensive experience advising family businesses on tax planning, estate administration and statutory will applications. Julie Burgess handles wills, lasting powers of attorney and tax planning advice, whilst the further supporting team members include Samantha Kennedy, who joined the team in May 2024. Almas Patankar left the practice in May 2025.

The wills, trusts and probate team at MLP Law LLP, headed by Jane Hunter with support from Doris Raggatt, covers business will drafting, inheritance tax planning, vulnerable persons trusts and Court of Protection work. The team is also regularly involved in cross-border matters. Samantha Kennedy left the firm and joined Gorvins Solicitors in May 2024.

Myerson Solicitors is frequently engaged by HNW individuals to handle all aspects of estate and inheritance tax planning, including advising on alternative business set ups and investment vehicles, while also handling issues of domicile and residency for cross-border estates. Bik-ki Wong leads the practice and is highly regarded for her expertise in IHT, wills, complex estate and trusts matters. Further key private wealth experts in the team include Clara Staunton, Simon Cieluch, Laura Willis and Aalia Ijaz. Sarah Pull left the team in September 2024.

Oglethorpe Sturton & Gillibrand ’s long established private client department advises multigenerational families, including landowners, business owners and HNW individuals, on tax planning, estate and trust administration, including those with cross-border elements. The team- based in and around Lancaster- is led by Clare Love, whose broad expertise encompasses will drafting, tax and estate planning and trust and estate administration, while receiving support from Mark Hutchinson Lyons, who has extensive experience in all aspects of trusts. Laura Brereton is a further key practitioner.

Praised for its ‘range and depth of skill’, which it combines ‘with a personal touch’, Private Client Solicitors continues to advise a range of HNW individuals and international family offices on a range of estate planning, inheritance tax planning, charity law business succession planning and trust structuring matters. The practice is based in Manchester and is led by Tasnim Khalid, who has extensive estate and wealth planning experience and excels on cross-border mandates and those concerning Shariah law. Paul Gotch offers wealth planning for those who have received personal injury and clinical negligence awards, and Nicola Walker handles probate, wills, lifetime planning and trusts advice. Lucy Fairey and Michelle Tonge are also noted.

The private client team at SAS Daniels LLP advises clients on wills and wealth planning, estate and trusts administration, tax planning, as well as handling long-term care funding, deputyship and Court of Protection work. Practice head Helen Kelly focuses on all aspects of trusts advice, and is supported by Helen Gowin, who advises on high value cross-border estate administration. Genevieve Powrie handles deputyship and CoP work for elderly and vulnerable clients, as well as wills expert Vicky Timothy. Powrie was made partner in November 2024 and Ben Tyer joined the practice from GLP Solicitors in August 2024.

Praised for being ‘consistently excellent’ Weightmans LLP has a strong track record advising business owners on a range of estate and trust planning, inheritance tax planning, family investment companies and business protection matters. Leading the national practice is Richard Bate, who is based in Manchester and handles various tax mitigation, asset structures and succession planning. Sally Cook and Lorraine Wilson are key members of the department and have extensive experience across trust and estate planning and will preparation. Suzannah Lindon-Morris joined the team in March 2024 from Russell-Cooke LLP and will bolster the department on wills and estate administration mandates.

DTM Legal LLP fields a ‘knowledgeable, experienced, friendly and forward-thinking team’ with expertise in tax and estate planning for HNW individuals with business and agricultural interests, as well as landed estates. The team is jointly led by private client disputes expert Richard Thomas and Heather Lally, who handles the non-contentious advice, regularly assisting business and agricultural property owners, HNW individuals and trustees on estate and trust administration and was made partner in April 2024. Rachel Talbot left the team in June 2024 and Stephen Mackellar left the team in January 2025, while John Marshall joined the team from Hibberts LLP in January 2025, who will bolster this department.

Forbes Solicitors acts for a range of HNW individuals and SME business owners, providing guidance on probate, wills, the establishment of various trust types, wealth planning and complex and contentious estate administrations. Jane Burbidge heads up the team and has a broad practice, covering estate and tax planning, as well as will and trust drafting. Elizabeth Whitaker is an expert in probate issues and Rebecca Rushworth often advises elderly and vulnerable clients on wills, trusts and probate. Both are key practitioners based in the Northwest.

Clients continue to turn to the private client team at Glaisyers ETL as they make ‘each step and stage clearly understandable’. The team assists HNW individuals and family business owners on a range of estate administration, including cross-border succession planning, tax planning, probate and complex intestate matters. Practice head Chris Burrows has extensive experience in trust creation and administration and cross-border estate planning. Charlotte Hardie and Iya Hashim are adept at handling intestacy matters.

Harrison Drury & Co’s private client team provides a ‘thorough and effective service’ to their established client roster, comprising landed estates, ultra-high-net-worth clients, business clients and celebrities. The team is adept in the establishment of various trusts, inheritance and capital gains tax planning and will drafting. Clare Fleming leads the team and excels across all aspects of will drafting, lasting power of attorney, IHT planning and trust and estate administration. Jan Wright is also a highly experienced practitioner and is praised for her ‘impressive technical knowledge’.

Irwin Mitchell advises on wills, trusts, powers of attorney and tax planning, including inheritance tax advice, while being particularly adept in matters relating to vulnerable beneficiaries. The team is led by Christine Thornley, whose specialism is intergenerational succession planning, particularly for families that have children with additional needs. Charlotte Pritchard and Fiona Bushell are further key contacts in the department.

Price Slater Gawne has a particular focus on wealth and succession planning, wills and probate, tax planning as well as sensitive and complex Court of Protection matters, including medical negligence and personal injury deputyship matters. The team in Chester is led by Gareth Williams, who is singled out for ‘his depth of knowledge and easy-going demeanour’, with Nina Sperring providing additional support to the practice.

Slater Heelis (Part of Lawfront) handles a diverse range of complex matters relating to wills and probate, and estates and wills administration, including those with various tax issues and contentious elements. Practice head Alex Sealy specialises in all aspects of inheritance tax advice and mitigation strategies, as well as personal injury trusts, charities and probate advice. Zoe Peeling and Victoria Kaufman are also noted.

The ‘friendly and approachable’ team at Temple Heelis advise ultra-high-net-worth individuals who are based both locally in the Lake District and nationally, on estate planning, wills, inheritance tax planning, trusts and powers of attorney. Practice head Robert Kornas has experience advising clients with assets in other jurisdictions and with complex family circumstances on drafting their wills and administering their estates. James Hamilton and Laura Priestley are actively involved in the practice and have recently advised a number of clients on capital gains tax or inheritance tax liabilities in the lead up to the October 2024 Budget.