Overseen by the ‘innovative’ Matthew Evans, the ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ team at Hugh James is ‘uniquely experienced in handling a broad range of estates’. The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Eleanor Evans heads up the trusts and administration department and acts for financial institutions and trust corporations across a range of mandates, from commoditised probate applications, to multimillion-pound estates with overseas assets, business or agricultural property and contentious aspects. Austin Gill is also very skilled at administering estates as well as advising on estate planning matters, and Catrin Wigley heads up the estates planning sub group, receiving instructions from high-net-worth clients. Roman Kubiak leads on contentious trusts and probate matters, and Gareth Wisdom focuses on will writing mandates.

The ‘proactive and responsive’ team at Blake Morgan LLP provides a comprehensive service to high-net-worth clients on lifetime planning matters, including wills and trusts drafting, and in relation to estate administration. Team head Lisa Davies is at the forefront of the most complex matters, including the administration of estates involving assets located in multiple jurisdictions, as well as those involving substantial business and agricultural interests. Holly Jones also handles wills and Lasting Power of Attorney drafting issues.

Drawing upon ‘extensive technical knowledge’, Geldards LLP delivers a ‘first-class service’ across the gamut of lifetime planning issues and the subsequent administration of estates. As well as handling work for high-net-worth clients, including those newly wealthy through lottery wins, the ‘outstanding’ Anne Taylor also excels in compensation protection and Court of Protection work. Gillian Crouch is also very skilled at handling estate administration for vulnerable clients, work which she combines with expertise in relation to high-net-worth estates, as well as a growing practice handling work for charities as beneficiaries.

Praised for its ‘exceptional knowledge and personal service’, Howells Solicitors provides ‘very efficient and effective’ advice to clients seeking to preserve their wealth/minimise IHT liabilities, as well as handling often complex estate administrations. ‘Highly competent’ team head Sarah Cash has a ‘very personable approach’, acting for high-net-worth individuals seeking strategic wealth planning advice and elderly/vulnerable clients in relation to will drafting. Laith Khatib‘s experience across both contentious and non-contentious private client work provides added insight to wealthy families on estates and will planning matters.

With practitioners based in Swansea, Cowbridge and Caerphilly, among others, the large team at JCP Solicitors has the strength-in-depth to handle a range of lifetime planning and estates administration work for clients throughout the south, west and east of the country. Team head Chris Shaw excels in handling estates administration work and is regularly appointed to act as an independent administrator in contentious estates; he also has a notable tax planning practice, acting for high-net-worth individuals including sports personalities and musicians. In Carmarthen, Sean Boucher is particularly active in advising farming clients on lifetime planning needs. Swansea-based partner Lynne Morgan heads up the firm’s Court of Protection offering.

Led from its Newport headquarters by Laura Selby, the ’empathetic and responsive’ team at Harding Evans LLP delivers an ‘excellent service’ to clients across the full scope of estate planning and administration needs. Selby is praised for her ‘calm approach to dealing with clients at a stressful time’, and as well as advising on the preparation and administration of wills and trusts. Afonwy Howell-Pryce  and Hannah Thomas are skilled at advising on high-value estates and handling work for vulnerable clients, including on will drafting.

Under the leadership of the ‘knowledgeable and efficient’ David King, Harrison Clark Rickerbys has steadily expanded its private client services to include advice on private wealth disputes, following the arrival in September 2024 of Richard Adams from Douglas-Jones Mercer. On the non-contentious front, as well as advising on will and lifetime trust drafting and estate administration, the team specialises in assisting agricultural clients and owners of digital assets and cyber businesses.

Under the leadership of Katie-Anne Edwards, the ‘responsive, friendly and approachable’ Cardiff-based team at NewLaw Solicitors receives a steady flow of work, assisting clients either in a grant only or a full estate administration context. The team also handles a considerable amount of estate planning and will writing work for Royal College of Nursing members, and also sees Edwards acting as a deputy in relation to Court of Protection work flowing from the firm’s personal injury and clinical negligence offering.

Combining ‘legal expertise with genuine care and empathy’, Red Kite Law LLP is a popular choice for clients throughout south and west Wales seeking advice on estate planning and estate administration. Carmarthen-based team head Mathew Bowen excels in advising on agricultural estates, leveraging deep knowledge of agricultural property relief and IHT planning. Splitting her time between the Bridgend and Porthcawl offices, Emma Priest is praised for her ’empathetic touch’. In Cardiff, the ‘exceptional’ Louise Irvine heads up the firm’s Court of Protection and trusts department and ‘has a genuine commitment to her clients’ well-being’.

Now led by Georgia Evans, following Chris Beames‘ move to work for the firm on a consultancy basis, Berry Smith provides ‘sound guidance’ to high-net-worth clients on lifetime planning issues and on the administration of estates. The team is well-positioned to utilise resources from the property and corporate and commercial practice areas.

The ‘highly professional’ team at RDP Law provides ‘accurate and informative’ advice across a range of trusts and probate work. Team head Sioned Thomas has a particular focus on handling estate administration and succession planning for agricultural clients. Katie Love displays ‘compassion, thoughtfulness and efficiency’, including on Court of Protection matters, and work for elderly clients.