Private Client Solicitors

We handle your personal affairs as if they were our own

A private client solicitor recognises the importance of listening to you when it comes to helping you achieve your estate planning goals.

Having lost a loved one, you may need to call on a private client solicitor in the most difficult of times. Our experts are on hand to guide you through the technicalities of administering an estate and, when necessary, put sensible steps in place to protect your inheritance for the benefit of future generations. We also have extensive experience in client law, preparing wills and succession planning.

Our experts look after individuals and families on all aspects of personal wealth. We appreciate that your concerns and objectives are unique to you. Complex tax and trust regimes that impact on our personal lives, can make it feel like an uphill struggle to safeguard your wealth for you and your family. Our private client solicitors can simplify matters for you.

We listen to what you want to achieve and we present you with a range of tailored options and solutions. But we don't stop there. Our experienced private lawyers will implement your plans and see them through to a conclusion - we never assume one solution fits all.

Private Client Expertise

We have extensive expertise in all types of private client matters. Our private client solicitors can help you with:
How We Work With You

Aside from achieving outstanding results, we believe that the best relationships come from honest and open communications. We take the time to get to know you, your personal drivers and your professional goals, so that we can accurately advise you on what, when and how to correctly plan for your future. This approach has seen us work with the majority of our clients for many years.

How the private client legal process works

Not everyone is aware of how the process of engaging our team of solicitors works, so we’ve provided an overview below to give you some peace of mind:
  • To request a free no-obligation consultation fill out our contact us form by using the 'Get Started' button below or alternatively you can call us on 0330 024 0333. Once you’ve submitted the contact form, a member of our team will call you back to discuss your enquiry.

  • You’ll then receive a no-obligation consultation within 24 hours via Zoom or telephone to understand in more detail the issues you’re facing.

  • Should you then decide that you wish to use our services, you’ll receive a breakdown of all our costs and a pack of on-boarding documents. We will work closely alongside you to ensure that whichever private wealth service you need we are here to support you.

To find out how we could help call us on 0330 024 0333 for a free confidential consultation.

Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?

  • We are winners of the Family Law Firm of the Year award – Midlands and Wales. You can find out more by reading our recent blog.

  • Our private client team has been ranked as a top tier firm in this year's Legal 500. Find out more about the teams' success here.

Our legal experts are regularly featured in

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The hidden dangers of online will-writing services

Market Insight

The hidden dangers of online will-writing services

As people have spent more time at home with their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has understandably prompted many to turn their thoughts to the best way of protecting their estate to pass onto your friends and family and get their legal affairs in order

Top ten things to consider before preparing a trust

Market Insight

Top ten things to consider before preparing a trust

If the trust is to be made in your lifetime, to take immediate effect, then it is usually evidenced by a trust deed and often referred to as a ‘settlement’.

What lifetime gifts are exempt from inheritance tax?

Market Insight

What lifetime gifts are exempt from inheritance tax?

In this guide, we look at inheritance tax and what lifetimes gifts are exempt

Can you remove an executor from a will?

Market Insight

Can you remove an executor from a will?

When an executor is dragging their feet in progressing the estate administration, but refusing to stand down, it can be extremely frustrating for beneficiaries who are to inherit from a person’s estate.

How can we help?

Our expert family lawyers are ready to help you and your family, contact us online below or speak to someone by calling us.

Our latest private client news, blogs and webinars
Decades-Old Gifting Allowance Erodes In Real Value, Research Reveals

20 Dec

Private Client

Decades-Old Gifting Allowance Erodes In Real Value, Research Reveals

Read article Right Arrow

Understanding Overreaching: Protecting Beneficiaries in UK Land Trusts

18 Sep

Private Client

Understanding Overreaching: Protecting Beneficiaries in UK Land Trusts

Read article Right Arrow

The importance of making a will: changes to statutory legacy from 26 July 2023

26 Jul

For the individual

The importance of making a will: changes to statutory legacy from 26 July 2023

Read article Right Arrow

Considering recent changes in charity law – permanent endowment, charity land and names

1 Jul

Charities

Considering recent changes in charity law – permanent endowment, charity land and names

Read article Right Arrow

Law firm grows its Bristol private client team

12 Jun

For the individual

Law firm grows its Bristol private client team

Read article Right Arrow

Ethical investments – is this a ‘momentous’ new judgement?

12 Jul

Catherine Rustomji, Partner & Head of Charities
Ethical investments – is this a ‘momentous’ new judgement?

In this episode of Charity Chats Catherine Rustomji, Charles Mesquita and James Saunders discuss […]

Too many charities – What does the future hold? | Charity Chats

20 Jun

Catherine Rustomji, Partner & Head of Charities
Too many charities – What does the future hold? | Charity Chats

In this episode of Charity Chats Catherine Rustomji, Charles Mesquita and James Saunders discuss […]

Charities Act 2022 – revolution or evolution?

24 May

Andrew Wilkinson, Head of Inheritance Disputes
Charities Act 2022 – revolution or evolution?

On 24 February 2022, the long-anticipated Charities Bill received Royal Assent becoming the Charities […]

Our private client team can help you with a variety of services

Business Succession Planning

No matter whether you’re a sole trader, shareholder or owner of a family business, we will help to ensure you have a robust succession plan so you can rest assured that a smooth route to dissolving, selling or continuing your business is in place.

Charities

Leaving money to charity in your will can ensure your chosen charity beneficiaries reap the rewards of your hard work, while you benefit from the financial incentives too. We can advise you on the best way to structure and approach your charitable affairs.

Court of Protection & Deputyship Matters

It can be difficult when someone you know loses the ability to make considered decisions for themselves. We can help you take positive steps to safeguard and manage a person’s affairs in the event they do not have powers of attorney in place.

Estate Administration

From obtaining the Grant of Representation to calculating the correct inheritance tax liability and distributing the estate to the correct beneficiaries, we will support and guide you through the complex process of administering an estate when a loved one has died.

Inheritance & Trusts Disputes

If you feel that a family member’s wishes have not been fulfilled, or you haven’t received what is rightfully yours, our specialist team can help you resolve your dispute, whether that is through mediation or negotiation, or court proceedings.

Personal Tax Planning

From drafting your will to advising you how to structure your finances in the most tax efficient way, we aim to be your personal tax partner for life, ensuring we can design a plan that is exactly right for you and your family to protect your personal wealth.

Buying a Property

Buying a house and moving home can be a stressful process. Our specialist team will make your journey as straightforward as possible and guide you through one of the most important moments in your life.

Trusts

Establishing a trust is often a sensible way to protect your wealth and maintain its value for the benefit of your loved ones over a long period of time. Our team of specialists will help you decide how to invest your money and benefit your family.

Wills & Succession

It can be difficult to envisage a time when you’re not there to provide for your family. However, we are here to guide and support you with preparing a will so your wealth is protected for your loved ones into the future.

How can we help?

Our expert family lawyers are ready to help you and your family, contact us online below or speak to someone by calling us.