Family walking up a beach

> Experience > Our practices > Private client > Estate planning, wills and succession

Estate planning, wills and succession lawyers

Make your wishes clear with help from our dedicated private client lawyers. Whether you are aiming to protect family assets, navigate cross-border tax issues or benefit a cause close to your heart, we will discuss your priorities, advise on options and put a plan in place.

We have been acting for successful people and their families for more than a century. We work with families down the generations, and we know how important succession planning is to them.

Nobody feels particularly excited at the prospect of making a will, but once it's complete you can feel reassured that you have certainty as to what will happen to your family and assets in the future. As a private client firm, we always take a bespoke approach, helping you to structure your wills and trusts according to your particular needs and objectives. You may for example wish to give to charity in a tax-efficient way, or to prevent the next generation from inheriting too much, too soon. Our wills and estate planning lawyers can also help to create structures to protect family assets from creditor or divorce claims against heirs.
 
The law on succession varies enormously from country to country, but with 150 will lawyers worldwide, we can offer sophisticated advice on how to minimize taxes and risk, while maximizing flexibility for the family. This may involve lifetime gifts, living wills, post-mortem estate planning and inter-generational transfer of wealth.

Our team of will solicitors includes recognized leaders in UK and US tax and estate planning, elder law, probate, landed estates, philanthropy and trusts. We have a particular strength in issues related to the UK and US, with a team which has one of the largest number of US-qualified lawyers in London, as well as a presence in Hong Kong and Singapore. In addition, we have lawyers qualified in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan; lawyers well-versed on Italian succession; and Russian lawyers, who frequently advise families from Asia, Russia and the CIS.
 

Lifetime planning

A common goal of lifetime planning is to pass on assets in an orderly way and to minimize any inheritance tax burden. Whether you wish to make lifetime gifts in the form of money, real estate, shares, artwork or other assets, our private client solicitors can advise on how to do so in a tax-efficient way. Good lifetime planning can also ease the succession process and certain structures can be created to assist with this. It is also our job to stress-test your lifetime planning to ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises later on. 

Abolishing the UK non-dom regime – what are your options in the UK and globally?


The decision from the current UK government to abolish the existing regime and promises made by the opposition to do the same has left many of you with questions and uncertainty. What does the future hold and what actions can you take now? 
Non-dom resources

Track record

Our team

Louis R. Piscatelli

Louis R. Piscatelli

Partner | New Haven

Louis R. Piscatelli

Partner | New Haven

Private client and tax

Philip Munro

Philip Munro

Partner | London

Philip Munro

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Paul McGrath

Paul McGrath

Partner | London

Paul McGrath

Partner | London

Corporate

Matthew Woods

Matthew Woods

Partner | London

Matthew Woods

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Mara Monte

Mara Monte

Partner | London

Mara Monte

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Ceri Vokes

Ceri Vokes

Partner | London

Ceri Vokes

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Dora Clarke

Dora Clarke

Partner | London

Dora Clarke

Partner | London

Private client and tax

Nicholas R Vaughan

Nicholas R Vaughan

Partner | London

Nicholas R Vaughan

Partner | London

Real estate

Join the club

We have lots more news and information that you'll find informative and useful. Let us know what you're interested in and we'll keep you up to date on the issues that matter to you.

Sign up here

Insight

Typical clients include

Family of three generations having picnic in a park

Families and family offices

Families call on us when they want a firm that understands their needs – whether they are looking to pass down wealth, set up and run a family office, or make their mark through philanthropy. Find Out More
Business man looking down at notebook by office window

Founders

From advising on tax or global expansion, helping company founders realise their vision is an important aspect of our work. Find Out More
Successful woman looking out of a car window

High net worth individuals

With complex interests that often span several jurisdictions, highly successful people need seamless advice. With a full-service offering across our offices around the world, we provide just that. Find Out More

How else can we help?


We offer a full range of services to individuals and businesses.  Find out how we can help you solve challenges and maximize opportunities.

Find out more

Get in touch

Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.

Get in touch