Welcome to…
The Probate & Trusts Law Department
Steve Gray
Steve Gray is a Partner with Fiona Bruce. He is a law graduate from The University of Birmingham. After completing the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law, Chester, he joined Fiona Bruce in 1997, qualifying as a Solicitor in 1999.
Steve specialises in Wills, Trusts and Probate work and Charity law. He is a member of the Law Society's Private Client Section.
Steve is experienced in Wills, Inheritance Tax, the preparation and registration of Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection work, advising elderly clients and transfers of property. He acts for numerous church and charitable bodies.
Steve is married and has two young sons. He is a keen cyclist and musician.
CloseGareth Langham
Gareth joined the practice as a solicitor in 2008 having obtained a breadth of experience in general commercial work and in commercial construction and dispute resolution together with in the other areas in which he specialises. His general area of expertise are in the field of Wills, Trusts, Probate, Property, Court of Protection and general advice to the elderly and in commercial work.
His hobbies are walking and reading
CloseHannah Worth
Hannah graduated in Law and completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Chester. She joined Fiona Bruce llp as a trainee solicitor.
Prior to becoming a solicitor, Hannah gained wide experience in the healthcare sector both in general management, business development and marketing over a period of some 15 years in both private and public sectors.
Whilst specialising in Wills, Probate, Preparation and Registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney, Property Transfers, Court of Protection applications and advice to the elderly, Hannah also has an interest in Contentious Probate and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. She is an associate member of ACTAPS (Association for Contentious Trusts and Probate Specialists).
Hannah enjoys travel, cooking, hill walking, skiing and is a talented musician.
CloseRachel Keegan
Rachel studied Law at the University of Bristol. Post graduation she joined Fiona Bruce llp as a legal Assistant in the Property department before going on to complete her professional legal training at John Moores University in Liverpool which she passed with distinction.
Rachel completed her training at Fiona Bruce llp and now works as part of the Wills & Probate team specialising in Wills, Lasting powers of Attorney, Court of Protection work and Probate.
CloseAs experienced lawyers, we offer you valuable expertise and understand that your requirements may range from straightforward drafting of documents to more complicated transactions and matters.
We are here to help you and will take time to listen to your needs. We will make every effort both to explain matters carefully to you and to fulfil your instructions.
We are willing to chat with you before you commit to using our services. This is because we understand how important it is for you to be comfortable with your choice of solicitor and we greatly value the relationship we have with our clients.
We appreciate that often matters are sensitive — we, therefore, give you understanding. This, together with practical and expert advice means we offer a truly personal and professional service.
Probate
Probate is the procedure where, following someone's death, the assets of their estate, (their possessions, financial assets and property) are dealt with. This means collecting the assets and any money owed to the deceased person, paying any debts that they may owe and distributing the assets of their estate according to the terms of their Will.
A Grant of Probate is obtained from the Court. We will advise you as to whether a Grant of Probate is required in your particular circumstance.
Where someone did not leave a Will then it will be necessary to apply to the Court for a Grant of Letters of Administration to enable the estate to be dealt with. We will gladly assist in this process.
We will give practical and sensitive advice to families and executors on how best to deal with matters following a person's death.
We will assist with as much of the procedure as you want us to. We can manage the whole process or just a part and will tailor our service to your individual needs. We understand that this can be a very difficult time and will work with you to ensure that the procedure is as easy as possible for you.
Trusts and Inheritance Tax Planning
A trust is a legal device whereby property/assets are held by individuals (Trustees) for the benefit of specified people (Beneficiaries).
Trusts can be very useful, both for tax planning and safeguarding assets for future generations. We will be pleased to advise you in your particular circumstances on the type of trust that might best suit your needs.
We can advise on various trusts to meet your requirements.
In addition, we can advise you on how inheritance tax may affect you and your family. We will consider ways in which inheritance tax may be reduced both in your lifetime and under the terms of your Will.
Probate and Administration of Estates
Where someone dies who did not leave a will this is called 'intestacy'.
In such circumstances it will be necessary to apply to the Court for a Grant of Letters of Administration to enable the estate to be dealt with. We will gladly assist you in this process.
We will give practical and sensitive advice to families and personal representatives (those appointed to manage the estate), on how best to deal with matters following a person's death.
We will assist with as much of the procedure as you want us to. We can manage the whole process or just a part and will tailor our service to your individual needs. We understand this can be a very difficult time and will work with you to ensure that the procedure is as easy as possible for you.
Court of Protection – Office of the Public Guardian
Fiona Bruce llp offer an extensive service regarding Court of Protection work.
Where a person has become mentally incapable then we can assist you by making an application to the Court of Protection to enable that person's affairs to be managed.
We can advise you with regard to Enduring Powers of Attorney and Lasting Powers of Attorney. We will deal with the Office of the Public Guardian who act as the administrative arm of the Court of Protection.
Deed of Variation
In certain specific circumstances the beneficiary of a will can retrospectively redirect their beneficial entitlement.
This may have tax advantages, or be for the purpose of protecting assets for future generations.
We offer comprehensive advice including the taxation consequences involved in such matters.