I started my career as a Barrister but, looking for more personal client contact, I then also qualified as a Solicitor. I moved to Northamptonshire in the late 90’s, joined a regional firm of solicitors and quickly became a Partner.
I now practice as an independent Freelance Solicitor, specialising solely in Private Client services, with a particular speciality being supporting families with vulnerable or learning disabled beneficiaries successfully plan for their future.
I provide personal, sympathetic and understandable advice in a cost effective and timely manner at a time and place to suit you.
I passionately believe that the vulnerable and learning disabled should be able to live their best life, being able to benefit from an inheritance without worry about the impact on any current or future social care and support package.
Wills, Trusts and Lasting Power of Attorneys should be made easily accessible for all. They should be clearly explained in understandable language and ultimately understood by you. I don’t use legal jargon and I take the time to listen and learn about my clients and their families’ circumstances and what they want to achieve.
Outside of work, I have a family of boys and two ridiculous dogs who make me laugh every day. You’ll often see me running with (or rather, after) those dogs in the local woods.
I have the qualifications you should look for when trying to find a solicitor. I have 20+ years experience in advising clients from all different walks of life, whether of modest means or High Net Worth.
Lots of my clients were business owners, farmers or retired. Many clients had a vulnerable or disabled member of the family and all those clients needed personal and specialist advice.
I frequently work hand in hand with clients’ Accountants and Financial Advisors to ensure their personal and business affairs are looked at holistically.
For the elderly, my Older Client Care in Practice Award, makes me a fully accredited Lifetime Lawyers member (formerly Solicitors for the Elderly – SFE) and should reassure and confirm my dedication to providing the highest quality of independent, confidential advice in the best interests of the older client. I can found in their “find a member” section.
I am sensitive to a family’s needs and understanding of their circumstances. I respect the dignity of the older or vulnerable client and will always ensure I give my vulnerable clients the best possible chance to communicate and make their wishes understood.
As well as being a qualified Solicitor of some 24 years, I have been a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) since 2012 and I hold two additional STEP Advanced Certificates in – Advising Vulnerable Clients and Trust Disputes.
I am a fully accredited member of Lifetime Lawyers and am proud to be a Dementia Friend, increasing awareness and understanding of living with the effects of Dementia.
I am one of the few recommended solicitors on the Mencap, SCOPE, National Autistic Society and Alzheimer’s Society Recommended Solicitor Lists. I regularly participate in Mencap’s Planning for the Future seminars and have run similar seminars with a many different local and national charities, including Unique, Down’s Syndrome Group Northampton, MacIntyre and Special Olympics St Albans.
People often say that getting started is the hardest part of all. Because you are reading this, you should feel encouraged that you have already begun the process, and my job is to help you from here.
The best thing to do is it either pick up the phone and call me or drop me a short email to let me know what you want, and we can take it from there. I offer an initial no obligation appointment for Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning where we can discuss your and your family’s circumstances and what it is that you want to do. From there, I will be able to advise you on how best to achieve that, what the next steps are, how long it will take and what it will cost.
