Birketts LLP provides 'highly professional and level-headed advice' on probate, inheritance tax, the duties of trustees, succession planning and much more. Complex trusts specialist Lorna Spear and up-and-coming partner Hayley Pettitt, who stands out for her advice on succession planning for families and farming businesses, lead the practice from Norwich. Pettitt 'explains even the most complex structures clearly'. Agriculture specialist Jack Royall is a key adviser to landed estates. Legal director Helen Cordingley frequently assists high-net-worth individuals with succession planning and the administration of trusts. Emily O’Donnell and William Cason are among the firm's talented senior associates.

Howes Percival LLP has a stellar reputation for private client work. Tom Lawrence leads the practice and has a strong track record in advising high-net-worth families and business owners on wealth management, while Stuart Maggs handles estate planning for ultra-high-net-worth families and trustees, frequently those with significant corporate or property holdings. Katharine Danks is a key adviser to farmers, families and landed estates. Director Lauren Abbs joined from Clapham & Collinge Solicitors in late 2023 to add skills in estate administration and succession planning. Senior associate Jan Tyler is also highly rated. 'The sheer intelligence of the team and its abilities to solve issues for clients in difficult situations is second to none', remarks one client.

Mills & Reeve LLP's Norwich office has a deep bench of talent in its private client team, which acts for high-net-worth individuals and families, landed estates, and entrepreneurs across the region, nationally and, in some instances, internationally. Practice head Lauren Parker leads the specialist landed estates group, which acts for three of the four largest estates in Norfolk, as well as many others across the country. The firm also advises many national land consortia on land pooling arrangements and tax issues. It also has a highly regarded trusts and probate practice. Gregory Laming, who counts many foreign domiciles among his clients, senior partner Justin Ripman, and up-and-coming partner Elizabeth Field are all highly rated. Virginia Edgecombe retired in 2023.

 

Ashtons Legal has a deep bench of talent across its offices and Norwich, where senior associates Karen Bacon and Gemma Helsdon are the standout practitioners, is no exception. 'This team is super-efficient, always approachable, very helpful', says one client. Helsdon and long-standing STEP member Bacon frequently handle estate administration, probate, inheritance tax planning, Powers of Attorney, trusts, and lifetime planning for high-net-worth clients. 'They will always go the extra mile for the client'.

Fosters has a long-standing reputation for private client work. Whether it is for wills, LPAs, trusts, Court of Protection matters, probate or estate administration, the firm has a loyal following across Norfolk. Senior associate Paige Gouldthorpe is the lead practitioner in Norwich and provides 'superlative service at every stage of the process'. 'Top-class' legal executive Louise Gibbs-Kneller is highly regarded for her work on intestate estates.  Rachel Chiarotti moved to Setfords Solicitors.

Spire Solicitors LLP 's wills, tax and probate practice 'provides clear and concise advice in a timely manner'. Practice head Ejike Ndaji oversees a team that handles wills, tax planning, trusts, LPAs, and more for a loyal client base across Norfolk. The firm also excels in Court of Protection matters, and advises on issues of NHS continuing care.