Private client
Understanding private client law
Our specialist private client lawyers can help you with a broad range of issues affecting your personal tax situation, your estate and your family’s inheritance.
We provide personalised, efficient and discreet advice no matter the issue. We offer a seamless service, drawing on the knowledge of other specialists within the firm to ensure our clients receive the very best advice.
We are well equipped to handle both domestic and international matters and are proud of our diverse client base.
How our private client solicitors can help you
Our lawyers create practical and creative solutions. Our in-depth sector knowledge means you can rest assured you’re in the safest hands.
We can help you with a wide range of issues relating to your personal wealth and estate planning, your personal tax situation and your inheritance. Our advice is always tailored to your needs and those of your family.
Court of Protection Applications and Deputies
We advise on matters which arise when a person lacking capacity...
Trusts and estate planning
We can advise you how to structure your property and affairs to ensure that your estate passes...
Powers of attorney
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a document enabling a person (the donor) to appoint an attorney...
Always at the forefront of developments.
Our approach to private client law
Many of our clients are based in the UK with overseas assets and/or families, or are internationally based with UK assets.
We act in new and complex areas of law, such as Private International Law, Matrimonial Property Regimes and Family Investment Companies. We advise on all aspects of UK taxation, with particular emphasis on inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning.
Our clients range between the significantly wealthy and those whose needs are not as complex, unless family circumstances give rise to complexities. We have acted for many families for more than one generation and are proud to be the trusted advisors to our broad client base. We also assist vulnerable clients and advise their families how to assist their loved ones when they lose capacity or are struggling to manage their financial affairs, or have been subject to financial abuse. We also do home/hospital and care home visits for vulnerable clients.
Our independent trust company, Russell-Cooke Trust Company (RCTC), ensures we are well-placed to offer executor and trustee services. We have a specialist trust administration and tax team with many years of experience
Russell-Cooke Trust Company (RCTC)
Russell-Cooke Trust Company (RCTC) is an independent UK incorporated company...
Taxation for individuals
We advise on all aspects of UK taxation, with particular emphasis on inheritance and capital gains tax planning...
Philanthropy law
We work with individual philanthropists, families and businesses who want to use their wealth to help others...
Family businesses
Like many law firms we offer expert advice on areas such as buying and selling businesses or companies, or trusts and estate planning...
Cross-border and international
We offer high-quality specialist advice to clients based in the UK with overseas assets and/or families and to International clients with UK assets.
We advise on many cross-border legal matters including:
- private International Law
- cross-border wills
- matrimonial property regimes and inheritance contracts
- administering international estates
- obtaining UK Grants of Probate for persons who die outside the UK
- care and protection of the elderly and their assets across national borders
- international estate and tax planning
We regularly advise on, and draft wills, for international clients with international assets. We help you to understand the interaction of the relevant succession and tax regimes.
Issues surrounding care and protection of the elderly or vulnerable in cross-border situations can become very complicated and require particular compassion and sensitivity. Members of the team are experts in this field and often work together with our contentious, family and children teams to provide coordinated advice.
Cross-border succession, capacity and tax
We give advice about the cross-border issues that arise when someone owns assets in more than one country...
International tax, estate planning and estate administration
We offer high-quality specialist advice to UK citizens with overseas assets and families...
Italy UK succession, wills and tax
Our specialist team regularly advises clients with Italian and British interests and connections. We help clients understand...
Probate and estate administration
The breadth of our probate and estate administration expertise means we can handle everything from large, cross-border estates and complex disputes to the many administrative tasks that come with even the most simple estates.
Typical areas we help with include:
- collecting in assets and arranging valuations
- obtaining the Grant of Probate
- calculation and payment of inheritance tax
- calculation of Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax
- correspondence with HM Revenue & Customs
- payment of debts and executor expenses distributing the estate to the beneficiaries disputes arising over who should benefit from an estate
- inheritance tax planning around the administration of estates, such as Deeds of Variation
Probate and estate administration
We recognise that the legalities arising from the death...
Wills
We recognise that the legal issues arising from the death of a loved one can add to your burden at an emotionally distressing time. So our team is here to guide you through each stage of the process, giving you the reassurance that everything is being handled promptly and professionally as well as cost-effectively.
Whether you are a beneficiary or the executor of a will, you will have a dedicated solicitor and legal assistant working with you throughout, ensuring you can always speak with someone who has a clear understanding of the estate and its requirements.
Wills
We advise individuals on all aspects of will drafting and issues affecting wills including...
Family Office service
About our Family Office services
Russell-Cooke’s Family Office offer clear, practical advice on anything from wills and pre-nuptial agreements to business and property portfolios via philanthropic aims and reputational issues.
Find out how Russell-Cooke’s Family Office provide families with seamless access to the specialist advice they need and when they need it.
Family Office service
Find out how we can help individuals and families make informed decisions about their future planning and navigate the difficult conversations that might otherwise lead to conflict.
Get in touch
If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our private client solicitors; Holborn office +44 (0)20 3826 7522; Kingston office +44 (0)20 3826 7529; Putney office +44 (0)20 3826 7515 or complete our enquiry form.
Get to know our private client team
Read the latest e-update from our private client team
Over the past ten years or so there have been some significant changes to the private client landscape including amendments to tax allowances, the effects of Brexit and updates to trust reporting requirements to name a few.
18.04.2024
Private client team news and updates—April 2024
“Turn around and the time has flown, some things stay the same, though the future remains unknown”. Those who are Disney fans...
The team is very strong and we have drawn on the experience of other professionals throughout the process. They are efficient, very responsive and empathetic." and "Russell-Cooke is a very established firm that offers very good international advice; they are very client-focused and have a good reputation." and "The lawyers we dealt with showed a high degree of knowledge. They have been both reactive and proactive with their advice and it seems to be a very collaborative team that communicates well.
Draws on a significant wealth of experience to represent their clients in disputes of significant value and complexity.
Related insights
The latest news and insights from our private client team
15.10.2024
Russell-Cooke associate elected to Law Society Council of England and Wales
14.10.2024
Russell-Cooke maintains position as Top Law Firm in Family and Private Client categories
04.10.2024
Hat trick for Russell-Cooke at the SLS Awards 2024