Wills & Probate Team

I qualified as a solicitor in 1989, and have worked in private practice since then. I joined Sharman Law in 2007 becoming a partner in 2008.

I specialise in all aspects of Probate, Trusts, Wills and estate planning, as well as Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection work, each year I deal with perhaps 80 – 100 wills. These can be simple and straightforward or can involve complex family arrangements with foreign properties and business interests. I deal with about 50 estates each year. Some are non- taxable, for example where estates pass directly to the surviving spouse, but others can involve complex IHT calculations requiring input from numerous experts to assist in negotiations with HMRC.

I aim to be sensitive and pragmatic when working with my clients, many of whom need advice and support whilst dealing with difficult events in their lives.

I am a member of the Law Society's Private Client Section, giving me access to the latest developments in this area of law.

If you would like some help, please email me and I will let you know if I can assist you.

For many years I predominantly practised family and civil law. I qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives in 1997 and in 1999 qualified as a solicitor.

I have experience of all types of litigation including housing, commercial, dispute resolution, disputed wills and probate, insolvency and debt recovery.

I have successfully concluded a case in the Supreme Court, which clarifies the law surrounding harassment: Hayes v Willoughby.

I am a member of ACTAPS which is the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists.

My main area of practice now is contentious probate advising upon the validity of wills, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for family and dependants) Act 1975 and disputes in relation to trusts.

I studied History at Oxford Brookes University before converting to Law and qualified with Sharmans as a Solicitor in 2008. I became a Partner of the firm in 2020 and the head of our Private Client department in 2023.

My areas of expertise are the administration of Estates, Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration. I also specialise in the preparation of Wills, Estate planning, Tax advice, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters.
Over the course of the year I generally take on approximately 160 new cases. Of these around 60 are Estate administration matters. This can involve straightforward non-taxable Estates, with assets passing to a surviving spouse, partner or children to more complex taxable matters, including the negotiation of Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief. The remaining new matters I deal with are made up mainly of the drafting Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. Both vital for Estate planning and ensuring one’s affairs can be successfully managed. Similar to the work with regard to the administration of Estates, the Wills I prepare can be relatively straightforward but can also involve complex family arrangements, second families, farming and business interests.

I am proud of the fact that much of the work I receive is through client referrals. I can confidently say that all my clients can be assured of a friendly but professional and efficient service.

I started my career in law in 1980 and after 20 years with another local firm, moved to Sharmans in 1999. I am now the Senior Probate Manager having amassed almost 40 years experience in handling all aspects of Probate, Wills, Estate Planning, Deputyship and Power of Attorney matters.

Over the course of a year I would expect to deal with helping 80 or so clients/couples with their Wills, running the gamut of simple single person Wills to straightforward family Wills to complex Wills juggling the needs of second or even third families.

I deal with roughly 50 estate administration matters per year which again can range from simple non-taxable estates where assets pass to a surviving spouse or partner to complex high value estates involving property and investment assets requiring liaison and sourcing of appropriate experts and valuers to assist and negotiate with HMRC.

I am very much a "people person" being friendly and approachable yet efficient and professional. I am proud to be able to say that many of my clients come to me through recommendation and indeed, I have many clients who return to me year after year and I am privileged to be regarded as their trusted family adviser.

I completed my law degree in Madrid in 1995. I moved to the UK in 1997 and qualified as a solicitor in 2004 after passing the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test. I have worked in private practice since then, having fourteen years post qualification experience.

I joined Sharman Law in May 2016 and I am now an Associate Solicitor with the firm. I advise on all aspects of Wills, Probate, Estate Planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection applications. I deal on average with one hundred and thirty cases per year. The majority of the matters I deal with is in preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney and Wills which can be straight forward or more complex including Trusts and dealing with challenging family arrangements. I deal with about 25 estates per year and some of them are taxable estates that need IHT calculations and obtaining details from experts.

I completed the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates (England and Wales) in November 2017 and I am a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

I qualified as a Private Client Solicitor in October 2022 and joined Sharmans in October 2023. I completed my LLB Law Degree (Hons) at the University of Bedfordshire, and my Legal Practice Course at Anglia Ruskin, Cambridge.

I specialise in Will drafting, preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorneys, applications for Grants of Probates and Letters of Administration, estate administration and Deputyship Applications.

I am currently a Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioner (STEP) Affiliate, working my way towards full membership as a Trusts and Estates Practitioner (TEP.) I am also a trained Dementia Friend, and I am experienced in working with adults and children with special needs. I like to get involved in the local community and fundraising for different charities.

I appreciate that clients will often come to me at difficult times in their lives, and I pride myself on being professional yet personable, friendly, and sensitive. I aim to deliver high quality, bespoke legal advice with high levels of client satisfaction.

I am Bedford born and raised and outside of work, I enjoy baking, cooking, going for walks, and spending time with family and friends.