Our Private Client lawyers deliver a highly bespoke and personal service to individuals, families and investment vehicles on legal issues ranging from the preparation of Wills and the establishment and administration of trusts, to all aspects of residential and agricultural property. They also assist with more general estate planning and provide taxation advice on personal or trust matters. We are experienced in helping international clients who intend to relocate to the United Kingdom, particularly on issues relating to domicile, property ownership and investment and tax planning.
Keystone's Private Client solicitors advise in the following areas:
WILLS, TRUSTS AND PROBATE
From the preparation of a basic Will, which all individuals should have as a bare minimum, to a more sophisticated arrangement covering issues such as domicile, complex estate planning or trusts. We advise settlors and trustees on the creation and administration of trusts and we regularly deal with probate matters and act on estate administrations.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY AND ESTATES PRACTICE
We act for clients who wish to buy or sell residential or agricultural property and can handle all consequential issues such as landlord and tenant interests, lease extensions, residential and farm tenancies. We are at ease dealing with all types of land and have particular expertise with high value residential properties situated in London and throughout England and Wales.
PERSONAL TAXATION AND ESTATE PLANNING
We offer detailed and commercially orientated advice to individual entrepreneurs, family companies, landowners, trustees of high value trusts and to promoters of investment structures.
We advise individuals on estate planning either on a stand-alone basis or during the preparation of Wills and trusts in order to reduce capital gains and inheritance tax liabilities. This may involve advice on capital gains tax and inheritance tax mitigation structures (including offshore planning), tailored to each client's unique circumstances.
- We advise on all of the issues which affect private individuals and trustees including:
- Structuring for those relocating to or departing the UK
- Structuring for foreign domiciliaries resident in the UK
- Cross border structuring for business deals and personal investments
- Making submissions to and dealing with enquiries from HM Revenue & Customs
- Disputes with HM Revenue & Customs
MENTAL CAPACITY WORK
Further to the recent introduction of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), we assist clients in the preparation and registration of LPAs, both on a stand-alone basis or as part of overall estate planning. We can provide advice on registration and administration of existing Enduring Powers of Attorney and in respect of any general mental capacity query.
FAMILY
We advise individuals and families on the impact of differing matrimonial property regimes, prenuptial agreements and divorce.
CONTENTIOUS TRUSTS AND ESTATES
The Litigation Team works closely with the Private Client Team on contentious probate and trust matters, such as contested Wills, inheritance family provision claims and administration actions.
INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE AND ITALIAN DESK
In addition to dealing with international clients resident in or relocating to the UK, we assist non-UK residents with their investments in the UK. We provide assistance to the growing number of UK clients owning properties abroad, by dealing with overseas advisers and coordinating overall estate planning required for non-UK properties. Duccio Faraoni coordinates our 'Italian Desk', which brings together expertise from the various teams at Keystone, providing a highly bespoke, bilingual service to Italian clients with interests in the UK or to UK clients with interests in Italy.
CHARITIES
We advise a growing number of wealthy individuals and families looking to engage in philanthropic activities by supporting or even setting up charities.
