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For individuals

Wills, tax, trusts and estates

Simply, if you have children, are a homeowner or have a share in a business, it is essential you have an up-to-date will and plan for the future.

Will drafting and estate planning contain many pitfalls, and we strongly recommend using our teams’ knowledge and expertise to draft yours.

We provide practical advice regarding the executors of your will, inheritance tax and death duties. We can act as your executor or trustee in UK wills and trusts and make no additional charge for acting as an executor.

Our clients range from professionals to retirees, trustees, executors, administrators, banks and beneficiaries. With over 45 years of experience in estate, trusts and tax planning, you can trust us to advise you on the most efficient and effective way to arrange your affairs.

We have a broad knowledge of trusts and can help you establish, manage, and administer lifetime trusts, will trusts, and asset protection trusts. These trusts can be essential tools in passing wealth on to the next generation. We can also advise you on home equity release plans and lifetime gifts.

Our head of department and private client partner, James McMullan, is an associate member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers. James is also a member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP), whilst trainee solicitor Charlotte Barbaroussis is an affiliate member of STEP. James is also a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).

Testimonial Slides - James McMullan & Charlotte Barbaroussis

We understand you may require a more discreet setting or a home visit to provide instructions. Therefore, we can arrange to meet you in the comfort of your home or at your care home or hospital in or around Central London. Click here for more information.

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Articles

Understanding Court of Protection applications in England and Wales – February 2026
Love in later life and the inheritance tax trap – January 2026
London expert warns of a ‘trust mis-selling scandal’ costing UK consumers thousands – October 2025
DIY probate in England – understanding the risks – September 2025
What happens if there’s no will? – September 2025
How a last-minute gift could save your heirs £140,000 in tax – June 2025
Strategic lifetime gifting: How to minimise your IHT liability – May 2025
Can you make a WhatsApp will? – April 2025
Estate planning: How not to make mincemeat of it! – March 2025
Six tips to make things simple for your executors – February 2025
What are trustee responsibilities? A guide to key duties and best practices – December 2024
RIAA Barker Gillette (UK) urges families to plan ahead to minimise Inheritance Tax  – August 2024
Legal jargon in wills: understanding your will  – July 2024
Inheritance disputes on the rise – April 2024
We’re proud to support Update Your Will Week 2024 – 4 to 10 March 2024
Why make a will? – February 2024
Charities, gifts and inheritance tax – December 2023
Six Common Inheritance Tax Myths – December 2023
Estate planning for blended families – August 2023
The Intestacy Rules Update – July 2023
Step-families and succession planning – June 2023
When is a gift of the family home, not a gift? – April 2023
Home visits for wills, LPAs and other sensitive topics – February 2023
What is a trust? – November 2022
HMRC deadline dispensation for trustees – October 2022
HMRC impose new obligations on trustees – August 2022
The benefits of having a will – August 2022
Protecting your digital memories – July 2022
Inheritance Tax account IHT100 forms changes – June 2022
Not just for a rainy day – June 2022
The Telegraph: Not just for a rainy day – June 2022
What are your children’s inheritance rights? – April 2022
The effects of Covid-19 on inheritance tax – February 2022
How to pass £1m to your children IHT free – April 2020
Make your will the top of your list – April 2020
Feathering new nests for fledglings – August 2019
What is a personal representative? – August 2019
Asking to see your medical records – May 2019
Death and taxes are said to be the two certainties of life… – March 2019
Soaring fees set deadline for executors and estate planning – December 2018
Too poor for retirement? – November 2018
Islamic Wills in England and Wales – September 2018
Tracking your digital worth for the next generation – April 2018
Where there’s a will there’s a way – September 2017
Taking stock pays off when planning for inheritance tax – March 2017
Sudden death , What to do – October 2016

At a glance
  • Creating lasting powers of attorney for a business client to ensure fast and efficient cover for his business in the event of his ill health.
  • Drafting and creating a lifetime discretionary trust for a disabled beneficiary to ensure that he had the necessary structure and support in place to provide for his protection when his primary carers (his parents) pass away.
  • Advising and assisting wealthy individuals, business owners and middle-class families with moderate wealth to put in place tax-efficient wills and restructuring their affairs to mitigate inheritance tax.
Intestacy Rules

Practice areas
  • Deeds of variation
  • Duties and responsibilities
  • Estate administration
  • Executors, trustees and administrators
  • Home equity release plans
  • Inheritance Act
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Lifetime gifts and trusts
  • Validity challenges
  • Will trusts
  • Wills and codicils
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What they say...

  • W Sandover, April 2026
    Boundary Wall dispute “Although (for complex, not relevant) reasons, this matter never reached the point of either negotiations or a court case, Barker Gillette staff provided us with excellent support. I would certainly go back to them in the

  • Client, April 2026
    Excellent suppy “Karen Cole supported me through a difficult time with warmth and professionalism. She made the entire process as smooth as possible, responding quickly to communication and giving clear advice. I would highly recommend Karen to

  • Client, April 2026
    So helpful! “Pippa Marshall listened and offered supportive, practical advice. She was very friendly, easy to talk to and did not pressure me to make any costly decisions during my free 30-minute consultation. I would definitely recommend Pippa

  • Nika Franke-Matthecka, April 2026
    “We had an excellent experience working with Michael Davies and his team on the sale of our property. They were efficient, knowledgeable, and highly diligent throughout the entire process. Communication was always prompt and clear, which made w

  • Paul Woodman, March 2026
    Will writing “Excellent service from start to finish. Efficient and good value. Charlotte was very professional, knowledgeable and understanding.”

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