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I joined Irwin Mitchell in 1997 having earlier worked for HSBC Trust Company (UK) Limited. My areas of expertise cover Wills, probate, estates, tax planning and trust advice.
My primary role is client relationship management and business development for the Wills & Probate teams. This involves working closely with many large financial institutions to ensure that we are delivering a quality service for their customers and to ensure we grow business between us.
Gillian is "very experienced" - Legal 500 2016
I qualified as a solicitor in 2001.
“Whatever the outcome of the green paper, we are all likely to be expected to contribute more to later life care costs but over three fifths in Yorkshire and Humber aren’t saving for the eventuality and what’s more, don’t plan to. “There is a knowledge gap over everything from the true cost of care and how it is funded, to simple things like seeking advice. Given government policy on the topic is in limbo, it should come as no surprise many in our region appear to be in the same boat. “Future care planning hints at mortality and, like making a will, it’s not a topic anyone likes to face. However, given care home abuse scandals coupled with the looming crisis in care funding, it’s an issue neither politicians nor public can afford to ignore much longer.”
“Sheffield attitudes are a serious cause for concern. Annual care home fees can be in excess of £44,000 and with two thirds of people in the city unware of the facts, the survey shows the need for urgent debate on the topic. “If unaddressed we could be sleepwalking into a social care crisis in the future, with people either unable to fund care, being forced to use their assets to do so or agreeing to poor care home contract choices by not seeking professional advice. “With young people facing an unprecedented squeeze on finances, it is unlikely they will have the means to fund parental care. Facing realities now can minimise the distress caused by financial decisions that too many of us are either blissfully unaware of, or are putting off for tomorrow, rather than face today.”
“With 39% expecting care to be funded from pensions and over half thinking homes will be sold to cover costs, you sense people’s pessimism. Figures also hide the heartbreak that can lie behind having no choice but to sell a family home that many wish to see remain in the family in order to fund care. “Advice is the key step to planning for future eventualities and the 57% looking to pass on assets outside a will to reduce inheritance tax must factor care into their calculations. Five Leicestershire care homes were ordered to improve in March, suggesting this region is not immune from the care home crisis. “This should incentivise taking responsibility for our own care plans, not just in terms of assets and tax, but concerning the standard of care we may receive in the future, based on ability to pay. Judging from these findings, people are not yet informed enough to be able to do that. “People need a care pathway to see how they will fund later life care and without a wider regional and national conversation on the subject, many may have a bleaker old age to look forward to than might otherwise have been the case.”
“We’re delighted our national tax, trusts and estates team has been recognised with a win at the inaugural British Wills and Probate Awards. “Our team works extremely hard to make sure we’re doing everything we can for our clients and it is very pleasing to have our efforts rewarded.”
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