Wills & Probate

Claire is a senior solicitor and deals with wills, estate planning and inheritance tax planning, powers of attorney, court of protection work, estate administration and trust work.

Claire has specialised in Wills, Trusts and Estates for more than 11 years, having qualified as a legal executive in 2007 and then further qualified as a solicitor in 2014.

Claire enjoys, and has gained a good reputation for her work with elderly clients. She is a fully accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly and a 'Dementia Friend'.

Emily specialises in inheritance tax planning, the administration of estates, trusts, wills and lasting powers of attorney.

She is a member of the Law Society Probate Section and takes the opportunity to write articles and has been published in the local, regional and national press.

Her clients are delighted by her kind approach and efficient way of dealing with their matters, regularly writing to the head of department to comment on how pleased they have been with the service.

Having trained in the City, Emily joined Hart Brown in 2004.

Emily 's clients have commented: "Emily was very helpful and a pleasure to work with - she made the experience very easy we will happily recommend Hart Brown."

Isabel is a specialist in Wills, probate, trusts, estate administration and powers of attorney. Before joining Hart Brown, Isabel worked at another law firm for 10 years, qualifying as a Legal Executive in 2011, obtaining Fellowship in 2015. Isabel is also an Accredited Member of Solicitors for the Elderly.

A friendly solicitor, Isabel can be found at our office in Cranleigh, an area she knows and loves.

Here are Isabel’s answers to a brief interview about her interests and achievements :

What's your favourite meal?
Anything Italian!

What advice would you give to a trainee solicitor starting their career?
Keep at it now, it's worth it in the end.

What's your favourite film?
I have lots, but Shawshank Redemption rates highly!

Jordan is a Solicitor specialising in Wills, lasting powers of attorney and the administration of trusts and estates. He is based in the Trusts & Estates department in Guildford.

Jordan studied law at the University of Southampton, graduating in 2013. Whilst completing his LPC on a part time basis, Jordan worked in the firm’s quality and compliance department as the firm’s Chief Internal Auditor, before commencing his training contract in April 2016.

Having previously undertaken trainee roles in the Family and Residential Property departments, Jordan qualified into the Trust & Estates department where he completed his training.

What does Jordan regard as his specialism?

"The administration of estates and inheritance tax planning in equal measure. My experience of administering estates and calculating inheritance tax liabilities has provided me with valuable insight into how this particularly unpopular tax applies. This type of work has given me the tools to advise clients as to the steps they can take in advance to mitigate their exposure to inheritance tax. I pride myself on providing legal advice in a straightforward manner, cutting through the legal jargon. I always endeavour to work as efficiently as I can in order to provide the best level of service."

Jordan frequently receives great feedback from his clients:

"Hart Brown comes up trumps yet again"

“I appreciate your efforts and thank you for helping me to understand the process!”

"Thank you for your help, your ears will be burning, as I have been ringing your praises!!"

“Thank you for all your input, help and time - it has been much appreciated.”

“May I take this opportunity to thank you for your hard work and professionalism - it is a testament to all those who worked so hard on this case that it looks as though it will all be settled by the first year Anniversary. Quite remarkable!”

"I would like to place on record my appreciation of the efficient and quick service you have provided, particularly as I wished to have the new will in place before my departure on holiday."

Here are Jordan’s answers to a brief interview about his interests:

Favourite travel destination?

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Favourite TV programme?

Suits (obviously)

What are your outside interests?

I am a keen golfer and enjoy playing football for the firm’s 5 a side team. I’m also an avid cinema goer, and write songs and screenplays in my free time.

Julian is highly experienced in wills, probate, trusts, tax and court of protection work.

He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Solicitors for the Elderly and the Law Society Probate Section.

His calm and pleasant manner is much appreciated by his clients who describe him as “family orientated, friendly and very helpful”. “ I would like to thank Mr Julian Abbott for his kindness and patience in helping an old lady put her affairs in order” says one client.

After qualifying as a solicitor in 1978 Julian was a partner in a London firm before joining Hart Brown in 2002 and becoming a partner a few years later.

A client of Julian's praised his work: "Julian Abbott's handling of our late father's estate was first class. He communicated with us throughout the whole process. I would not hesitate to recommend him."

Here are Julian’s answers to a brief interview about his interests and achievements :

Interests?

Theatre and most sports, in particular cricket – a keen long-distance runner, completing the 2010 London Marathon and a regular participant in the annual Great South Run.

Favourite travel destination?

France.

What else can I tell you?

My reading preferences include anything by George MacDonald Fraser, David Lodge or Tom Sharpe and my all-time favourite TV programme is Hancock’s Half Hour!!

A Partner based in Cranleigh, Louise is also Head of the Trusts and Estates team at Hart Brown and has extensive experience in a broad range of Private Client work.

Louise helps clients with all aspects of Private Client work and deals with the formation and administration of trusts, lifetime and post death planning and will drafting. She also works with other professional advisors to provide a complete package of advice.

Louise has considerable experience of applications for probate and estate administration often including complex issues and overseas assets. Additionally, she can help clients with Court of Protection matters including lasting powers of attorney and court applications for gifts.

"Louise Harrhy is highly experienced in probate applications and estate administration especially matters involving offshore assets. She is skilled in Court of Protection matters, including deputyships and lasting powers of attorney." (Chambers UK 2016)

"Louise Harrhy is a really driven and committed lawyer. She advises clients on a wide range of areas, including the creation of wills, the establishment of trusts and the administration of estates. Her work also incudes Court of Protection matters." (Chambers UK 2017)

Louise is a member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Margaret is an Associate and specialises in wills, the establishment and administration of trusts, probate, tax planning, powers of attorney and court of protection work.

Margaret joined Hart Brown in 2017, bringing with her 25 years' experience to the Trusts & Estates department in Cobham. She has worked as a Private Client lawyer in Surrey for over 25 years, and is also a member of STEP and the Law Society Private Client Section.

Nick is an Associate Solicitor in the Trusts & Estates department at the Cobham office of Hart Brown.

Nick has more than 20 years' experience drafting Wills for a wide range of clients and administering all types of estate, with values ranging from £20,000 to £1,000,000 and beyond.

Nick qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and holds a diploma in law and diploma in legal practice, he is also a full member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).

Nick's clients appreciate his thorough approach, determination to get things right and commitment to listening to what his clients really want so he can help them to achieve their objectives.

Paul has a wealth of experience in wills, probate, trusts and inheritance tax planning, having specialised in this area for over 25 years.

He is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). In addition to his qualification as a solicitor, Paul holds the Securities Institute’s Private Client Investment Advice and Management professional qualification and the Chartered Insurance Institute’s Financial Planning Certificate (Cert PFS).

His clients value Paul’s undoubted expertise describing him as “of enormous help in all affairs" and "a source of wise counsel". A client recently stated that “It is a pleasure to deal with Paul Tobias. He has been helpful, friendly and is a real expert in the field of trusts and inheritance tax etc. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone in need of expert advice in this field”.

Paul is particularly keen on legal ways to avoid or reduce liability to tax. He also looks at the bigger picture. Recently a client consulted him about will planning. She mentioned a recent inheritance. Paul advised that it might be possible to use a deed of variation to reduce the IHT bill. The solicitor acting had not realised this. Time was tight but Paul fully investigated the position, verified that a deed of variation would be effective and completed a deed within a few working days. The result was a previously undreamt of reduction of IHT liability of around £140,000.

Paul trained at Hart Brown, qualified as a solicitor in 1980 and became a partner in 1983 until 2018.

Paul's clients often praise his work "Mr Tobias is very patient with elderly people and diplomatic and very pleasant to deal with. I rely on his very sound knowledge and good memory. He has dealt with family matters for me for the last twenty years."

Here are the answers Paul gave in a brief interview about his interests and achievements .

What are your interests?

Playing tennis and cycling holidays abroad. I am a keen rugby union fan and have recently become interested in art and beekeeping.

What advice would you give to a trainee solicitor starting their career now?

Be prepared to adapt.

Favourite travel destination?

San Francisco.

Sue’s specialisms are wills, probate, tax planning and trusts.

Having qualified as a solicitor in 1994, Sue joined Hart Brown in 1997. She left in 2006 to look after her young family and returned in May 2010. “I am delighted to be back. Hart Brown has always been a lovely firm to work for and they really care about their clients which is also important to me” says Sue.

Sue's clients provide excellent feedback: "An excellent and efficient service. Would highly recommend to friends and family."

Here are Sue’s answers to a brief interview about her interests and achievements.

What do you count as your interests?

Pilates, running, book club. I am also Vice-Chair of the Governors of St Mary’s (Church of England) Infant School in Frensham.

Where is your favourite travel destination?

Kenya.

What is your favourite film?

Forrest Gump.

Zara specialises in Wills, lasting powers of attorney, and the administration of trusts and estates. She is based in the Trusts & Estates department in Guildford.

Prior to joining Hart Brown, Zara undertook a Masters Law degree at Queen Mary, University of London, and completed a training contract at Downs Solicitors, qualifying as a Solicitor in 2014. She is a student member of STEP and is currently studying towards achieving a Trusts & Estates Diploma.

Zara often receives praise and appreciation for her work from her clients:

"I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks for the way in which you and your team always work so fast and efficiently to facilitate requests".

"I appreciate everything you have done to help me, it has made everything much easier".

"Great to have a Solicitor that brings practicality, understanding and heart to what is a daunting and complex subject!".

Here are Zara’s answers to a brief interview about her interests and achievements:

Most memorable cases?

1. Achieving an insurance pay out of £400,000 in the administration of an estate (which was not originally considered possible based on residency and domiciliary issues).

2. Dealing with an estate where a husband and wife passed away in quick succession leaving a large and extremely varied estate (net worth approx. £3m).

What would you have done if you had not become a lawyer?

Probably something creative, like an illustrator.

If you were on Desert Island Discs what would your one luxury item be?

Nail polish