Ronald Fletcher Baker’s efficient and empathetic Probate department has extensive experience in all areas of private client practice. Ranked in the Legal 500, the department acts for a wide variety of clients including high net worth families, foreign domiciled individuals, entrepreneurs, and elderly and vulnerable clients.
The department is able to provide a wide range of legal services for families and individuals based both in the UK and overseas with UK assets.
We work closely with our clients and where applicable their financial advisers, accountants, and foreign lawyers to understand their priorities to enable us to advise on the most tax-efficient ways of passing wealth to future generations. We are then able to draft wills, deeds of gift, and other documentation in the way which best meets their needs.
Our team is experienced in winding up a wide variety of estates including those with cross-border elements. We can negotiate with HMRC where probate valuations are not immediately agreed to minimise any additional inheritance tax liability. We will also advise when it may be tax efficient to consider varying the distribution of an estate or appropriating assets to beneficiaries.
We are frequently consulted in relation to the preparation of lasting powers and issues of capacity. Where appropriate we will assist with making or opposing applications to the Court of Protection for deputyship and specific issues including the sale of property and statutory wills.
We can assist with the formation and registration of charities and provide advice to charity trustees.
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‘The outstanding courteous approach the team has especially in this area of practice when clients are dealing with sensitive topics. In addition, the lawyers share with clients a sense of genuine care and attention to their matters. Devorah Ormonde provides a sense of assurance to clients and is very trustworthy and efficient in her responses while not missing out on details.'
‘RFB provides a most professional service, and I found it to be most efficient in dealing with my father’s estate after his passing. Devorah Ormonde executed my father’s will in a most satisfactory way‘.
‘1.This is a wonderful legal team. 2. The lawyers are very quick to respond. 3. They are not very expensive. You can call them anytime and the solicitor will pick up the phone directly. I will definitely recommend it again and again. They have been successful in all the cases they have done for us. I have been dealing with Chris O’Callaghan and Devorah Ormonde. They are both wonderful solicitors, I first started with Chris but due to the complicated nature of our case, Devorah is also involved. I can pick up the phone and call Chris or Devorah and they are always willing to speak to me.'
‘The team is exceptional. Not only did it find tax savings where I didn’t believe it was possible but the lawyers were a pleasure to deal with. The team deals with matters quickly but most importantly the advice is correct and presented in a client-friendly way. I dealt with Chris O’Callaghan and was instantly impressed. His knowledge belies his years and he is the standout advisor from my team. I wouldn’t hesitate to refer him to my clients and instruct him myself. In my view the best young practitioner in the market‘.
‘The lawyers are easily accessible, provide good value for money, have a common sense approach to solving client’s problems and care a lot about their clients. I have interfaced with Devorah and Chris. They are very down to earth and are always available to attend to clients. You never get the impression that you are bothering them. They are on top of their game and go overboard to help’.
‘I am impressed by Devorah Ormonde’s knowledge of her subject and her ability to make the mysteries of inheritance tax and powers of attorney easily comprehensible. She works very quickly, responds immediately to calls and emails. She is business like but also friendly and approachable‘.
‘Ms Devorah Ormonde was excellent – she was very pleasant, professional and accommodating. She was efficient, understanding and patient. She helped me write a new codicil to my will and then helped me with a new will: this was fairly complicated as it involved recipients of items and/of money in 5 countries worldwide’.
Always willing to help , if the answer is not known there is always the experience close at hand and always prompt. Personal touch, hardworking and engaging‘.