Ciara joined Clough & Willis in September 2006 as a trainee solicitor and qualified in September 2008. Ciara is now a solicitor in the Private Client team.
The Private Client team offer specialist advice in four key areas:
- Wills, Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning
- Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters
- Estate Administration (Probate and Intestacy); and
Ciara has extensive will drafting experience from simple arrangements through to those for clients with complex family affairs. Ciara assesses each individual's circumstances while preparing a will to advise on any estate planning which may be appropriate. This often includes advice in relation to client's concerns about funding future residential or nursing care.
Ciara has been dealing with Lasting Power of Attorney Deeds since their introduction in October 2007 and the subsequent amendments in October 2009. She has both given and attended presentations and training sessions which address the most common problems and how to overcome them when dealing with the preparation, execution and use of Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Ciara can advise and assist with all aspects of putting the document in place through to completing the registration process for clients at The Office of the Public Guardian. She can also advise the chosen attorneys on their duties under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and their responsibility to have regard to the Code of Practice under the Act. Ciara also deals with the registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney.
Ciara also specialises in assisting people who are dealing with a family member or friend who has lost the ability to look after their own financial affairs. In the absence of a Power of Attorney document, an application must be made to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order. This can be a time consuming and often complicated process.Ciara can make the application on behalf of clients completing all the necessary paperwork, dealing with the Court of Protection and ensuring the strict time limits and regulations imposed by the Court are adhered to.
Ciara can provide support for families who are dealing with mental illnesses helping them through a difficult time by dealing with all the legal formalities. She can also advise clients in relation to entering into a Deferred Payment Scheme with a local authority to deal with payment of nursing care fees.
Ciara provides clear and practical advice to bereaved families when dealing with the administration of a deceased person's estate. She treats each case individually providing assistance to whatever degree is required. Ciara can advise on all aspects of Probate and Intestacy (where the deceased did not leave a will). She can provide general guidance for those that want to be involved in the process themselves or comprehensive assistance for those who would like to pass the responsibility of administering the estate over to a professional.
Outside work, Ciara enjoys travel, running, cookery and jive dancing.
