Helen Webster - Associate

Find out what our clients have to say about Helen here.

Helen joined Clough & Willis as Head of the Private Client department in June 2011 and was promoted to Associate in August 2012. 

The Private Client department offers 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

• Trusts

Helen regularly meets clients to discuss Wills and estate planning, and considers with every client their particular wishes and individual requirements. Each and every Will is then tailored to the individual client's specific needs and wishes.

Helen also regularly advises clients in relation to Lasting Powers of Attorney (which replaced the old Enduring Powers of Attorney). Helen assists clients with all aspects of putting in place Lasting Powers of Attorney, which includes preparing the application to register the document with the Office of the Public Guardian. She also advises attorneys on their duties under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Helen also has experience in making applications to register Enduring Powers of Attorney with the Court of Protection. Helen often arranges appointments out of the office for the convenience of clients who are unable to attend at any of our offices, particularly for Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney matters.

In circumstances where someone is no longer able to manage their own finances and they do not have a Lasting Power of Attorney or an Enduring Power of Attorney in place, it is possible to make an application to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order. This enables the Court appointed Deputy to act on behalf of the person who is no longer able to cope with their own affairs. Helen can also prepare these applications and advise friends and family members as to their available options.

Helen is experienced in managing the Estate Administration process, and can advise on all aspects of Probate (where there is a valid Will) and Intestacy (where the deceased did not leave a valid Will). The Private Client team have structured their services to provide for the individual requirements of each case. Helen can act for the Executors / Personal Representatives of the deceased's estate and manage the entire Estate Administration process on their behalf. Alternatively she can prepare the necessary paperwork to apply for the Grant of Representation on behalf of the Personal Representatives. The Private Client department offers a flexible charging structure, with the option of agreeing a fixed fee alternative from the outset, which has the advantage of providing certainty at the outset of the matter.

Helens email address is Helen.webster@clough-willis.co.uk