I started working in the law more than quarter of a century ago.  I studied with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executive (CILEX) while working full-time in a Wills, Trust & Probate Department.  I was learning the theory at the same time as gaining practical experience. I specialised in Wills, Trust & Probate Matters, qualifying as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2004.  From 2002 I found myself moving more into Older & Vulnerable Client Law.  I am an accredited full member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and a Trust & Estate Practitioner with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, (STEP) which earned me the additional qualification of Trust & Estate Practitioner.  While, I do not deal with contentious matter, I have also completed the Contentious Trust & Probate Diploma with the Association of Contentious Trust & Probate Practitioners (ACTAPS) and the SEND Tribunal Representative training with IPSEA (Independent Parental Special Education Advice) which enables me to provide initial advice and sign-posting for my clients affected by these issues.   In between these various qualifications I directed my studies to learning more about the issues affecting my older and vulnerable clients, especially dementia, autism and ADHD.   Before going into the law, my degree was in Psychology with an interest in damage and disorder of the brain.  I still have an a keen interest Neuropsychology.  I  am also a Dementia Friend.

​

While the days of "the family lawyer" may be a thing of the past, I like to think that is how many of my clients see me.   I frequently find myself working for two or three generations of the same family.  Some clients may initially come to see me to carry out estate planning to protect their vulnerable child's inheritance, often by use of specialist trusts.  I will then make Lasting Powers of Attorney for their child when they reach 18, if they have the capacity, or make a Court of Protection application, if they don't.  Meanwhile, I may be helping the grandparents with Inheritance Tax and care fee planning as well as looking to the future and making Lasting Powers of Attorney for them, in case they lose mental or physical capacity in the future.  The grandparents may then go into care and I help their family with Local Authority and NHS Funding for care.  Finally, the grandparents pass away and I deal with the administration of their estate.  

​

In some situations older or vulnerable clients need support but they don't have people in their circle that are in a position to provide it.  In those cases I often take on the role of Attorney (or Deputy) for them, building a close bond with those clients, that lasts for many years.

​

As a disabled person myself, I have not only the legal know-how to help my clients, I have some insight into the difficulties they, and their families face.  Luckily, my clients are all very accepting of the accommodations that I need to be able to keep working.  I have a condition that affects my voice, which means that I have to limit appointments and schedule telephone calls so that I can manage how much I need to speak.  I also have mobility issues due to joint pain, so the majority of my appointments are held virtually to reduce how much I need to drive, allowing me to conserve my energy for those appointments where I need to see someone face-to-face.

​​