Claire French TEP

Associate Solicitor

Job Role at EMG

I am an Associate Solicitor in the Wills, Trusts & Probate team. I provide advice on all aspects of private client work, including:

  1. Court of Protection applications including: to be appointed as a property and financial affairs deputy; to sell a jointly owned property; for a statutory will; and for lifetime gift/s.
  2. Lasting Powers of Attorney (for property and financial affairs and health and welfare), Advance Statements and Advance Decisions (“living wills”).
  3. Registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney.
  4. Wills from straightforward Wills to more complex ones, for example to capture inheritance tax exemptions and reliefs, undertake care home fee planning, mitigate a claim by a potentially disgruntled beneficiary, provide for a disabled beneficiary whilst protecting access to statutory care and funding, and to consider capacity issues.
  5. Establishing trusts in lifetime and on death.
  6. Estate administration from obtaining the Grant, to dealing with the assets and liabilities of the estate and distributions in line with the Will or Intestacy Rules.

Experience

I qualified as a solicitor in 2014 having previously worked as a chartered accountant at a leading accountancy and business advisory firm in London. I have specialised in Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, trusts, Court of Protection work and estate administration since qualification. I am a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners having achieved a worldwide excellence award for being the highest scoring student in my Trust and Estate Accounting exam and distinction in my Advanced Certificate in Advising Vulnerable Clients. I sit on the committee of STEP North East & Cumbria branch. I am also a full member of Solicitors for the Elderly and a Dementia Friend.

What you like about working at EMG?

At EMG Solicitors there is a great sense of each member of the team working together to achieve the best for every client. The atmosphere is open, energetic, and friendly.

Outside of EMG

Outside work I will probably be found covered in mud after being out and about with my dogs or enjoying a cappuccino and a slice of cake in one of my favourite coffee shops!