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Private Client Experts
Edward Walter
Partner
Solicitor
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 320ewalter@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Edward is a Partner in the Private Client Department. He started practising Private Client Law in 2000, initially as a solicitor in a well-known firm in Tonbridge and thereafter with several well-known East Sussex firms before joining Buss Murton in July 2014. Edward became a Partner in 2015.
He advises and acts on all aspects of Inheritance tax planning and Capital Gains tax planning. He also acts in Probate administration matters and post death Variations for Inheritance tax and Capital Gains tax purposes. He also regularly advises clients regarding the making of their Wills, Powers of Attorney, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Declarations of Trust with respect to client’s properties.
He undertakes the full range of advice and work with respect to Trusts and advises on associated tax implications of those actions. He also advises generally on (tax) domicile and residence issues.
He regularly advises and acts on the registration of Lasting and Enduring Powers of Attorney, the making of Statutory Wills and gift applications at the Court of Protection.
Expertise
Inheritance Tax Planning
Capital Gains Tax Planning
Wills
Probate and estate administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Declarations of Trust
Court of Protection
Estate Planning
Taxation advice
Succession strategies
Residence and domicile matters
Trusts
Alternative Contact:
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
Beth Ahsunollah
01892 502 348
bahsunollah@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- The Budget and What Next for Farming Families? – Part 2
- The Budget and What Next for Farming Families? – Part 1
- Inheritance Tax and Equity Release – Part 2
- Inheritance Tax and Equity Release – Part 1
- October Budget: changes to pensions and the impact that has on those leaving 10% of their estate to charity
- The Government’s October Budget 2024: Inheritance tax, Wills and those who need to review their Wills.
- Have you got a standard form trust and require advice on what you can do as a trustee? Buss Murton Law can help.
- Care Costs and paying for them – fact amongst the hyperbole
- How can non-married, non-civil partners be impacted by the Residential Nil Rate Band Allowance?
- Mental incapacity and being a trustee
Laura Chapman
Paralegal
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 356lchapman@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Laura graduated from the University of Bristol with a law degree in 2011 and went on to complete the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in London. During her academic studies Laura was a student member of the University of Bristol Pro Bono Law Clinic and volunteered at the College of Law with their LawWorks Mediation Scheme.
Following her legal studies, Laura gained experience as a paralegal at a family law firm in East Sussex. She then moved to another Kent law firm and worked as a probate legal secretary before being promoted to a legal assistant within the department. Laura joined Buss Murton in November 2015 and is a member of the Private Client team.
Expertise
Court of Protection
Probate and estate administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Alternative Contact:
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
Beth Ahsunollah
01892 502 348
bahsunollah@bussmurton.co.uk
Melanie Cook
Chartered Legal Executive
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 349mcook@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Melanie Cook joined Buss Murton Law in August 2024 as a Chartered Legal Executive in our Tunbridge Wells Private Client team.
Before joining Buss Murton Law, Melanie completed an LLB law degree at the University of Hertfordshire and completed her CILEX studies in 2016, qualifying as a Fellow in March 2022.
Melanie has worked in the area of Private Client since qualifying and has worked in a large firm by the south coast dealing with Wills, Probate and trust administration, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters. She enjoys meeting clients, listening to them and helping them achieve their goals.
Outside of the office she enjoys walking, jogging and spending time with her family and young son.
Alternative Contact:
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
Beth Ahsunollah
01892 502 348
bahsunollah@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Graham Edwards
Consultant Solicitor
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 306gedwards@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Graham joined Buss Murton in December 2003 having previously practised in Bromley and Dartford.
Graham qualified in 1980 and has since the early 1990s specialised in non-contentious Private Client work in particular estate administration, the drafting of Wills, the administration of the affairs of the elderly and contested and non-contested applications to the Court of Protection on behalf of those incapable of dealing with their own affairs. He has also acted as a Professional Deputy approved by the Court of Protection and as a Professional Attorney
Graham is a Consultant Solicitor and a previous Partner in the firm and having spent 5 years at the Tunbridge Wells office, he then headed up the Cranbrook office and Private Client team there and then took on the role of managing the Dartford Office before his return to Tunbridge Wells in December 2019.
Graham is also the Treasurer and occasional player for Meopham Cricket Club, one of the oldest Cricket Clubs in Kent. He is also a keen football and rugby spectator, although does regularly play 5 a side football for those above a certain age!
Expertise
Private Client
Estate Administration, Taxation and Distribution
Deeds of Variation of Estate
Wills
Administration of the affairs of the Elderly
Court of Protection applications (both contested and non-contested)
Lasting Powers of Attorney (both creation and registration and operation)
Alternative Contact:
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
Beth Ahsunollah
01892 502 348
bahsunollah@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Sohret Haffenden
Associate Solicitor
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 344shaffenden@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Sohret qualified as a solicitor in September 2018, having completed her training at a local firm in Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks. Sohret joined the Tunbridge Wells office in 2023.
Sohret advises on a variety of Private Client work including Wills, Intestacy, Inheritance Tax planning, Powers of Attorney and estate administration.
Sohret aims to build lasting legal relationships with her clients and prides herself in her ability to empathise with her clients and tailor her service to their individual needs.
Outside of the office, Sohret spends time with her husband and two children and enjoys being outdoors.
Expertise
Inheritance Tax Planning
Wills
Probate and Estate Administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Estate Planning
Alternative Contact:
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
Beth Ahsunollah
01892 502 348
bahsunollah@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Lucy Head
Associate Solicitor
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 372lhead@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Lucy advises on all aspects of private client work including Wills, probate and lasting powers of attorney. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2007 having completed her training at a local Sussex firm. Lucy subsequently worked “in house” for Lloyds Bank as an estates administrator and also within their legal team advising on technical issues relating to Wills, probate and trusts. Lucy joined Buss Murton in 2014.
Lucy now concentrates on Probate work and deals with a wide range of cases from straight forward low value cases to more complex work such as estates with agricultural land or business assets.
Expertise
Wills
Probate and estate administration
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Court of Protection
Alternative Contact:
Emily Luker
01892 502 346
eluker@bussmurton.co.uk
Beth Ahsunollah
01892 502 348
bahsunollah@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
Amy Turner-Ives
Trainee Legal Executive
Private Client
Office : Cranbrook
01892 502 396aturner-ives@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Amy joined Buss Murton in November 2022, having previously worked at other regional firms whilst undertaking her legal studies via the CILEX route. She passed her final Level 6 exam in August 2022 and attained graduate status in March 2023. She will be eligible to apply for fellowship in 2024.
Amy has experience in assisting clients with a variety of different aspects of private client work, including:
- Wills
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Deputyship applications
- Applications for Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration
- Administration of a testate or intestate estate
Amy also volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Society as a Dementia Friends Ambassador, delivering information sessions to members of the public with the aim of increasing awareness of dementia and how we can all do something to support those living with dementia in their day-to-day activities.
Alternative Contact:
Sandi Burrows
01892 502 394
sburrows@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- What to consider from a legal perspective upon receipt of a dementia diagnosis
- I have been notified that I am an Executor under the Will of a relative or friend, who has recently passed away. What do I do?
- Gifting out of excess income to save on Inheritance Tax – are you making the most of your financial position?
- To gift or not to gift? The impact of the Autumn Statement on Inheritance Tax
Annelise Tyler
Chartered Legal Executive
Private Client
Office : Cranbrook
01892 502 398atyler@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Annelise joined Buss Murton in May 2024, in our Private Client department in Cranbrook. After several years working in publishing, Annelise determined that law was her métier.
Annelise started practicing litigation in London law firms, whilst studying law and qualified as a Fellow in 2013. Following a career break to concentrate on her family, Annelise has been practising Private Client work at firms in Kent since 2020.
Her advice on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Declarations of Trust and more, which includes comprehensive IHT advice and advice on effective succession planning. She also acts in all aspects of Estate Administration from simple to high net-worth complex estates, including Deeds of Variation, Intestacies and tax matters.
Annelise has an innate ability to unpack a problem and applies a thoughtful and forensic attitude to her work, enabling her to find effective solutions to client issues. Annelise is well regarded as approachable and responsive, making often difficult decisions much less stressful for her clients.
Outside of work, Annelise is a keen cook and baker and a rusty pianist, with a long held ambition to complete her Grade 8. Annelise enjoys picking up new skills, her current task is learning the piano.
Alternative Contact:
Sandi Burrows
01892 502 394
sburrows@bussmurton.co.uk
LinkedIn Profile
Articles
- Will Trusts – a brief guide
- Budget Bingo – The Results are In!
- Budget Bingo – What can we expect from the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement?
- DIY Wills and why they are a false economy
- Debunking Domicile and Inheritance Tax
Alice Waters
Paralegal
Private Client
Office : Tunbridge Wells
01892 502 370awaters@bussmurton.co.uk
Profile
Alice joined Buss Murton as a Paralegal in September 2024, and is within our Private Client department for her first seat.
Prior to joining Buss Murton, Alice graduated from the University of Warwick in 2023, with a degree in Law and Sociology. Whilst at university, Alice played in the netball team and held the charities and welfare role on the club committee.
Since leaving university, Alice has been working at Citizens Advice as an advice line advisor while studying for her SQE exams.