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Palmers Solicitors is pleased to announce the promotion of two of its lawyers, Kristie Willis and Jonathan Hol, to the role of Associate Solicitor, further strengthening the firm’s expertise in employment and commercial law.

Kristie Willis, who has more than seven years’ experience in employment law, has developed a strong track record in Employment Tribunal claims involving unfair dismissal and discrimination.

Since joining Palmers, she has played a key role in expanding the firm’s employment services for businesses, including hosting a recent webinar on the impact of AI in the workplace.

Jonathan Hol began his legal career in South Africa in 2008 before qualifying in the UK and now focuses on company commercial matters and contracts.

He has been instrumental in developing Palmers’ commercial services, advising businesses on everything from contracts to corporate governance.
Palmers has a long history of nurturing talent within its team to ensure continuity and high-quality service for clients.

Gina Newman, Chief Operations Officer at Palmers Solicitors, added:
“These promotions reflect the outstanding contributions Kristie and Jonathan have made to our clients and our firm.

“Their expertise and leadership will be key to the ongoing expansion of our commercial and employment services.”

Dealing with an estate is rarely straightforward, but the process becomes even more complex when assets are held in more than one country.

International property, overseas investments or foreign bank accounts are all subject to different legal and tax rules, and this can create delays, disputes and unexpected costs if not handled carefully.

Which laws apply?

Each country has its own probate process. Some will not recognise a Grant of Probate from England and Wales without further validation, and in many cases local lawyers or notaries must be appointed. Understanding these requirements early on helps avoid unnecessary delays.

Are there multiple Wills?

It is common for people with international holdings to have more than one Will – one covering their UK estate and another for assets abroad.

If properly drafted, this can simplify administration. However, if the documents are not well coordinated, they may contradict each other or leave some assets unaccounted for.

Do succession rules restrict freedom?

Unlike in England and Wales, many countries apply “forced heirship” laws which require certain family members to inherit fixed shares of the estate. These rules can override the terms of an English Will in respect of local assets.

Where are the tax liabilities?

Inheritance Tax will usually apply in the UK if the deceased was domiciled here, but other countries may also impose estate or succession taxes.

While some countries have double taxation treaties with the UK, many do not. Early advice is vital to prevent unnecessary tax exposure.

Will probate be recognised?

Some jurisdictions allow a UK Grant of Probate to be “resealed” locally, speeding up the process. Others require a full local probate application, which may involve translations, court procedures and extra costs.

What about foreign currency?

Exchange rate fluctuations and transfer charges can reduce the value of overseas assets once they are converted and repatriated. Careful planning can help preserve value for beneficiaries.

Expert guidance for cross-border estates

International estates bring added layers of legal and tax complexity. Our specialist private client team at Palmers is experienced in managing these challenges and, as a firm licensed to deal with the probate process, we can support executors and families with clear, practical advice.

If you or a loved one hold assets abroad, it is important to plan ahead to protect your estate and your beneficiaries.

Palmers Solicitors is delighted to announce the promotion of Kristie Willis to Associate Solicitor within our employment law team.

Kristie has more than seven years’ experience advising on employment law matters and has built a strong reputation for supporting employees with issues such as unfair dismissal, workplace discrimination and Employment Tribunal claims.

Since joining Palmers, Kristie has been central to growing our employment law services, including leading a recent webinar on how artificial intelligence is changing the workplace.

Kristie said: “I’m thrilled to be stepping into this new role. Employment law changes quickly, and I am passionate about helping people understand their rights and feel supported when challenges arise at work.”

Her promotion reflects Palmers’ continued commitment to providing expert, approachable advice for individuals facing workplace issues.

If you are dealing with a difficult situation at work and need advice, our employment law team is here to help.

We’ve been proud to serve the people and businesses of Essex since 1983. Over the last 40 years, we’ve grown steadily and built a reputation as a trusted provider of legal advice across the county.

That is why we are pleased to announce the opening of our new office in Chelmsford.

Chief Development Officer, Ricky Valks, said: “We’ve talked about Chelmsford for many years. It’s the city-centre, it’s vibrant, and it has one of the fastest-growing business communities in the region. Being able to finally put down roots here is a proud moment for us.

“This new office gives us the chance to bring our reliable services to a wider community.”

Continuing our journey in Essex

Earlier this year, we picked up the keys to our new city-centre premises and set to work creating a space that feels both professional and approachable.

We know people don’t usually come to a solicitor at the easiest moments in life, so it mattered to us that our new office feels welcoming from the moment you step inside.

Chelmsford is now our sixth office, joining Thurrock, Rayleigh, South Woodham Ferrers and our two Basildon offices.

We’ll be offering the same wide range of services, from family law and conveyancing through to wills and probate, employment and commercial law.

“Many of our team already live in and around Chelmsford, so in a way this feels like we’re bringing the firm home,” said Ricky.

“Our reputation has been built on being accessible, picking up the phone, meeting face-to-face and speaking plainly. Having a presence in Chelmsford lets us do that for even more people, right on their doorstep.”

Looking to the future

With our new office open, we’re looking forward to welcoming clients old and new and playing a bigger part in the life of this city.

We’re proud of our history in Essex, and this next chapter in Chelmsford is just the start of more exciting things to come.

A trust is a legal arrangement in which your assets (e.g. property, cash, shares or specific items), are held by nominated persons (the trustees), for the benefit of another person or a group of people (the beneficiaries).

The trustees have control over those assets until the appropriate time for them to be paid out or transferred to the beneficiaries.

The creation of a trust can be by way of a lifetime settlement or by Will and can form part of the estate planning process to ensure your assets are protected.

Why set up a trust?

Any assets transferred into a trust during your lifetime will not form part of your estate after seven years have elapsed, provided you do not retain any actual or potential benefit from the assets transferred to the trust.

This means you can minimise Inheritance Tax, as well as ensure that your beneficiaries –such as loved ones or charities – enjoy the benefits of your wealth over the longer term.

There is nothing to prevent a person who creates a lifetime trust being appointed trustee, thus remaining in control of the assets and the decision making.

You might wish to set aside wealth in a trust that your children can use to fund tertiary education, but that limits their ability to access all the funds until a certain age when you may feel more certain that they have reached financial maturity.

This can help you ensure your children do not waste the funds you’ve provided for them.

You can also use trusts to provide a source of income for vulnerable and/or disabled family members who may not be able to manage their finances on their own or who might be on means tested benefits which they do not wish to lose by receiving an outright cash injection.

The same circumstances can equally apply to a Will trust.

Indeed, where appropriate, trusts are a way of dealing with the unknown, allowing your appointed trustees to make decisions in light of prevailing circumstances many years into the future. A discretionary element and flexibility can be of great benefit.

Setting up a trust

You should always seek professional advice when setting up a trust so that you can be sure of the implications of the same and the need for ongoing monitoring and administration.

If you’re leaving a trust in your Will, you must choose at least two (but no more than four) reliable trustees to look after the assets.

Once a trust is created, the trustees will have a responsibility to make sure that the trust assets are properly preserved for the benefit of the beneficiaries.

This may mean:

• Utilising the services of managing agents to look after property.
• Seeking independent financial advice as to the investment of cash.
• Keeping correct, up-to-date records of all dealings with the trust.
• Employing accountants to prepare annual accounts.
• Instructing professionals to make sure the trustees are acting in accordance with their powers and responsibilities set out in the trust document and in accordance with the law.

These tasks can be onerous, but they need to be dealt with correctly.

It is advisable to speak with your chosen trustees beforehand to make sure they are happy to take on the responsibilities involved with managing a trust.

Protect your assets in trust with Palmers Solicitors

Palmers Solicitors’ specialist lawyers can advise on and assist with the creation of trusts, the resultant tax implications, liaising with accountants where appropriate, and the management of a trust.

Our Wills, Trusts and Probate team consists of members of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP), so you can be confident that we have the knowledge and expertise needed to help you protect your wealth for the next generation.

We can also help you prepare a Will that reflects your wishes regarding your estate, as well as support you with planning for later life care.

For more information about incorporating trusts into your estate plan, get in touch with our friendly team today.