New appointment at award-winning Harrogate company as inheritance tax rules get set to change
An award-winning Harrogate law firm has unveiled its new head of personal law.
Longstanding Yorkshire lawyer, Ann Christian, has been promoted to Head of Personal Law at LCF Law, a leading full-service law firm, which operates regionally, nationally and internationally, with more than 145 people across offices in Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and Ilkley.
Ann qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and joined Yorkshire based LCF Law in 2007, before being promoted to partner in 2015.
She now helps people plan for the future and protect their assets, as well as dealing with estate administration, incapacity issues, will writing and advising on trusts.
In her new role, she will lead LCF Law’s personal law team, which comprises almost 30 people based across the firm’s four offices, in Harrogate, Bradford, Leeds and Ilkley.
She will take over the role from Neil Shaw, who has led the team for the past 38 years, as one of LCF Law’s founding partners.
Neil is stepping down from the management team but will continue to be a client facing lawyer at LCF Law.
Ann said: “Personal law and inheritance planning can be complicated but it’s hugely rewarding to help people protect their wealth and assets, as well as ensuring that as much of their estate as possible is passed on without tax penalties.
"This is now a particular concern for many people, with upcoming changes to inheritance tax meaning unused pension pots will be brought into inheritance tax rules from next year.”
Neil said: “For almost four decades LCF Law has built a reputation for being a leading advisor on all areas of personal law and we have a huge number of returning clients across our offices, as well as acting for generations of countless families.
"This success is down to our expert but straightforward advice and the fact that we always provide a very personal service with a reliable and longstanding team.
“Ann epitomises this ethos and always goes the extra mile for her clients, so she’s the perfect person to pass the baton to."
Specialist areas that Ann advises on include tax and care home fee planning, as a member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers.
In addition, last year she became one of only a few lawyers in the region to complete the prestigious STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) Advanced Certificate in Cross-Border Estates qualification that enables her to advise clients who have assets in different countries, including holiday homes, on their succession plans and wills.
Last year she was shortlisted for the prestigious Private Client Award at the Yorkshire Legal Awards and she also sits part-time as a member of the First Tier Tax Tribunal.