When Someone Dies

When someone dies, dealing with their estate can be an upsetting and emotionally difficult task. We minimise the stress, acting for personal representatives and family members, to ensure that the estate is administered correctly as well as assisting with obtaining grants of representation.

Meet the team

Supporting bereaved families

Whether your loved one left a will or not, we can help to administer their affairs in a hassle-free and compassionate way. We work with personal representatives to make certain everything goes according to either the will or the law of intestacy, and we can provide specialist advice on inheritance tax, minimising the liability through careful application of exemptions and reliefs.

In many cases we look after families and individuals over many decades, providing intergenerational estate planning advice. This proactive approach means we are often able to reduce a deceased’s estate’s exposure to inheritance tax and support the smooth succession of their assets.

 

We understand the complex provisions of the inheritance tax legislation and the exacting requirements of HMRC. As a result, we can ensure that all appropriate claims for reliefs, allowances and exemptions are made, and deal with any queries raised by HMRC.

Other taxes such as capital gains tax and income tax may be relevant and there may be scope for mitigation. We can also help if there is a trust involved.

We’ll handle all the paperwork, leaving you to deal with the more practical issues, such as personal items. We’ll also assist with the collection of assets and the settlement of the estate’s liabilities. We will help prepare estate accounts and deal with the distribution of assets to the beneficiaries.

Years of estate administration experience

Our team of private client lawyers have been looking after families’ estates for generations. We can help with all manner of complex issues, from discussions around what happens to children when parents die, through to the distribution and implications of owning overseas assets.

We’ll also help you to plan ahead to mitigate inheritance tax, and our vast experience enables us to advise on a range of different options, including setting up trusts and family investment companies.

A helping hand in difficult times

Every now and again, there may be doubt surrounding how a will was made, or a dependant or family member(s) might feel that a will doesn’t make adequate provision for them. If a disagreement occurs between beneficiaries, our team of specialist Contentious Trusts Wills and Estates Team is on hand to support.

We are often called on to act as an independent administrator if, for example, there are conflicts between executors or there are other reasons why an independent executor is needed.

Services from our Private Client team

Our Private Wealth sector

Clients who have built a significant assets base may face a complex legal and tax landscape. Our experts, who cover a range of legal disciplines, are on hand to provide specialist legal guidance and support to help individuals, their families, trustees and family offices.

Services from our Private Wealth team

Legal updates and thought leadership

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Recognition of our work

Cambridge Law Society Private Client Services Team of the Year

Cambridge Law Society Private Client Services Team of the Year
Investors in People

Investors in People

Legal 500 2025 – Firm to Watch

Legal 500 2025 – Firm to Watch
Legal 500 2025 – Top Tier Firm

Legal 500 2025 – Top Tier Firm

Hear what our clients say about us

Very efficient, all went well.

Client testimonial

I was most impressed by Harriet. She always displayed a high degree of competence and professionalism. It was always a pleasure dealing with her and I would have no hesitation In recommending her to others

Client testimonial

Harriet and her colleague, Paris, were hugely personable and very professional in all dealings regarding re-writing our Wills. We will happily use HCR again.

Client testimonial

Beth and Leanne‘s thorough understanding of the legal intricacies and their strategic approach ensured that we were always well-informed and confident throughout the entire process. They were not only our legal representatives but also our pillars of support during this challenging time. Their compassionate and empathetic nature made us feel heard and valued, and their relentless pursuit of justice on our behalf was truly commendable. Thanks to their hard work and perseverance, we can now move forward with peace of mind and financial security. I wholeheartedly recommend Beth and Leanne to anyone in need of exceptional legal representation. They are truly outstanding professionals who go above and beyond for their clients.

Client testimonial Dispute

I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by Beth and Leanne at HCR Law.

Over the past two years, they have represented me, my mother, and my brother with unwavering dedication and professionalism. Their expertise and commitment were instrumental in enabling us to secure our rightful inheritance from the executor of my stepfather’s estate, who had been stalling the process.

Client testimonial Probate dispute

Your expertise and advice has been invaluable and a great service to me, and is really appreciated. I will gladly recommend you to anybody, without hesitation.

Client testimonial

Newly hired partner Lisa Millington is recommended for trusts involving landed estates.

Legal 500 2025 Private Client – Cambridge

Led by Daniel Curtis, who frequently acts for clients with foreign property or who are domiciled abroad, the practice provides ‘personal service and a knowledge base that is second to none’.

Legal 500 2025 Private Client – Cambridge

HCR Law ‘is a powerhouse for family work in the Midlands’.

Legal 500 2025 Private Client – Hereford

The Legal 500 2025 said “HCR Law’s ‘highly professional’ (Private Client) practice ‘adopts a very professional approach but manages to combine it with a personal touch which is very much in evidence with the practical advice’” and that they are “a go-to name for inheritance tax planning advice and handles trust reorganisations and administrations at a domestic and global level”.

The Legal 500 2025 Private Client

Michelle Abbott immediately made us feel at ease straight away. She is very professional, friendly and extremely helpful. Michelle guided us through the process, providing clear and easy to understand information. In preparing and completing wills, her legal knowledge and attention to detail is excellent.

It’s been a pleasure dealing with both you and your company and I would not hesitate in using your services again or recommending you to family and friends. Thank you very much for all you have done for us

Client Testimonial Will Drafting

Good, clear advice always delivered in a considerate, and often kind manner, without delay or need for chasing. A pleasure to deal with.

Client Testimonial Will Dispute

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