Practice area 03
Wills, estates & probate.
Drafting wills, advising on estate planning, and administering estates after death. The Isle of Man's role in international trust structures means many of our private client matters involve cross- jurisdictional questions - which we handle as part of the matter, not as a separate referral.
A
Wills & estate planning
Straightforward wills, more complex arrangements, and lasting powers of attorney.
Will drafting for private clients, ranging from simple wills for individuals and couples to more complex arrangements involving trusts, business interests, or cross-border assets. We advise on the practical and tax implications of the choices being made.
Lasting powers of attorney - both for property and financial affairs and for personal welfare - are drafted alongside wills as part of a complete arrangement. We also advise on existing powers of attorney and on the registration process where capacity has been lost.
- Wills for individuals, couples, and blended families
- Mirror wills and life interest trusts
- Lasting powers of attorney (property and finances; personal welfare)
- Cross-border estate planning (Isle of Man with UK or other jurisdictions)
B
Estate administration
Applications for probate and the work of administering an estate.
Applications for grants of probate and letters of administration, and the work involved in distributing an estate to beneficiaries. We act for executors and administrators on testate and intestate estates - including estates with assets in more than one jurisdiction.
Most estates are administered within nine to fifteen months from the date of death. Complex estates - those with significant cross-border assets, business interests, or contentious elements - can take longer; we will tell you upfront what to expect.
C
Trust matters
Trust disputes, beneficiary representation, and the legal aspects of trustee work.
We act for beneficiaries, trustees, and protectors on a range of trust matters - construction disputes, breach of trust claims, removal and replacement of trustees, and the practical questions that arise during the lifetime of a trust.
The Isle of Man is a long-established trust jurisdiction. The matters we see often involve Manx trusts with UK or international beneficiaries, or international trusts with Manx trustees. We handle the cross-jurisdictional aspects as part of the matter.
How this work runs
What to expect.
Lead advocate
Catherine Kewley, Partner.
Catherine leads our wills, probate, and private client work, with David acting on commercial and trustee aspects where they arise.
Fees
Fixed-fee on most will drafting, quoted in writing at the start.
Estate administration is charged on agreed hourly rates with cost updates at agreed milestones - typically at grant, mid-administration, and distribution.
Typical timeline
Two to four weeks from first meeting to signed will on a standard matter.
Estate administration: nine to fifteen months from death is typical. Complex estates take longer.
Make an appointment.
Catherine sees clients for an initial conversation on wills and estate planning at no charge - up to thirty minutes.