Private Client Solicitor, New Milton / Private Client Solicitor, Lymington

Private Client Solicitor or Legal Practitioner

The below job specification is for a senior practitioner and we would be still interested in more junior candidates from NQ level who are working towards some of these skills.

The firm’s biggest need is for a Probate practitioner.

Aims

Client Services

To provide advice, management, drafting, execution, and registration services in the following areas:

• Wills.
• Lasting Powers of Attorney.
• Enduring and General Powers of Attorney.
• Court of Protection Deputyship Orders.
• Management of Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare where the Firm is appointed.
• Probate and Administration of Estates.
• Trusts.
• Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning.

Duties

To achieve the Aims by carrying out the following duties.

Client Services

• Meeting clients and taking instructions.
• Assessing client instructions and goals and considering whether they are achievable within the current legal framework and how to achieve them.
• Advice both written and verbal on legal and practical matters.
• Drafting legal documents.
• Liaising with clients, colleagues, solicitors, estate agents, HMRC, HMCTS, accountants, IFAs, social services, doctors etc.
• Keeping a compliant file for the matter whether physical or digital.
• Keeping deadlines and monitoring key dates.
• Assessing whether you are competent to advise on a matter and referring if appropriate.
• Managing client expectations.
• Costing: advising clients on costs and keeping any estimate updated.

Administrative

• Typing my own documents where it is expedient to do so.
• Dictating typing and other administrative tasks for an assistant where it is expedient to do so.
• Corresponding by phone, letter and email with clients and third parties to ensure the smooth running of my files.
• Ensuring that I follow processes and systems in place.

Compliance

• Ensuring all files are compliant with internal and external standards and regulations.
• Continuing professional development.

Financial

• Managing billing to ensure I meet the firm’s expectations monthly.
• Time costing files to accurately bill the client.
• Drafting and finalising Estate accounts on probate matters according to STEP rules.
• Compliance with SRA Accounts Rules.