Gemma Shepherd

Overview

I am a Senior Associate in Michelmores’ Trust, Tax and Succession team. I advise a wide range of clients on all aspects of private client work. This includes advice on Wills, Trusts, Lifetime Tax Planning, Powers of Attorney and all aspects of Estate Administration.

I am keen to assist families in confidently planning their assets across multiple generations which is why I am a full member of STEP whose mission aligns with this. I currently sit on the committee of the West of England branch of STEP.

I am passionate about ensuring the older and vulnerable members of our community have access to legal services which is echoed in my work as Regional Director for the Devon and Cornwall branch of Solicitors for the Elderly.

I’ve been part of the team at Michelmores for nearly four years, having trained and worked at a London firm before relocating back to the south west.

Recent experience

Advising on Tax planning through Wills and post death variations to maximise the use of Inheritance Tax allowances including the Residence Nil Rate Band and available tax reliefs such as Business Property Relief and Agricultural Property Relief and to take advantage of the reduced rate of Inheritance Tax which applies where at least 10% of an estate passes to charity.

Preparing a wide variety of Wills for clients with different circumstances such as Wills incorporating discretionary trusts and those which provide for Disabled Beneficiaries.

Assisting personal representatives with extracting a grant of probate or letters of administration and guiding them through the process of administering estates in accordance with a will or the rules of intestacy. This includes high net worth estates and estates where it is necessary to negotiate with HMRC on obtaining suitable reliefs for Inheritance Tax and estates with multi-jurisdictional aspects.

Advising on applications to the Court of Protection for the appointment of deputy’s to deal with a person’s property and financial affairs where there were no prior arrangements in place before they lost capacity.