Estella is a senior associate in the private client and tax team, focusing on pensions - related matters.
She specialises in all aspects of UK pensions, and the UK tax treatment of overseas pension schemes, in the context of wealth planning and also in relation to employer obligations and corporate transactions. Having joined Withers from an occupational pensions background, Estella has extensive experience advising trustees and employers (including not-for-profit organisations) on their options, obligations and liabilities. Estella's experience extends to advising on benefit design changes, member complaints, automatic enrolment, scheme mergers, liability management exercises, and general trust law queries relating to pension schemes.
As a member of Withers' private client team, Estella is involved in advising on wealth planning matters for UK domiciled and non-UK domiciled individuals and families, with a particular focus on issues relating to UK and overseas pensions. The team advises individuals on their retirement and death benefit options under existing pension arrangements, pensions tax allowances and liabilities, transfer options and, in the context of the pension flexibilities introduced in April 2015, the succession planning opportunities now available in relation to individuals' pension savings. Estella also helps individuals to identify the options and limitations affecting pensions in the context of divorce.
Estella also advises generally within the private client sphere on a range of wealth planning matters impacting successful individuals and their families. She advises individuals in respect of their tax, trust and estate planning, including clients who are either non-UK domiciled and/or non-UK resident.
Me in a minute
I enjoy not knowing what each day may hold, and often applying my mind to issues that I haven't previously had to consider
Before joining Withers I was a corporate pensions solicitor. I enjoyed the academic challenge and rapid pace of change that comes with being a pensions lawyer, but found myself increasingly drawn to being involved in my clients' lives, and to advising on a personal as well as business level. Blending wealth planning with pensions seemed the perfect solution. The significant changes to pensions in 2015 has meant that a person's pension can now be used in many different ways when estate planning; a legal area which is new, exciting and in its early stages of development.
My role allows me to act for individuals, charities, trustees and companies, and offers a hugely varied work-life. I enjoy not knowing what each day may hold, and often applying my mind to issues that I haven't previously had to consider. Helping clients to find solutions to their problems is incredibly rewarding.
Outside of being a lawyer, I'm a mum, wife, passionate horse-rider, volunteer, Francophile, avid fan of Coronation Street, and keen baker.