Charlotte Whitmore

Wills and Estate Planning

Charlotte Whitmore advises families on wills, probate, trusts and inheritance tax from Willowfield Solicitors in London, with particular experience in estates that span more than one country.

Ms. Whitmore qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales and has spent over a decade in private client practice. She drafts wills for UK and international clients, advises on testamentary capacity and formal execution requirements, and helps clients choose executors and guardians. Her approach is to understand the family's assets and intentions first, then prepare a will that is clear, validly executed and practical to administer.

For clients with assets in China and the UK, she explains how separate wills for different jurisdictions can be coordinated to reduce conflict, and when a single will may or may not be appropriate. She does not recommend a universal approach: the right structure depends on where the assets sit, how they are held and the succession rules that apply in each country.

Probate and Estate Administration

When a death occurs, Ms. Whitmore guides executors and family members through the grant of representation, the identification and valuation of assets, the inheritance tax account, payment of liabilities and distribution to beneficiaries. She manages the administrative timeline so that estates are concluded without unnecessary delay, and is experienced in cases involving foreign assets, foreign currency accounts and beneficiaries resident outside the UK.

Trusts

Ms. Whitmore advises on the creation and administration of trusts for succession planning, including discretionary trusts and trusts for vulnerable or minor beneficiaries. She explains the roles of settlor, trustee and protector in plain terms, and the tax consequences of establishing, funding and distributing from a trust. Trusts are considered as one option within a broader plan rather than a default recommendation.

Inheritance Tax

Inheritance tax planning is a core part of her practice. Ms. Whitmore advises on the nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band, exempt transfers, lifetime gifts, business and agricultural reliefs, and the interaction of these rules with foreign assets. She works with tax advisers where the estate involves overseas property or non-UK domicile questions, and is careful to distinguish planning that is lawful from arrangements that are not.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

Ms. Whitmore prepares lasting powers of attorney for property and financial affairs and for health and welfare, and advises on the safeguards that should be built into them. She encourages clients to make LPAs as part of any estate plan, so that decisions can be made by someone they trust if they lose capacity.

Cross-Border Estates and Conflict of Laws

For families with UK and Chinese assets, Ms. Whitmore works with the framework of English succession law and the private international law rules that determine which jurisdiction governs movable and immovable property. She advises on the recognition of foreign grants of representation in England and Wales, the practical requirements for administering an estate where a grant was obtained abroad, and the coordination of multiple wills. Where Chinese law is engaged, she works alongside Chinese counsel so that the family receives advice that is consistent across both jurisdictions.

Working with International Families

Ms. Whitmore is used to working with families who divide their time between the UK and Asia. She provides written advice in clear English, meets clients via video where needed, and coordinates with advisers in the client's home jurisdiction. Engagement terms, fees and communication arrangements are confirmed at the outset, and files are kept organised so that a future executor can understand them without difficulty.