Alex Drake
Head of Department - Partner
Private Client
About
I am a partner and Head of our Private Client Department, based in St Albans. I offer specialist advice on a wide range of issues relating to Wills and Estate planning (including Inheritance Tax mitigation) as well as applying for Grants of Probate and handling administration of Estates and regularly act as an Executor.
I assist and advise elderly clients as necessary in relation to their affairs generally and in particular on the preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney and their registration. I also act as an attorney for clients and on several occasions have been appointed as a professional Deputy by the Court of Protection.
In addition, I have advised and dealt with the creation and ongoing running of Trusts, the tax implications and I also regularly act as a Trustee.
Having been in practice specialising in Private Client work for over 30 years, I have built up a large following of clients many of whom followed me when I moved firms. I am now acting in some cases for third generations of families in dealing with their personal affairs. I pride myself on providing straight forward, clear and concise advice in plain English in a friendly and approachable manner without the use of more legal jargon than is strictly necessary.
I joined Taylor Walton as a partner in 2009 and became Head of Department in 2019. Having trained and qualified at a major London law firm, I worked in their private client team for over 10 years before moving to a firm closer to home.
Interests
Outside of Taylor Walton Alex is a Governor of a local prep school. She also enjoys travelling, swimming and gardening.
Experience
- Acted on behalf of a family (parents and two adult sons and their wives) in respect of estate planning to include drafting of complex Wills and letters of wishes, preparing and registering LPAs, advising on inheritance tax mitigation through the generations and subsequently setting up a discretionary trust for the benefit of grandchildren.
- Instructed by clients previously involved in a dispute over the misuse of powers of attorney and then probate issues for a parent. Instructed to carry out estate planning to include the preparation of Lasting Powers of attorney and complex Wills to cover various business assets and properties whilst being sensitive to understandable fears about family conflicts and issues taking into account this was a second marriage and only one of the couple has children.
- Instructed with regard to re-organisation of several family trusts created previously by grandparents in favour of their children and grandchildren.
- On more than one occasion I have prepared Wills and set up Trusts for elderly clients whose estates run into millions including both personal and business assets. I have subsequently helped the families in administering those estates and where possible reorganising assets to mitigate inheritance tax even further.
Joined Taylor Walton in 2009
This week is ‘Remember a Charity Week’
‘Remember A Charity Week’ aims to raise awareness of the benefits of leaving a financial gift to charitable causes in your Will and this year runs from 6 – 12 September. The event is organised by ‘Remember A Charity’, which is itself a charity, and brings together 200 charities that rely on gifts in Wills…
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A social media post by former Eastenders star Tamzin Outhwaite, made it clear recently just how much of a mistake it could be to not keep your Will up to date, after sharing an image of her recently purchased shepherd’s hut. In the post, Outhwaite states: “I used the money left to me when my…