Jo Edwards
Jo Edwards

Job Title

Associate Solicitor

Direct Number

01903 706981

Email Address

Fax

01903 229172

Department/s

Wills, Trusts and Probate Services

Jo Edwards

Overview

I am a solicitor, currently focusing on Estate administration, but with over 15 years’ experience of helping clients with all aspects of private client law, including Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection.

As a solicitor I enjoy helping clients deal with legal matters that affect them and their families in their personal lives.

I joined Bennett Griffin in 2005 as a Trainee Solicitor, and right from the beginning I knew that this area of law suited me. I enjoy meeting new people, and guiding them through what are often difficult and sensitive issues. My clients benefit from the extensive knowledge and experience that I have accumulated during my career.

Qualifications

Recent Cases

Recently assisted an Executor get to grips with a fairly complex Inheritance Tax account where the deceased had made a number of lifetime gifts that affected the Inheritance Tax position.  Following a thorough investigation of the deceased’s finances and a careful application of the available exemptions, Jo was able to save the Estate over £12,000 in Inheritance Tax.

When a person dies without making a Will, their Estate is dealt with under the rules of intestacy. Jo recently dealt with a very complex intestate Estate that involved tracking down long-lost relatives. Being able to identify a true beneficiary and making that first phone call to them is very satisfying; just like an episode of Heir Hunters!

Mrs P is a lovely local lady who was widowed some years ago. She is intelligent, fiercely independent, and close to her family, even though they live far away. Jo first met Mrs P when she wanted to update her Will, and make a Lasting Power of Attorney. As her family were not local, Mrs P asked Bennett Griffin to be her Executors and Attorneys, which we were happy to do. Unfortunately, Mrs P suffered a stroke the following year, and was incapacitated for a few weeks. Thanks to the Lasting Power of Attorney, Jo was immediately able to take control of her finances to ensure that she was protected and received the care she needed. As Mrs P recovered, she was able to make decisions for herself but could not action them, which she found incredibly frustrating and upsetting. Jo was able to support her through this, giving her back her independence and providing an important link with her family.

When Mr F died suddenly, there was an awful lot of paperwork to be sorted out. His family were not local, and unfortunately they did not all get along. Luckily, Mr F had anticipated these problems, and had appointed Bennett Griffin as his Executors. Jo was able to secure his assets, and provide a link for communication between the two sides of the family. Mr F’s estate was rather large and complicated, and involved Trusts and Inheritance Tax. Despite these issues, Jo was able to administer the estate in a timely manner, to the satisfaction of all involved.

When Ms H was taken ill unexpectedly, her son did not know which way to turn. Ms H required specialist nursing care, which is expensive, but the banks would not release any money from her accounts to pay for it. Ms H’s son was also stuck with looking after his mother’s empty house, which was many miles away from where he lived. Unfortunately, Ms H had not made a Power of Attorney, but Jo was able to guide her son through the Court of Protection process so that he could obtain the authority to access her accounts and sell her house. Jo was also able to help him obtain an emergency interim order from the Court so that her nursing fees were paid promptly. Jo then went on to advise Ms H’s son about NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding, which is non-means-tested funding for nursing care fees.

Areas of Expertise

Memberships

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Client Testimonials