Welcome to Oriel Law

My name is Ruth O’Neill. I am a private client solicitor. My law firm is called Oriel Law and is based in Marylebone, Central London.

Oriel Law specialises in private client work such as wills, inheritance tax and estate planning, power of attorney work and the administration of estates. Oriel Law looks after and advises UK clients and clients with international issues or connections.

I qualified as a solicitor in 1996 and with over 20 years of private client experience, I set up Oriel Law in 2017 to provide a high quality, personal service. I work hard to give my clients peace of mind. I provide advice in a clear and understandable way so that my clients can make informed choices about their arrangements. At all times I am sensitive and caring about the decisions that are being made.

I have many longstanding clients who have been my clients since early in my career and who are happy to recommend me to their family and friends. I also receive referrals from UK and overseas solicitors and lawyers as well as accountants, tax consultants and financial advisers.

If you have a private client issue where you think I can help please get in touch. I would be delighted to hear from you.

With best regards

Ruth

“Ruth provides a very professional service helping to put life in order and giving you the peace of mind and reassurance that your family and you are looked after and protected”

Will client 2017

Wills, Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning

When advising on wills, I consider the client’s personal and financial circumstances and his or her objectives and concerns to work out the most suitable option. My goal is to get a valid, up to date will in place that achieves the client’s wishes and gives the client peace of mind.

Together we consider what assets pass by will and those that may pass outside the will. We look at trust arrangements as well as outright gifts. We go through the various permutations that may arise so that the will arrangements cover the present and the future.

We consider the tax issues and tax planning opportunities that may be available. I advise on inheritance tax planning for UK and non UK clients. We look at the choice of executors, trustees and guardians.

To compliment the will the client may need me to draft subsidiary documents such as a Deed of Appointment of Guardians or letters of wishes. In some circumstances Deeds of Gift or Declarations of Trust may be required to confirm arrangements.

Power of Attorney Work

Whereas a will covers what happens on death, a power of attorney names the person or persons who are authorised to make decisions or deal with a person’s affairs during his lifetime.

I advise on, draft and register Lasting Powers of Attorney for Financial Decisions and for Health & Welfare. Where required, I work closely with medical specialists if capacity or understanding is an issue.

I advise those acting under a power of attorney on their duties and responsibilities as they carry out their role.

Estate Administration

I have extensive experience of administering both UK and international estates. I also have particular experience of extracting UK Grants of Representation where the deceased was resident or domiciled abroad but died leaving an estate in the UK for which a UK Grant of Representation is required. I deal with estates where the deceased left a valid will as well as those where there was no will (intestate estates).

As regards my charges for estate administration, I charge on the basis of time spent. My hourly rate is £395 (plus VAT). The overall cost will depend on how involved Oriel Law will be in the estate administration. In some estates my role is limited to advising on the inheritance tax position and preparing the probate application. Others require a more “hands on” approach where Oriel Law collects the details of the estate’s assets and liabilities, prepares the probate application and inheritance tax account, calculates the tax due (if any), obtains the Grant of Representation and then deals with the estate administration to include overseeing the sale of assets, closure of bank accounts and the distribution of the estate in accordance with the will or the intestacy rules. The time required depends on a number of factors including the arrangements in the will, the nature of the deceased’s assets and the number of beneficiaries but the work usually takes between 15 – 30 hours to complete.

The majority of my administration work involves estates with non UK elements. For each estate I am happy to provide an estimate of my likely fees and the costs involved will depend on that estate’s particular circumstances. In terms of my domestic UK estate administration work, as a general guide, in my experience, my charges to prepare a probate application to obtain a Grant of Representation in a range between £1,500 – £2,800 (plus VAT and disbursements) where there is no inheritance tax liability and £2,800 – £5,500 (plus VAT and disbursements) where there is an inheritance tax liability.

In addition to the cost of the advice given and work done, the estate will incur disbursements. These are costs that are payable to third parties.

Disbursements payable may comprise:

* The Probate Court fee, which is currently £155 and 50p for each sealed copy provided by the Court.

* Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches, which are currently £2 + VAT per name searched.

* Trustee Act notices published in the Law Gazette and local newspapers. This protects the Personal Representatives from personal liability in the event of claims by unknown creditors. The cost of this is currently approximately £300 and is dependent on the publications used.

“I have now worked with Ruth O’Neill for over two years. Ruth has that rare ability to make my clients feel completely at ease and to make the whole complicated process of writing a will straightforward. Clients come away feeling valued and understood – she gives her undivided attention and has such a high level of client care. She is passionate and interested in her clients and her work and this shines through when you meet her. I have used her extensively professionally and more recently for personal matters I wouldn’t hesitate to give her the highest of recommendations.”

PW – Client 2018

Oriel Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA 638028)

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