Watson Ramsbottom Director Stuart Maher has recently been granted full membership of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) having successfully passed four exams in the field of trusts and estates to obtain the STEP Diploma.
STEP is a leading worldwide professional body for practitioners in the fields of trusts, estates and related issues and its members help families secure their financial future and protect the interest of vulnerable relatives. STEP also promotes the highest professional standards through education and training, leading to widely respected professional qualifications.
By becoming a full member of STEP, Stuart is now entitled to use the TEP designation. The letters TEP add a degree of recognition for current and potential clients and indicate a real understanding of issues he deals with on a daily basis, using a pro-active approach to provide solutions which are compatible with all the latest developments in this area of law. By completing the STEP Diploma, Stuart has also been also been able to show a knowledge and understanding of trusts and estates that will be converted into practical, applied competence for the benefit of our clients.
Stuart is a Solicitor and Director at Watson Ramsbottom and heads the Private Client Department, specialising in Wills and Estate Planning, Probate, Tax Planning, Powers of Attorney and Care Fee advice. Under his guidance the department continues to build its reputation locally for expertise in preparation of Trusts and Inheritance Tax planning and advising clients on reducing liability to future residential care charges.
Stuart said “I am delighted to finally have achieved the accreditation which I have worked for over the last 2½ years studying some 6-8 hours per week in addition to managing my hard working team of lawyers.
‘Whilst the four examinations were quite challenging, my knowledge in key areas of trusts and estates administration have been reinforced and developed further, which I have also been able to pass down to my team.
“The designation TEP indicates the high level of expertise that we provide to all our clients both with their wills and estate planning and subsequently in respect of trust and estate administration”.
Watson Ramsbottom Managing Director Phillip Thompson added “We are delighted that the hard work put in by Stuart in achieving this accreditation has paid off and his advanced knowledge in this area of law is now recognised with such a well respected qualification in his field.
‘It will enable Stuart and his team to advise all our clients to an internationally recognised level of expertise and we hope that our clients will continue to reap the benefits of his team’s knowledge for many years to come. In addition, the stringent training requirements, which are more than double that normally required of a solicitor, will ensure that he and his team are kept fully abreast of developments in this area of law, enabling our clients to be fully advised of relevant changes in legislation that may impact upon their wills and estate planning”.
For further information or to arrange an appointment to discuss any of the services mentioned in this article please contact Stuart Maher on 01254 88 44 22 or email stuart.maher@watsonramsbottom.com