FIRM ENHANCES SUPPORT TO CHARITIES WITH NEW LEGACY ADMINISTRATION SERVICE

Shakespeare Martineau has expanded the support it provides to charities with its newly-launched legacy administration service – helping organisations maximise the gifts they receive in wills.

Alongside interim or permanent legacy administration services, the offering provides charities across England and Wales with strategic legacy project work, legacy forecasting and budgeting, procedure reviews, and team training.

As part of the launch, the firm, which has office hubs in Birmingham, Solihull and Stratford-upon-Avon, has welcomed specialist solicitor Gaynor Lanceley to head-up the service –bringing with her almost 20 years’ experience in legacy administration.

A highly experienced solicitor who has both the STEP and Solicitors for the Elderly accreditations, Gaynor has joined Shakespeare Martineau from Catherine Higgins Law. Prior to this, she worked at Jackson Lees Group and Morecrofts Solicitors. Over the years, she has supported multiple charities, including the Yorkshire and North West air ambulance charities, and was previously a trustee for the Woodlands Hospice.

Gaynor, who will be primarily based at home in Liverpool but working with clients and teams nationally, said: “There are very few law firms in the UK that offer a legacy administration service, particularly in the midlands and the north, so this launch is a fabulous experience, venture and opportunity for us.

“I am passionate about working with charities to help them to recognise the importance of legacy income, which is growing year on year. Gifts to charity are very personal and mean so much to the donor who kindly included them in their will – the importance of even the smallest such gift should never be underestimated.

“As a solicitor, I can explain the terms set out in wills and trusts and decode legal jargon. I can answer complex tax and accounts issues, and provide updates regarding the legal administrative process. For me, this is the best job in the world and it is a privilege to be able to work with charities to maximise the gifts they receive in wills and ensure their supporters’ wishes are carried out.

“I am looking forward to supporting charities – making sure they get the gift that is intended for them in its entirety.”

Research by charity legacy consortium Legacy Foresight shows the total UK legacy income grew from £800m in 1990 to £3bn in 2020.