Business Details
43 Years
experience
Trusted Legal Advisers Since 1983
Foster Harrington Solicitors have been trusted legal advisers since 1983, serving clients in Berkshire, Surrey, and surrounding areas. Our dedicated team combines sophisticated technology with expert, personable lawyers to deliver high-quality legal services tailored to individual needs. With over four decades of experience, we specialise in Wills, Probate, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Inheritance Tax Planning, and Conveyancing, guiding clients through life's most important moments with professionalism and compassion.Our partners, Matthew Bell and Michael Calfe, continue the firm's legacy of providing accessible, bespoke legal solutions while maintaining a five-star personal service. We prioritise transparency, clear communication, and long-term client relationships, ensuring complex legal matters are resolved efficiently and empathetically. Our multi-disciplinary approach and commitment to continuous improvement have earned us a reputation as a reliable, ethical firm with a focus on client satisfaction.
Services
Wills
Probate
Trusts
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Inheritance Tax Planning
Conveyancing
Divorce & Family Law
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience guiding clients through legal matters.
- Our team provides compassionate, personable service tailored to individual needs.
- We combine sophisticated technology with expertise from top London firms.
- We offer transparent, jargon-free advice with a five-star client focus.
- Our partners are ranked in the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide.
What people say
Warm and friendly
Highly ethical
Straightforward advice
Compassionate support
Expert knowledge
Services
Wills
Our expert solicitors create tailored Wills to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. We address complex scenarios including international assets, business holdings, and vulnerable beneficiaries. Clients receive clear, jargon-free guidance to structure tax-efficient Wills that reflect their unique circumstances.
Probate
We provide compassionate probate assistance, managing estate administration with efficiency and sensitivity. Our team handles tax liabilities, international assets, and complex family dynamics while offering continuous support during emotionally challenging times.
Trusts
Our Trusts service helps clients protect assets for future generations through tax-efficient structures. We establish Trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries, care fee mitigation, and intergenerational wealth transfer, combining legal expertise with long-term financial planning.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
We help clients create Lasting Powers of Attorney to appoint trusted decision-makers for financial or health matters. Our process ensures legal validity and clarity, with guidance on implementation during incapacity.
Inheritance Tax Planning
Our specialists assess inheritance tax liabilities and implement strategies to preserve family wealth. Services include lifetime gifting, Trust structures, and Business Property Relief planning for estates exceeding 325,000.
People
Matthew Bell
Partner
Specialising in Wills, Probate, and Inheritance Tax planning, Matthew provides clear solutions for complex estates. He advises high-net-worth clients on tax mitigation and mental capacity matters.
Michael Calfe
Partner
Ranked in Chambers & Partners, Michael handles international estates and non-domicile clients. His expertise includes cross-border asset management and vulnerable beneficiary trusts.
Avril Turner
Private Client Solicitor
With 30 years' experience, Avril specialises in Wills, Probate, and Lasting Powers of Attorney. She maintains long-term client relationships and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Richard Ince
Residential Property Solicitor
Richard offers expert conveyancing services with a focus on property transactions. His legal expertise ensures smooth residential property transfers and remortgage processes.
Questions
How can I create a legally valid Will?
Contact our Wills specialists for a consultation. We'll guide you through asset assessment, beneficiary designation, and tax planning to create a tailored, legally binding Will.
What happens if someone dies without a Will?
The estate is distributed according to intestacy rules. Our Probate team can help executors navigate this process and ensure legal compliance during estate administration.
How do Lasting Powers of Attorney work?
We help you appoint trusted attorneys to manage finances or health decisions. The documents must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian to become legally effective.
Can Inheritance Tax be reduced legally?
Yes, through strategic planning including Trusts, lifetime gifting, and Business Property Relief. Our specialists create tailored solutions for estates exceeding £325,000.
What conveyancing services do you offer?
We handle residential property transactions including purchases, sales, remortgages, and lease extensions with fixed pricing and dedicated lawyer support throughout the process.
Reviews (4)
Avninder Sehmi
Dec 06, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality
I have know this firm for a few months now and would note that they are a traditional, no-negligence, highly ethical, firm delivering quality bespoke service with highly experienced matrimonial professionals. Their senior partner is highly experience in wills and probate, family law and inheritance matters.
I have know this firm for a few months now and would note that they are a traditional, no-negligence, highly ethical, firm delivering quality bespoke service with highly experienced matrimonial professionals. Their senior partner is highly experience in wills and probate, family law and inheritance matters.
An
Feb 23, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Responsiveness
Excellent conveyancing advice and service from Elaine Bradshaw, Nikki and Debbie. We were kept informed, never had to chase for responses. We have no hesitation in recommending Foster Harrington.
Excellent conveyancing advice and service from Elaine Bradshaw, Nikki and Debbie. We were kept informed, never had to chase for responses. We have no hesitation in recommending Foster Harrington.
Valerie Preston
Jan 21, 2021
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FH were absolutely amazing with the sale of my house. I had not moved for 35 years and they guided me through all the procedures and processes with tremendous professionalism, kindness, patience and always protecting my interests. The team of Elaine Bradshaw and Debbie Harvey were very efficient and always quick to respond to any issues. They had to deal with the vendors conveyancing company that had their call centre in Sri Lanka. The numerous calls to actually speak to a person who could speak English would have tried the patience of anyone but they kept very professional at all times and persevered
Aki Halo
Oct 09, 2020
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We recently bought our first house with the help of Elaine Bradshaw & her team, and we had a wonderful experience. Throughout, Elaine, Nikki, Jane, and Debbie were incredibly helpful and responsive, were very thorough with their enquiries, and always made us feel like they had our best interests in mind. We couldn't imagine using a different solicitor in the future. Thank you all!
