Business Details
Trusted Legal & Financial Services in Chester
Cullimore Dutton is a distinguished legal and financial services firm with a heritage dating back to 1792. Our integrated approach combines expert legal counsel with tailored financial advice, delivered by a team of seasoned professionals committed to client-centric solutions. We pride ourselves on our Lexcel and ISO 9001 accreditations, reflecting our dedication to quality, compliance, and client care. With decades of collective experience, our solicitors and financial advisors specialise in areas such as Wills and Probate, Family Law, Property Conveyancing, and High-Net-Worth matters.Our collaborative ethos ensures seamless service across legal and financial domains, addressing complex client needs with clarity and empathy. We serve individuals and businesses in Chester and beyond, upholding values of integrity, respect, and excellence in every interaction.
Services
Wills and Probate
Family Law
Property Conveyancing
Financial Advice
High-Net-Worth
Highlights and features
- Established in 1792, we combine centuries of legal expertise with modern financial insight.
- Integrated legal and financial services for cohesive, client-centric solutions.
- Lexcel and ISO 9001 accredited, ensuring quality and compliance standards.
- Award-winning team with specialists in Wills, Probate, Family Law, and Property.
- Client testimonials highlight compassionate, efficient service during sensitive matters.
Associations and certifications
- Lexcel
- ISO 9001
What people say
Excellent service
Compassionate approach
Smooth process
Responsive team
Expert guidance
Services
Wills and Probate
Our Wills and Probate service ensures your wishes are respected and loved ones protected. We guide clients through drafting Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, probate administration, and trust creation with empathy and expertise. With over 70 years of combined experience and STEP-qualified specialists, we simplify complex processes while minimising tax liabilities. Clients benefit from tailored advice, free will registration, and a compassionate approach during sensitive times.
Family Law
We provide expert support for divorce, financial settlements, child arrangements, and cohabitation agreements. Our team prioritises amicable resolutions through mediation but advocates fiercely in court when needed. Brenda Spain, a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw, heads this department, ensuring outcomes that protect clients' interests and family stability. Services include prenuptial agreements, civil partnership dissolution, and child custody arrangements with clarity and care.
Property Conveyancing
Specialising in residential and commercial property transactions, we offer seamless conveyancing under the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme. Our team handles purchases, sales, leases, and remortgages, managing risks and timelines efficiently. Accredited by major lenders, we provide transparent cost estimates via our online quote builder and ensure compliance with SDLT/LTT requirements. Clients praise our responsiveness and expertise in complex transactions.
Financial Advice
Our independent financial advisors deliver bespoke wealth management solutions, integrating legal expertise for holistic planning. Services include pension reviews, investment strategies, and tax-efficient estate planning. Accredited by the Financial Conduct Authority, we prioritise long-term client goals, offering ongoing support to align financial decisions with personal and familial needs.
High-Net-Worth
Tailored support for high-net-worth individuals navigating divorce, asset division, and international financial arrangements. We specialise in valuing complex assets like offshore accounts and businesses, ensuring fair settlements while safeguarding interests. Our collaborative approach combines legal and financial expertise to resolve disputes efficiently, with a focus on discretion and strategic outcomes.
People
Adele Bebbington-Plant
Head of Private Client & Business Development Director
With over 20 years in private client law, Adele leads our Wills, Trusts, and Estates team. She focuses on tax-efficient estate planning and client relationship growth, blending expertise with compassionate service.
Louise Holmes
Solicitor, Head of Wills, Trusts and Estates
Louise specialises in Wills, Probate, and Tax planning, guiding clients through sensitive matters with empathy. She ensures legal clarity while minimising inheritance tax liabilities for families.
Brenda Spain
Client Relationship Director and Head of Family
A Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw, Brenda oversees family law cases, including divorce and child arrangements. Her client-focused approach prioritises stability and fair financial settlements during emotionally challenging times.
Sarah Davies
Managing Director & Head of Property
Sarah leads our property team, managing residential and commercial conveyancing. Accredited under the Law Society's CQS, she ensures efficient, risk-minimised property transactions for clients.
Stuart Hill
Legal Director
Stuart specialises in property law, overseeing complex conveyancing and commercial leases. His expertise ensures clients receive strategic legal advice aligned with their business and personal property goals.
Questions
What areas of law does Cullimore Dutton specialise in?
We specialise in Wills and Probate, Family Law, Property Conveyancing, Financial Advice, and High-Net-Worth cases, offering integrated legal and financial solutions.
Are your services accredited?
Yes, we hold Lexcel and ISO 9001 accreditations, and our property team is accredited under the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme.
How long does a typical conveyancing process take?
Most transactions take 12-14 weeks, though timelines vary based on complexity and third-party coordination.
Do you offer free initial consultations?
Yes, we provide free initial consultations for property and financial advice services.
How are legal fees structured?
Fees are transparent and provided upfront. For conveyancing, we offer a free online quote builder with no hidden costs.
Can you assist with international assets in divorce cases?
Yes, our high-net-worth team handles complex asset valuations, including offshore accounts and international properties.
Reviews (7)
Dan Fisher
Dec 20, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Used Cullimore Dutton for the purchase of our first property. They were excellent throughout, easy to contact and responded to emails usually the same day. Sarah, Lyndsey and the rest of the team worked to get it all completed on a desirable date for us, couldn't recommend them enough.
Used Cullimore Dutton for the purchase of our first property. They were excellent throughout, easy to contact and responded to emails usually the same day. Sarah, Lyndsey and the rest of the team worked to get it all completed on a desirable date for us, couldn't recommend them enough.
Steve Gould
Sep 04, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
CDS recently dealt with the sale and purchase of our home during the final days of the Stamp Duty 'holiday'. They dealt with it very efficiently and professionally despite the high level of demand at that time. We were very satisfied. SG
CDS recently dealt with the sale and purchase of our home during the final days of the Stamp Duty 'holiday'. They dealt with it very efficiently and professionally despite the high level of demand at that time. We were very satisfied. SG
Martin Ogden
Aug 22, 2021
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Having previously experienced a poor-quality service from my parents solicitors in Oldham, I am so pleased that my wife and I turned to Cullimore Dutton to deal with the conveyancing of our house move, a process which could so easily have gone wrong given that the buyers of our old home had requested a speedy completion in the middle of a pandemic! Fortunately, Lesley Stuart along with her colleagues Kara, Koral, and Shirley proved to be the friendly, helpful, professional team we needed, and everything went through on time without a hitch. Our estate agent even said that they were the most
James Childs
Aug 05, 2021
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Cant thank Stuart, Kara and Sarah enough for the way handled both my sale and purchase of our new home. Always answered all my emails and I did send them far to many! Always kept me informed of everything that was going on, and just went the extra mile for me and my family. You have to have faith in your solicitors and Stuart and the team were absolutely fantastic. Thank you again! I wouldnt hesitate to use you again but my wife said his is our last home haha.
Mick Flaherty
Jun 02, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Quite simply the best conveyancing experience Ive ever had. Stuart, Sarah (and the rest of their team) were exemplary from the start exceeding my expectations after quite a bad experience with another local firm. If youre reading this, chances are youll be looking for a solicitor. Your search ends here.
Quite simply the best conveyancing experience Ive ever had. Stuart, Sarah (and the rest of their team) were exemplary from the start exceeding my expectations after quite a bad experience with another local firm. If youre reading this, chances are youll be looking for a solicitor. Your search ends here.
Sally Mills
May 20, 2021
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Brenda Spain was wonderful throughout my painful divorce, reassuring me and keeping me calm throughout. My marriage had been a long one and it is fair to say that there were times when I emotionally wavered, but Brenda gave me the reassurance I needed as a result of her kind, but always professional support and expertise. Brenda strove throughout to negotiate the best financial outcome, so I could be sure of a secure future and I am very thankful.
Rj Crafts & Baking
Apr 26, 2021
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Having watched the mess they have made of assisting family with buying and selling property, before having to do much of the work we would expect of a solicitor ourselves. I can only advise people to avoid this shambles of a company, difficult to contact, no response unless chased and no idea of what customer service or customer care is. Luckily family have seen sense and shall be taking our future business elsewhere.
