Mrs Fiona Ashworth > Thompson Smith and Puxon > Colchester, England > Lawyer Profile

Thompson Smith and Puxon Offices

Thompson Smith and Puxon
STABLE 6, STABLE ROAD
COLCHESTER
CO2 7GL
England
Visit website 01206 574431 01206 563174

Mrs Fiona Ashworth

Fiona Ashworth photo
+44 (0)1206 217057 [email protected] View profile View profile View profile

Work Department

Wills and Estates

Position

Director, Solicitor

Career

Fiona, who qualified as a solicitor in 1999, joined the TSP Wills and Estates team in August 2014 as Team Leader. Fiona has extensive experience and advises clients on their Wills and succession planning, Powers of Attorney (Lasting Powers and the registration of Enduring Powers), the administration of estates, tax and trust matters and Court of Protection cases. She has developed a particular specialism working with elderly clients and her farming background has helped her to develop an agricultural client base. Since January 2016 Fiona M Ashworth Ltd, a company of which Fiona is a Director, has been a corporate partner in Thompson Smith and Puxon.

Fiona, who was born in Colchester, has long established links with the town. Her Father, David Cannon, is a former Mayor (1998), and she attended Colchester County High School for Girls. She completed both her Law Degree and her Legal Practice Course at Anglia Ruskin University, before going on to train with a Colchester law firm. During her training Fiona worked in Wills and Probate and on “elderly client” matters and decided that this was the area of the law that she wanted to focus on.

Fiona is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), an independent national organisation of lawyers who provide specialist legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers. Fiona is also a qualified member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). STEP is the leading worldwide professional body for practitioners in the fields of trusts, estates and related issues. STEP members help families to plan for their long term financial future, providing expert advice on how to comply with the often complex law and tax rules surrounding trusts, estates and inheritance. She is a past Trustee of the Essex Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and is also a council member of the Essex Agricultural Society.

Languages

English

Memberships

Qualified Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Full Accredited Member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE)

Lawyer Rankings

South East > Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Essex

(Leading partners)

Fiona Ashworth – Thompson Smith and Puxon

Noted for its strong focus on the agricultural sector, Thompson Smith and Puxon exhibits broad knowledge of estate administration, mandates involving the preservation of assets in the event of care being required, and the preparation of wills. In January 2024, Robert Ashworth took over the leadership of the department from Fiona Ashworth. Both are key contacts for agriculture sector clients, advising on the full range of matters involving wills and powers of attorney. Nicola Healy is recommended for her focus on trust creation and inheritance, capital gains, and income tax matters. Natasha Swift left the firm in June 2023.

South East > Private client > Agriculture and estates

Thompson Smith and Puxon houses ‘a strong team of professionals’ that advises on diversification opportunities, rural property sales, and estate planning work. Practicing in Colchester, Stephen Firmin heads up the practice with more than three decades of experience in the field. Noted for being ‘extremely good with options and development work’, Kerry Addison routinely advises clients on high-value land transactions. Fiona Ashworth is recommended for matters relating to succession planning, taxation, and trusts, and Kriti Sherchan regularly assists the team with rural site acquisitions and land development schemes.

Lawyer Rankings

Top Tier Firm Rankings

Firm Rankings