Jointly led by Andrew Durkan and Richard Bussell, Sills & Betteridge LLP‘s Lincoln-based wills trusts and probate practice acts for businesses and landowners. Singled out as a ’powerhouse of trust knowledge’, Durkan is well versed in family estate planning. Bussell is a specialist in succession planning and regularly advises clients in the agricultural sector.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Richard Bussell has excellent knowledge and is approachable and provides practical advice.’
‘The individuals that I have dealt with are everything you would hope for. Responsive, knowledgeable, empathetic and understanding of difficult family decisions. Richard always presents the facts clearly, with all options laid out then encourages me in my decision making process.’
‘Their knowledge is next to none, they understand what I need before I even know! Excellent knowledge, and genuinely have an interest in you.’
‘Andrew Durkan is a powerhouse of Trust knowledge. Every single thing he advised in some way benefited the management and execution of the Trust.’
‘Andrew Durkan has been of great assistance to me and my family, providing expert and clear guidance on family estate planning. He has been able to work with various members of our family, showing great patience and producing insightful and innovative solutions to complex, specific challenges regarding discretionary trusts and wills. Andrew is always happy to help and is happy to explain prior work if I need a refresher.’
‘Richard Bussell leads from the front, with innovative thinking to find good outcomes.’
‘Personal touch, always happy to go over and above to assist clients and ourselves. Always happy to pick up the telephone and talk through any queries or worries.’
‘Richard Bussell is a first-rate lawyer with a wealth of private tax client knowledge and experience. He is approachable and turns law speak into normal language, so clients understand the proposed actions. He provides an all-round service and is extremely reliable.’
'Excellent knowledge in the field with particular strength in advising on farms and accounts issues.'
'This practice is excellent in the professional yet personal care and advice they give. The ability to have digital signing is a great asset as I live a distance away.'
Work highlights
Advised local HNW family with complex family dynamics on tax planning in the lead up to and following the Budget.
Advised with only 6 weeks to the deadline to vary the estates of two deceased family members to maximise IHT reliefs and allowances and achieve the detailed restructuring of the family assets for the longer-term benefit of the client's family.
Advised local farming and haulage company owners in respect of IHT planning on £14m estate. Devised plan to afford maximum flexibility on the distribution of assets to avoid a claim against the estate whilst ensuring that the family farm will not be split up on the deaths of the clients.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Andrew Durkan; Richard Bussell