Wills and powers of attorney

Catherine Elliott

Wills, Trusts and Probate | Head of Department | Partner

Experience

Catherine is a Partner and Head of the Wills, Trust and Probate Department. Catherine is an experienced Private Client Lawyer and joined Keelys in November 2017 from Shoosmiths in Birmingham. Catherine is a qualified adviser for elderly and vulnerable clients and a member of STEP.

Practice Area

Her specialties include Wills, Tax Planning, the Administration of the Estates of High Net Worth individuals, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and the creation and administration of trusts. She has also advised on issues relating to domicile and contentious probates. Catherine has also presented at a number of seminars for both advisors and clients.

Qualifications

Solicitor

Interests

When not at work Catherine enjoys yoga, pilates, the cinema and looking after her grandchildren.

Helen Phillips

Wills, Trusts and Probate | Legal Executive

Experience

Helen qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 1993. Helen joined Keelys in January 2020 having previously worked for a large firm of Solicitors in Walsall for twenty one years and then for ten years at a firm in Cannock. Since 2001 Helen has specialised in all aspects of Private Client law.

Practice Area

Helen deals with the preparation of Wills including basic Wills, Wills for couples to protect assets from long term care fees or remarriage and discretionary trusts Wills. She is also experienced in the administration of estates including complex estates liable to Inheritance Tax and intestate estates, advising on and preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney, the registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney, Deputyship applications to the Court of Protection and Trustee applications for incapacitated co-owners of property.

Qualifications

FCILEx

Reporting to

Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate department: Catherine Elliott

Interests

Away from work Helen enjoys cooking, travelling, walking and spending time with her family.

Helen Jolly

Wills, Trusts and Probate | Associate Partner

Experience

Helen is an experienced Private Client Solicitor who joined Keelys in May 2022. She is an accredited member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, and has over 18 years’ experience advising in all areas of Private Client law. 

Practice Area

Her specialties include Wills, both basic and the more complex care home planning and/or Discretionary Trust Wills. She also specialises in Tax Planning, the Administration of the Estates (including for High Net Worth individuals), Intestacies, Lasting Powers of Attorney, the creation and administration of Trusts, and Court of Protection work. She prides herself on being able to explain complex issues to clients in a way that makes it easy for them to understand.

Qualifications

Solicitor

Reporting to

Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate department: Catherine Elliott

Interests

When not at work Helen enjoys singing, and attending musical events and theatre. She also enjoys swimming, walking, bike riding, and spending time with her family.

Lisa Edge

Wills, Trusts and Probate | Advanced Paralegal

Experience

Lisa’s legal career began in regulatory law and she has worked in house for several regulatory bodies including the General Medical Council.  In 2020, Lisa became qualified to write Wills in 2020 and joined Keelys in 2023 as an Advanced Paralegal.  She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Practice Area

Lisa specialises in Wills, both basic and those requiring trusts to help plan for potential care costs, remarriage and the modern day family.  She also specialises in Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Qualifications

MCILEX

Reporting to

Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate department: Catherine Elliott

Interests

Outside of work Lisa loves to run.  She has completed the London Marathon three times for Brain Research UK raising over £6,000

Alison Woodbridge

Wills, Trusts and Probate | Solicitor

Experience

Alison is a qualified solicitor with 3 years post qualifying experience having cross qualified from a Chartered Legal Executive with 5 years post qualifying experience. She studied alongside working full time to gain her qualifications showing her hard work and determination to her career progression.

Practice Area

Having spent over 10 years dealing with civil litigation matters Alison now  specialises in Wills, both basic and those requiring trusts to help plan for potential care costs, remarriage and the modern day family.  She also specialises in Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Alison understands the importance of attention to detail and has a calm, solution focused approach.  Alison works closely with clients to understand their objectives and help them navigate complexities of making a Will.

Qualifications

Solicitor

Reporting to

Head of Wills, Trusts and Probate department: Catherine Elliott

Interests

Alison cherishes time spent with family and friends.  She loves entertaining her young son and creating special moments to remember.  Alison enjoys attending theatre shows and walking.  She is also actively engaged in her local community helping organise and support events that bring people together.

Phone: 01543 420000

Email: awoodbridge@keelys.co.uk