Wills, Probate & Trusts

Cowes boy and English graduate Adam came to the law after an initial career with British Aerospace. There his dealings with export contracts made him wonder about a career as a lawyer, and he returned to college to study.

Although he planned to do commercial law he found in his first practice in Portsmouth that he was particularly suited to private client work, and at Eldridges, with whom he has been since 2006, he deals with Wills, Probate and Trusts. His sensitivity to the needs of people at a time of bereavement enables him to guide them through the legal technicalities in a sympathetic and professional way.

Adam is a qualified Trust and Estate Practitioner, and in setting up and administering Trusts and Wills, Adam sometimes has to tread what can be a sensitive tightrope. A beyond-the-grave wish may have practical implications for offspring with previous partners, and Adam’s knowledge and experience makes for straightforward and helpful solutions.

Tax burdens are a worry to those making provision for their loved ones, and by constantly updating his knowledge as laws change Adam can help clients through complex or confusing situations.

Adam is a family man with three children. He plays guitar, once in a band but now simply for pleasure and at his local church.

Sarah, one of our senior Directors in the firm, heads up the team in Freshwater, encouraging a friendly, open approach to clients and welcoming personal visitors and telephone enquirers equally.

Sarah took a different route from her colleagues to become a solicitor. Rather than studying law at University she went through the Legal Executive route, which meant she was working and training at the same time, and she jokes that she had to work twice as hard as her colleagues for her qualification. Certainly, her commitment to hard work has never left her.

She has been with Eldridges since 2003. She specialises in private client work, which means giving clients advice on Wills, Probate and Lasting Power of Attorney, and considered it important to gain the extra qualification of a Trust and Estate Practitioner, something not compulsory but which is becoming an industry standard.

Because many of her local clients are elderly, she is more than happy to visit them in their homes for no extra charge, and her friendly, practical manner puts them at ease.

When she isn’t working, Sarah will be enjoying the Isle of Wight countryside with her dog or she will be tending to her fabulous garden.

Ian went to Exeter University to obtain a degree in Politics and subsequently to the College of Law in Guildford to obtain a degree in Law. Having qualified as a solicitor in 2010 he gained knowledge and experience at another local firm prior to joining Eldridges in January 2021.

Ian specialises in residential property and private client work, enjoying the variety each aspect provides. He regularly takes instructions from clients both local and further afield and many return to seek his advice in future matters knowing they will get an objective, professional service and a high level of client care and compassion in more sensitive matters.

In his spare time he enjoys the countryside and attending sporting events including rugby, cricket and horse racing.

Megan is a qualified solicitor working in our Wills and Probate department, having qualified in March 2022.

Megan obtained her Law degree from the University of Sussex before attending University of Law in Guildford where she completed her Legal Practice Course with a Masters in Professional Legal Practice. She had two years previous experience working in Wills and Probate before she began training to be a solicitor with us. During her time training to be a solicitor, she had experience in all of our departments but made the decision to qualify into Wills and Probate as she enjoys advising clients on all aspects in that department most.

Megan devotes a lot of her free time to running and enjoys exploring new and challenging routes across the Island. When she isn’t running, she enjoys baking marvellous cakes for family and friends.

Frances started her training contract on 01 June 2023, and has now formally begun her training to qualify as a solicitor. During this time, she will be spending time working mainly in our Private Client and Contentious Probate Departments.

Frances obtained her Law degree from the University of Brighton. She is currently attending the University of Law online, where she is undergoing her Legal Practice Course with a Masters Degree in Professional Legal Practice. Frances has had a year’s previous experience working in the Private Client Department here at Eldridges.

Frances is a keen sailor and paddle boarder – so much so that she always has her paddle board with her wherever she goes. Frances enjoys hiking and exploring new places, and in her free time, Frances enjoys socialising with her family and friends.