Gemma is a Trusts and Estates Practitioner in our Tax, Trusts, Wills and Probate team.
Gemma has been part of the firm since 2011. She has developed a particular focus on helping clients, trustees and families with the practical administration of trusts and estates. Gemma is a qualified Trust and Estates Practitioner, having completed the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates and qualified as a TEP in 2021.
How Gemma can help you
Trusts can be useful, but they often come with a lot of paperwork, tax requirements and ongoing responsibilities. Gemma helps trustees understand what needs to be done and when, so that they can feel confident they are meeting their duties. Where trustees would rather not deal with the administration themselves, Gemma can take care of much of the day-to-day work for them.
A key part of Gemma’s work is helping trustees keep on top of their compliance obligations. This may include trust registration, reporting to HMRC and dealing with rules such as FATCA, CRS and other information-sharing requirements. Gemma can explain what applies to a particular trust, arrange any necessary registration and submit reports where required.
Gemma has considerable experience with the Trust Registration Service, which has changed and developed since it was introduced in 2020. She can guide trustees through the registration process and help ensure the trust’s details are kept up to date.
Gemma also assists with the day-to-day running of trusts. This can include keeping records, liaising with banks and investment managers, preparing annual trust accounts and dealing with tax reporting. Her aim is to make the administration as straightforward and stress-free as possible for trustees and beneficiaries.
Finally Gemma also supports families and personal representatives during the administration of estates. She helps prepare estate accounts, deals with tax returns and liaises with HMRC about both the deceased person’s tax affairs and the estate during the administration period.
If a trust arises after someone has died, Gemma can also help make sure the trustees understand and meet their registration and reporting obligations.
A little more about Gemma
Before working in law, Gemma studied Forensic Science at the University of Lincoln. That background perhaps explains her methodical approach, attention to detail and enjoyment of getting accounts to balance. Outside work, Gemma enjoys crafting and reading and is part of both the firm’s Crochet Club and Book Club.
What do others say?
Clients value Gemma’s calm, practical support and her ability to deal with complex administration clearly and efficiently.
‘… have to say how much I appreciate all the help you have given me… I could not have sorted it out without you…’‘… your help and expertise in getting this sorted out has been invaluable and I am very grateful to have had you dealing with this for me… I will have no hesitation in calling on you to work your magic…’
