STEP

All of our Wills and Probate Solicitors are involved with STEP. What does this mean?

STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) is the world-wide professional association for those advising families across generations. STEP members are recognised experts in their field with proven qualifications and experience. All members are subject to an extensive Code of Professional Conduct and in many cases have had to sit exams to hold full membership. Adam Bruce and Ceri Davies of our office both hold full membership and Luned Voyle is in the process of working through the exams. STEP provides top class training to its members and ensures that they maintain and develop their knowledge and skills relevant to their role as a condition of their continued membership.

Full members of STEP can use the letters ‘TEP’ after their name, which stands for Trust and Estate Practitioner. Working with a STEP member means that you are dealing with a trusted adviser with expertise, in terms of training and experience, backed up by a top professional body.

Why use a TEP?

As specialists in inheritance and succession planning, STEP members draft wills and trusts, administer estates, act as trustees and advise families on how best to structure their finances to ensure compliance and preserve their assets for future generations. In their professional practice, TEPs often help people at difficult or emotional times, such as after the death of a close family member. Choosing a professional to help you to deal with such important and often sensitive issues can be difficult. Many aspects of planning are non-regulated, meaning anyone can write a will, for example, regardless of training or expertise. With a TEP, you are in safe hands.

Currently STEP has more than 20,000 members across 95 countries from a range of professions, including lawyers, accountants and other specialists which enables them to share knowledge and expertise. STEP members are organised between branches and Adam Bruce of our office is Chair of the STEP Wales branch.

STEP also takes a leading role in explaining its members’ views and expertise to Governments, tax authorities, regulators and the public and has been very influential in the development of legislation in this country.

For more information about STEP please visit www.step.org or contact our Wills and Probate Department on (01267) 237441.