Ruth Keighley
Ruth is a Senior Legal Chartered Executive and has been with the firm since December 2001.
Ruth specialises in acting for and on behalf of vulnerable clients ranging from families with members who have learning difficulties or are disabled in some way to elderly clients who have reached a time in their lives when they need a little extra help from their family and friends. Her skills include advising on asset protection, drafting Wills and Trusts together with related documentation and assisting clients with Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection Applications. Ruth also helps families with the administration and distribution of estates after the death of a loved one.
Examples of recent work include:
- Overturning a registered Enduring Power of Attorney to enable a client to be free of the financial and mental abuse her attorney had subjected her to.
- Talking to self-help charity groups of family members and carers giving practical help and advice on the use of Vulnerable Persons Trusts and Relevant Property Trusts to protect family wealth from third parties.
- Completing a Variation of an estate post death to reduce future Inheritance Tax liabilities for a family.
- Setting a legal precendent by obtaining a Court of Protection Welfare Deputy appointment for the father of a young man with severe autism, epilepsy, learning difficulties and who is tactile defensive enabling him to make decisions about vital medical treatment on his son's behalf.
- Obtaining a Court of Protection Welfare Deputy Order enabling the parents of a young woman to protect their daughter who suffers with learning difficulties against a manipulating boyfriend.
Her aim is to ensure that clients receive the best advice available in a friendly and timely manner.
Ruth is Vice Chairman of the Surrey branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She is also a member of the Surrey Committee of Solicitors for the Elderly and the Law Society Private Client Section.