Business Details
16 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Expert Legal Services in Bath
Helen Starkie Solicitor was established in 2010 by Helen Starkie, a seasoned private client solicitor with over 30 years of experience. Our firm prioritises a personal, bespoke approach to legal services, focusing on areas such as Lasting Powers of Attorney, Wills, Probate, and estate planning. We specialise in supporting clients during retirement years, periods of vulnerability, or illness, offering tailored solutions to protect assets and ensure care needs are met. Our team, including experts like Jo Wagstaff and Stephen Horton, combines deep legal knowledge with compassionate service, ensuring clients receive guidance aligned with their unique circumstances.We operate 24/7 to provide urgent support and conduct consultations in clients' homes, offices, or our Bath-based premises. Our commitment to avoiding generic legal advice has earned us recognition from the Law Society and Solicitors for the Elderly, reflecting our dedication to excellence and client-centric service.
Services
Lasting Powers of Attorney
General Powers of Attorney
Wills and Probate
Protective Property Trusts
Guaranteed Prepaid Funerals
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer over 30 years of specialist experience in private client law.
- Our team provides 24/7 availability for urgent legal matters.
- We focus exclusively on estate planning, probate, and vulnerable client care.
- Our bespoke approach avoids generic solutions in favour of tailored advice.
- We operate with full transparency and no hidden fees.
Associations and certifications
- The Law Society
- Solicitors for the Elderly
- Royal Society of Medicine
What people say
Professionalism and friendship
Sensitive and expert help
Efficiency and speediness
Exceptional kindness and understanding
Beautifully presented documentation
Services
Lasting Powers of Attorney
We specialise in creating Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) to ensure your financial and healthcare decisions are managed by trusted individuals if you lose capacity. Our process includes advising on attorney selection, drafting documents, and registration. Clients benefit from our expertise in avoiding common pitfalls and ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
Wills and Probate
Our Wills and Probate service ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes while minimising inheritance tax liabilities. We draft legally sound Wills and guide executors through probate administration. Clients receive support in resolving disputes and managing complex estate settlements with sensitivity.
Protective Property Trusts
We establish Protective Property Trusts to safeguard property from care home fees and ensure inheritance for intended beneficiaries. Our approach involves restructuring property ownership and drafting tailored Wills. Clients gain peace of mind knowing their assets are protected against means-testing.
Guaranteed Prepaid Funerals
Our prepaid funeral plans lock in costs and guarantee your funeral wishes are followed, relieving families of financial and organisational burdens. We coordinate with funeral directors to document preferences and ensure legal compliance. Clients benefit from fixed pricing and assurance that their final arrangements are secure.
General Powers of Attorney
We draft General Powers of Attorney for clients needing temporary management of their affairs during absence or incapacity. These documents enable appointed attorneys to act immediately without registration. Clients receive guidance on limitations and suitability compared to LPAs.
People
Helen Starkie
Solicitor and Founder
Helen Starkie has over 30 years of private client experience, specialising in elder law and estate planning. She leads our team with a commitment to personalised service, focusing on Wills, Probate, and Powers of Attorney. Helen is an elected member of the Law Society's Private Client National Executive Committee.
Jo Wagstaff
Solicitor
Jo Wagstaff joined in 2013, bringing expertise in Wills, Probate, and Court of Protection matters. She previously worked at a top 100 law firm and focuses on making legal advice accessible through workplace consultations. Jo supports clients in Bath and surrounding areas.
Stephen Horton
Estate Planning Specialist
Stephen Horton specialises in inheritance tax planning and trusts for family businesses and property investors. With nearly 20 years of experience, he drafts complex Wills and advises on trust law. Stephen joined the firm in 2025 to expand our tax planning services.
Clare Banks
Conveyancing Paralegal
Clare Banks qualified as a residential conveyancing paralegal in 2010, supporting clients with property transactions. She returned to Bath in 2024 after working with a major UK developer, bringing expertise in residential property law to our team.
Questions
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?
An LPA allows you to appoint someone to make decisions about your finances, property, or healthcare if you lose mental capacity. We guide clients through creating and registering LPAs to ensure their wishes are followed.
How can I reduce inheritance tax on my estate?
We use tailored Wills, trusts, and lifetime gifting strategies to legally minimise inheritance tax. Our experts assess your assets and family circumstances to create tax-efficient plans.
What happens if someone dies without a Will?
If someone dies intestate, their assets are distributed according to strict legal rules. We assist executors and families in navigating probate and resolving disputes over estates.
How do Protective Property Trusts work?
These trusts protect property from care home fees by separating ownership between spouses. We help clients restructure ownership and draft Wills to ensure assets pass to intended beneficiaries.
Can I create a prepaid funeral plan?
Yes, we help clients arrange guaranteed prepaid funerals to lock in costs and document their wishes, ensuring families are not burdened with unexpected expenses or decision-making during grief.
