Business Details
Expert Legal & Financial Services in Chester
Cullimore Dutton is a distinguished legal and financial services firm established in 1792, renowned for its integrated approach to client care. Our practice combines legal expertise with financial advisory services, offering tailored solutions for individuals and businesses across Chester and beyond. With over 230 years of experience, we specialise in family law, property transactions, wills and probate, and high-net-worth financial matters. Our team of accredited professionals holds memberships with prestigious bodies including STEP and the Solicitors Regulation Authority, ensuring the highest standards of service. We pride ourselves on our Lexcel and ISO 9001 accreditations, which reflect our commitment to quality and client satisfaction.Through collaborative working between legal and financial departments, we deliver comprehensive strategies that address complex client needs. Our client testimonials consistently highlight our compassionate approach to sensitive matters and our ability to simplify intricate legal processes. As one of the few firms offering dual legal-financial services, we provide seamless support for estate planning, divorce settlements, and commercial property transactions. Our dedication to community impact extends beyond individual client work, shaping local legal practices and professional standards. With offices in Chester's historic centre, we continue to build on our legacy as a trusted advisor for generations of clients.
Services
Family Law
Property Conveyancing
Wills & Probate
Financial Advice
High-Net-Worth Services
Highlights and features
- Established in 1792 with continuous family law expertise
- One of few firms offering integrated legal-financial services
- Lexcel and ISO 9001 accredited quality standards
- STEP-qualified specialists in wills and probate
- Award-winning client care with 5-star Google reviews
Associations and certifications
- Lexcel
- ISO 9001
What people say
Exceptional professionalism
Compassionate approach
Clear communication
Timely completions
Expert guidance
Services
Family Law
Our family law specialists handle divorce proceedings, financial settlements, and child arrangements with sensitivity and expertise. We support clients through complex high-net-worth divorces, cohabitation agreements, and prenuptial arrangements. The team combines legal knowledge with financial expertise to deliver holistic solutions. Brenda Spain, our Head of Family, is recognised as a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw. We prioritise amicable resolutions through mediation while maintaining robust litigation capabilities. Clients commend our compassionate approach during emotionally challenging times.
Property Conveyancing
Accredited under the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme, we handle residential and commercial property transactions across Cheshire. Our services include freehold/leasehold purchases, new builds, and remortgages. The team manages complex transactions involving landed estates and commercial properties. We provide clear cost estimates through our online quote builder and maintain lender panel memberships. Clients praise our efficient completions and proactive communication throughout the conveyancing process.
Wills & Probate
Our STEP-qualified solicitors specialise in tax-efficient wills, lasting powers of attorney, and probate administration. We handle complex estate planning for high-net-worth individuals and trust creation. The team provides compassionate support during bereavement, managing estate administration and contentious probate matters. With over 70 years' combined experience, we ensure legal validity and clarity in all documentation. Clients value our approachable manner and comprehensive guidance in sensitive matters.
Financial Advice
Our independent financial advisers provide holistic wealth management solutions integrated with legal services. We specialise in pension reviews, investment strategies, and tax-efficient estate planning. The team works closely with legal colleagues to create coordinated succession plans for families and business owners. Services include risk assessment, retirement planning, and inheritance tax mitigation strategies. Our FCA regulation ensures adherence to the highest financial advisory standards.
High-Net-Worth Services
We offer bespoke services for high-net-worth clients including complex asset division, international estate planning, and business succession strategies. Our multidisciplinary team coordinates legal, financial, and tax considerations across jurisdictions. Services include offshore asset disclosure, trust creation, and wealth preservation structures. With experience handling estates valued up to 10m+, we provide discreet, tailored solutions that protect client interests across generations.
People
Adele Bebbington-Plant
Head of Private Client & Business Development Director
With extensive experience in private client matters, Adele leads our wills, trusts and probate team. She combines legal expertise with strategic business development, ensuring clients receive both technical excellence and commercial insight. Her approach balances professionalism with personal care in sensitive matters.
Brenda Spain
Client Relationship Director and Head of Family
Recognised as a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw, Brenda specialises in complex family law cases. She manages high-net-worth divorces and child arrangement disputes with empathy and determination. Her leadership ensures our family law team maintains its reputation for exceptional client care and legal excellence.
Sarah Davies
Managing Director & Head of Property
As head of our property department, Sarah oversees residential and commercial conveyancing services. Her team maintains Law Society CQS accreditation while delivering efficient transactions for properties ranging from city centre apartments to rural estates. She ensures our property practice remains at the forefront of industry standards.
Louise Holmes
Solicitor, Head of Wills, Trusts and Estates
Leading our wills and probate team, Louise provides expert guidance on estate planning and succession matters. With STEP qualification, she specialises in tax-efficient wills and complex probate administrations. Her compassionate approach helps clients navigate sensitive legal requirements during difficult times.
Andy Wright
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO, Andy oversees our strategic direction while maintaining hands-on client involvement. With responsibility for operational excellence, he ensures our 230-year heritage continues through innovation in legal service delivery and client relationship management.
Questions
What areas of law do you specialise in?
We specialise in family law, property conveyancing, wills and probate, and financial services, with particular expertise in high-net-worth matters.
Are you regulated by professional bodies?
Yes, our legal services are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (No. 623715) and financial services by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 726090).
How do you handle complex divorce cases?
Our family law team combines legal expertise with financial specialists to deliver tailored solutions for complex financial settlements and child arrangements.
What property services do you offer?
We handle residential and commercial conveyancing, leasehold/freehold transactions, and property development work with Law Society CQS accreditation.
How are wills and probate matters managed?
Our STEP-qualified team provides tax-efficient wills, lasting powers of attorney, and probate administration with compassionate, straightforward guidance.
What makes you different from other firms?
As one of few integrated legal-financial practices, we offer coordinated estate planning, with 230+ years' Chester heritage and ISO 9001 quality accreditation.
