Rachael is a Partner in our Private Client team in Birmingham and advises clients on the preparation of Wills, succession planning, inheritance tax, Capital Gains Tax, administration of estates, trusts, powers of attorney and deputyship applications.
Having worked in the Ashbourne area of Derbyshire, Rachael specialises in advising farming clients in respect of their succession planning. This includes advising on their moral obligations and what their options are for the farm business. Rachael also has a wealth of experience in administering high-value estates and advising on issues including inheritance tax, Capital Gains Tax, Income Tax, domicile of spouse, shareholdings and directorships.
Rachael enjoys speaking to people and learning about their families and their lives. She fully understands that the word 'family' means a different thing to each person and her job is to advise on the best way to overcome some of the difficulties involved with those families. Be it that there are children from a previous relationship, family that people are not aware of, unmarried partners, or large fallouts within the family, each family has its own issues.
Rachael prides herself on making sure her clients feel comfortable to discuss these very personal issues with her so that she can provide them with the best advice for their individual circumstances.
Year of qualification - 2007.
Rachael is a professional yet empathetic person who has the ability to make her clients feel at ease. She has been praised for the help she has brought to families during some of the hardest times of their lives and helping them to pick up the pieces and move forward.
"Rachael Armstrong has a wonderful manner with clients, and can never do enough for them. She is also technically brilliant." - Legal 500 2024.
"Rachael Armstrong delivers work of outstanding quality on a consistent basis. Very much cares about her clients and ensures their total understanding of all relevant matters." - Legal 500 2024
"Rachael clearly demonstrated that she knew her stuff and the quality of advice and service was impressive"
"Thank you very much for taking so much time to see us and go through the probate forms so thoroughly. We really appreciate all your work on our behalf. You've given us plenty of food for thought about our own wills and affairs. Once again thank you for your patience in dealing with our queries and going the extra mile for us."
"Her technical expertise is exceptional across all matters I have worked on with her." - Chambers' HNW Guide
"I have always found dealing with Rachael to be an absolute pleasure," says a client, "her technical expertise is exceptional across all matters I've worked on with her." - Chambers HNW 2019
"In my dealings with Rachael, I have always found her to be very professional and knowledgeable. At all times, when discussing matters with clients, she adopts a manner which makes them feel very comfortable and always ensures they fully understand any advice she is giving and the consequences of the advice... Rachael is very personable and clients warm to her quickly and feel relaxed in her company." - Chambers HNW Guide 2020
Rachael is a member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and Solicitors for the Elderly. This allows her to keep up to date with changing laws and to provide the best to advice to her clients.
Rachael is available to undertake presentations and seminars to groups such as nursing homes, Women's Institutes, Rotary Clubs, businesses and university students.
Rachael is an Irish farmer's daughter who loves going back to Ireland to visit her large family and spending time in the countryside.
Rachael has written the following articles for local publications: