Alastair Liddiard

Alastair has nearly two decades of experience advising individuals and families about their wills, trusts and inheritance tax planning arrangements, both as a solicitor and formerly working for HSBC Trust Co (UK) Ltd.

When it comes to helping people to plan for the future, deal with the death of a loved one, or manage an estate, Alastair knows that people need a lot more than just dry legal advice. He works closely with clients to support them through what is often a very difficult time, making sure they get the outcome they need as easily as possible.

Taking a highly personalised approach, Alastair helps clients to clearly define what it is they need to achieve and explains the different options available to them, making sure they have all the information needed to make the right decisions for themselves and their loved ones.

Alastair is recommended by leading client guide the Legal 500 for his expertise in Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate. His expertise has been independently recognised by his membership of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Law Society’s Private Client Section.

Career

Having studied Law at the University of Southampton, Alastair started his career working for HSBC Trust Co (UK) Ltd before training as a solicitor.

He undertook his solicitor’s training with a leading law firm in Croydon and, upon qualification in 2005, gained a position with a specialist private wealth law firm, specialising in wills, trusts, probate and elderly client advice.

Alastair joined Longmores in 2012, where he takes a leading role in the Private Client team, with a particular interest in trust creation and administration.

Expertise

Alastair specialises in:

• Inheritance Tax Planning
• Administration of Trusts and Estates
• Will Drafting
• Trust Drafting (including associated documentation)
• Powers of Attorney

Alastair has recently been advising clients in connection with the following issues:

• The estate of a deceased which involves winding up the trust of which she was the lifetime beneficiary, advising on the taxation implications of an inheritance from an unadministered estate due to the deceased and the deceased’s own estate
• Revising a couple’s wills to take advantage of the Transferable Ordinary and Residence Nil Rate Bands by incorporating life interest trust in favour of the survivor and to assist them reducing their inheritance tax liability via a gift of property to their children
• Varying a deceased’s will to pass assets to their grandchildren and to pass other assets to a family charity
• Assisting in the administration of a large estate which left assets to a trust created during the lifetime of the deceased and other assets on trust for the surviving spouse

Community

Alastair is a trustee of the Libury Hall residential care home in Great Munden, helping to support the vital work carried out by the Libury Hall charitable trust.

Originally set up in 1900 by Baron Von Schroder to provide support to German people who had become homeless or otherwise distressed, Libury Hall now operates as a charity acting as a supported living and recovery facility for people with acute mental health challenges, particularly those of advancing years.

Recognition

Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer for Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Middlesex.

Member of the Law Society’s Private Client Section.

Full member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) the leading global association for legal professionals in the areas of inheritance and estate planning.

Professional feedback

Alastair is acknowledged for having “extensive expertise in drafting trusts, handling powers of attorney, and winding up trusts”. The Legal 500 2024

“Richard Horwood and Alastair Liddiard are all professional, diligent and it is clear they have their clients’ interests at heart.”  The Legal 500 2023

“Alastair Liddiard is very efficient and knowledgeable about the clients we manage on their behalf.”  The Legal 500 2023

“Richard Horwood and Alastair Liddiard are always accommodating, professional and a pleasure to work with.”  The Legal 500 2023

“Alastair has provided advice to many of my clients, friends, family and me over the last 5-6 years. He is very knowledgeable and always provides excellent advice. Some of the situations are very sensitive matters and Alastair always acts with great empathy and professionalism.”  Independent Financial Adviser

Personal interests

Rugby is Alastair’s number one passion, although these days that passion manifests itself more in watching the game, rather than playing. He is also a cricket fan, enjoys reading and has a keen interest in green tech issues, driving an electric vehicle and having solar panels installed on his family hone.

During lockdown, Alastair has developed a new passion for building remote control cars, both as a technical challenge for himself and as something to enjoy with his children.