What are fiduciary services?
A fiduciary duty means to act for someone in a situation that requires trust and confidence. You might need a fiduciary to be your attorney, executor, trustee or deputy. Sometimes, there may be nobody you know personally who is suitable. Then you can ask a solicitor to act for you.
Choosing the right person to manage your estate, finances or trust is an important decision. Some people have relatives they trust fully. Others feel it may place too much pressure on loved ones, or worry about future disagreements, complexity or the risk of mistakes. That’s where a professional executor, attorney, deputy or trustee can help.
At Winston Solicitors, our Leeds-based Private Client team has over 3,000 five-star reviews and decades of experience acting in these roles. We provide calm, impartial support for fiduciary services. Our experts are always acting in your best interests and following the legal duties that protect you and your estate.
Very handy as a local north Leeds firm, no need to travel to Leeds. Understood exactly what we required and prepared the documents carefully and quickly. Kept us informed as to progress throughout. I would recommend them for any private client work.
Client, Roundhay
What Is a Professional Executor? (Plain English)
A professional executor is an independent expert who takes legal responsibility for dealing with your estate after you die. This includes:
- Sorting out your paperwork
- Valuing your estate
- Applying for probate
- Paying debts and taxes
- Distributing money and property correctly
- Keeping clear records throughout
Most people choose a solicitor when they want experience, impartiality and professionalism. Especially for estates that may be complex or where there’s a risk of family pressure.
Why Appoint a Professional Executor?
Many people in Leeds and West Yorkshire choose a solicitor as their professional executor because:
You don’t want to burden family
Loved ones may already be grieving. Administering an estate can feel overwhelming.
You want to avoid disputes
A professional keeps things fair, neutral and legally correct.
Your estate is complex
This includes property portfolios, business assets, blended families, overseas assets or trusts.
You want certainty
A solicitor must follow strict legal duties and is fully regulated.
You want continuity
Your solicitor remains available even if relatives move away or fall ill.
A professional executor offers peace of mind. Your estate is handled smoothly, accurately and without family tension.
Monika Volsing, Head of Private Client at Winston Solicitors
How Winston Solicitors Acts as Your Executor
If you name Winston Solicitors as your executor, we will:
- Secure your assets
Property, bank accounts, investments and personal items. - Prepare legal paperwork
Including valuing the estate and handling tax forms. - Apply for probate
Ensuring all documents are correct and avoiding delays. - Pay debts and final bills
Using estate funds, not money from family members. - Distribute the estate
Fairly and exactly as your will sets out. - Keep full records
So everything is transparent and properly accounted for.
You get an impartial, experienced professional managing everything from start to finish.
Professional Attorneys (Lasting Powers of Attorney)
If you lose mental capacity, someone needs to manage your finances. Not everyone has a trusted family member who can take on this responsibility, and sometimes it isn’t fair to ask them.
A professional attorney can step in to:
- Manage your bank accounts
- Pay bills and care costs
- Deal with property
- Protect you from financial risk
- Make decisions in your best interests
You can appoint our team as your Property & Financial Affairs Attorney in your LPA. We only act when needed and always follow strict legal and ethical rules.
Professional Deputies (Court of Protection)
If someone you care for has already lost capacity and no LPA is in place, the Court of Protection may need to appoint a deputy.
Winston Solicitors can apply to the Court of Protection to become your loved one’s professional deputy, ensuring:
- Finances are managed safely
- Care arrangements are supported
- Bills are paid on time
- Benefits and funding are handled correctly
- Annual reporting to the Office of the Public Guardian is completed
We have years of experience working with the Court of Protection (COP) and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).
Professional Trustees
Trusts safeguard a trust fund (assets of your choice) for the people or organisations you choose. This might be for:
- Young children
- Vulnerable adults
- Family members with additional needs
- Charities
- Personal injury settlements to protect benefits
- Future planning or tax management
A professional trustee helps ensure the trust is managed fairly, sensibly and legally.
Professional trustees:
- Work independently or alongside family trustees
- Manage investments and obtain specialist advice
- Ensure funds are used correctly
- Keep accurate accounts
- Deal with tax reporting
Professional trustees can be solicitors, accountants, financial advisers or similar. We can refer you to a professional who can act for you as a trustee.
When a Professional Is Especially Helpful
Examples where clients want to appoint a professional executor, trustee, attorney or deputy:
- No close family or trusted friends
- Complex family dynamics
- Children from previous relationships
- High-value assets
- Property portfolios or businesses
- Risk of conflict between beneficiaries
- Beneficiaries who need protection
- Long-term trusts or vulnerable individuals
- The people involved already feel unable to act
We work with families across Leeds and West Yorkshire who want reassurance, fairness and professionalism in these circumstances.
Fees Explained (Simple & Clear)
We believe in transparency. Professional executor, attorney, deputy and trustee roles involve ongoing work, so fees are charged only when we are actively acting.
- Deputyship fees are set by Court of Protection rules and can be fixed or based on hourly rates, depending on the value of the estate
- Other services follow our agreed hourly rate
- All work is recorded clearly so you know what’s being done. Bills can be monthly or quarterly depending on work done.
- If you lose capacity and we are your attorney or deputy, we are still answerable to the COP and OPG regarding our fees.
We explain costs fully before you appoint us, with no pressure.
Why Choose Winston Solicitors?
- Over 3,000 five-star reviews
- Trusted Leeds and West Yorkshire specialists
- Decades of experience in fiduciary services roles
- Independent, impartial and fully regulated
- Clear communication at every step
- Calm, reassuring support for families
Need a Professional Executor, Attorney, Deputy or Trustee?
You don’t have to choose between family members or worry about placing pressure on a loved one.
If you want impartial, expert support that protects your estate and your wishes, we’re here to help.
Contact Winston Solicitors in Leeds today! Friendly experts ready to support you.
A professional executor is an independent expert, usually a solicitor, who handles your estate when you die. They manage probate, debts, taxes and distributions in a fair and legally compliant way.
Solicitors offer impartiality and experience, which reduces stress and the risk of family conflict. Many people in Leeds choose Winston Solicitors when they want fairness and clear communication.
A fiduciary lawyer acts in roles that require trust, such as executor, trustee, attorney or deputy. Their legal duty is to act in your best interests whenever possible.
Yes. Many people appoint a solicitor as a professional trustee to manage funds safely, handle tax requirements and support long-term planning.
Executors deal with your estate after your death until it is distributed entirely. Trustees look after money or assets held in a trust, often for many years. They can be created in the lifetime of the person who makes the trust or by their Will when they die.
You get impartiality, legal knowledge, continuity and protection from mistakes. This is especially helpful for complex estates or blended families.
Costs depend on the size and complexity of the estate. Fees are explained clearly before any work starts, and professional executors keep full records of what they do.
Yes. Many people choose joint executors, so family stays involved while a solicitor handles the legal work.
Yes. If you don’t have someone you trust to manage your finances, a solicitor can act as your professional attorney.
A deputy manages the finances of someone who lacks capacity and has no LPA. They deal with bills, benefits, care costs and annual reporting to the OPG.
A professional executor or trustee can help avoid disputes by acting independently. If conflict arises, legal advice may be needed to resolve the situation.
Yes, in many cases. If there are serious issues, the court can remove or replace an executor or trustee. Professional help is often needed.
Yes, but only for work actually done. Costs must be reasonable, transparent and in line with agreed terms.
Sometimes. If there’s family tension, complex assets or no suitable executor, a professional appointment can still help.
Yes. Winston Solicitors provide help with professional executor, attorney, deputy and trustee services across Leeds, Harrogate, Wakefield and West Yorkshire.
A professional executor acts until the estate is finalised. This can be a few months to a few years, depending on the complexity of the estate.
A professional attorney acts for the person who made the power of attorney for as long as the person lives but only when necessary. If you don’t lose capacity or if you don’t need their assistance, your attorneys may never act for you.
A professional deputy acts for the person who has lost their capacity for as long as the court tells them to or until the person dies.
A professional trustee acts for as long as the trust lasts (which can be for tens of years) or until they retire, lose capacity or die.
