Trusted advice, built for life: Supporting high-net-worth clients across the North East

Trusted advice, built for life: Supporting high-net-worth clients across the North East

Claire Simmons, Residential Property

In the North East, many individuals and families have spent years building not only wealth, but businesses, property portfolios and legacies they hope will endure for generations. With that comes the need for legal advice that is thoughtful, discreet and a genuinely collaborative approach.

High net worth clients often come to us at pivotal moments in their lives: planning for the future, investing in property, navigating family change, or dealing with complex estate and succession matters. What they value most is not just technical excellence, but the reassurance that they have a trusted team around them who understands the bigger picture.

Our Wills, Trusts & Estates work sits at the heart of this support. From wills and trusts to estate planning, succession advice and estate administration, our aim is to help clients protect their assets and ensure their wishes are carried out clearly and tax-efficiently. Many of our clients have complex family structures, business interests or overseas assets, and they need advice that reflects that complexity. We take the time to understand what matters to them, not just today, but over the long term.

Property is another key area where we regularly advise high net worth individuals across the region. Whether clients are acquiring residential or investment property, managing established portfolios or exploring development opportunities, our property specialists dealing with commercial property, rural property and residential property work closely with colleagues across the firm to ensure transactions are smooth, strategic and aligned with wider financial and family considerations.

Family law is often the most sensitive area of all. Relationship breakdown can be particularly challenging where significant assets, businesses or inherited wealth are involved. Our family team is experienced in advising on divorce, financial settlements and arrangements for children, always with discretion, pragmatism and sensitivity. Just as importantly, we work proactively with clients on pre- and post-nuptial agreements to help protect wealth and provide clarity for the future.

What truly differentiates Hay & Kilner is the way our teams work together. As a full-service law firm, we draw on expertise across private client, property, family, corporate and tax disciplines to create a seamless service that reflects the realities of our clients’ lives. Matters are handled collaboratively, ensuring advice is consistent, joined-up and grounded in a deep understanding of each client’s circumstances. Clients are supported by one trusted firm, rather than being passed between advisers or external providers.

This approach reflects our belief in building long-standing relationships rather than providing transactional advice. The majority of our work comes from our strong introducer networks, returning clients, personal recommendations and cross-referrals within the firm. Many clients have worked with us for decades, returning at key stages of their lives and introducing the next generation to Hay & Kilner.

At the heart of the firm’s continued success is a highly experienced private client team with exceptionally strong levels of retention, ensuring continuity, trust and deep understanding over time. Clients benefit from working with lawyers who take the time to truly get to know them and their families, building relationships that often span generations. Each member of the private client team brings their own expertise, insight and energy, united by a shared commitment to delivering thoughtful, tailored advice. This dedication ensures clients are supported by a consistent team who understand their personal circumstances, priorities and long-term goals.

The Hay & Kilner way is about more than legal advice. We are a modern, progressive full-service law firm that combines technical expertise with a refreshing and personable approach. We speak your language, explaining complex issues clearly and supporting you through the legal process when it matters most.

With over 80 years of experience, we are proud to have built a strong reputation across the North East for high-quality legal services and outstanding client care. For our high-net-worth clients, that means confidence, clarity and continuity at every step.

Get in touch to find out how we can support you.