Partner, Head of Private Client

Kathryn Harwood

Role: Partner, Head of Private Client
Dept: Wills and Estate Planning
Location: Preston
Direct Dial: 01772 904359
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Summary

Kathryn is a partner in our Wills & Estate Planning department and head of private client. She looks after a wide range of clients, advising on drafting wills and estate planning, including advising clients on reducing the liability of their estates to Inheritance Tax, planning for long term care and ensuring the smooth succession of family businesses.  In 2015 Kathryn was appointed by the Office of the Public Guardian to their Panel of Deputies.  She is one of only a select few court-approved professionals in England and Wales.  Kathryn is recognised by legal industry 'bible' The Legal 500 as having a 'vast amount of experience and technical ability, combined with a good understanding of what her clients need.' 

Specialisms

Kathryn regularly acts as a professional trustee of will trusts, lifetime family trusts and personal injury award trusts. On account of her experience and reputation, she has also been appointed by the Court to act in contentious matters where the original trustees have been unable to agree. In addition, Kathryn acts as a professional attorney and Court appointed deputy for a number of incapacitated clients.

Background

Kathryn joined Napthens as an assistant solicitor in 2003 and became a partner in 2007.  Born and brought up in Lancashire, she attended Balshaws High School and Runshaw College in Leyland before moving on to Durham University to read Law. After studying for the Solicitors Final Examination at Guildford College of Law, Kathryn completed her legal training at Foysters solicitors in Manchester and qualified as a solicitor in 1987. Kathryn lives in Parbold with her husband and three sons.

Memberships and Awards

Kathryn is appointed to the Panel of Deputies for England and Wales by the Office of the Public Guardian.  She is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly and The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Kathryn won a STEP Excellence Award in 2006 and in 2009 won the Professional of the Year award in the ‘Downtown Preston Lancashire Business Awards’.

More about Kathryn Harwood

Which actor would you choose to play you on TV or film?
I asked my husband and he says Emma Thompson, so I’ll go with that

Who would be your ultimate 3 dinner guests?
Jane Austen ( good for a gossip, I think), the actress Imogen Stubbs (always seems good fun and bound to have lots of interesting stories to tell of her work in the theatre) and the actor Richard Armitage (...just because!!)

What 3 items would you take with you on a desert island?
A lifetime’s supply of toothbrushes, a lifetime’s supply of toothpaste (because I’m a bit OCD that way!) and a piano.

What is your proudest achievement?
Most recently, in June 2012, when I stepped completely out of my comfort zone and completed the 192 mile Wainwright coast-to-coast walk from St Bees to Robin Hoods Bay.