Probate

Probate / Director and Head of Department

Claire Horowitz (LLB)(TEP)(ATT) is a director of the Wills and Probate Department with over 12 years' experience in private client work, specialising in wills, probate, powers of attorney, Court of Protection, elderly client, tax and trusts.

Following qualification, Claire worked for a high-street firm in the Bristol area for 4 years where she completed her STEP studies and regularly advised high net worth clients and was also an active committee member of the Bristol branch of STEP.  She returned home in 2013 and has since been working with Askews across Teesside and North Yorkshire area where she has helped hundreds of families and individuals with all aspect of their estate planning needs.

Claire qualified as a solicitor in 2008 after gaining a 2:1 in Law from the University of Hull and studying and completing her LPC at the College of Law in York.  She completed her training at a niche private client firm in the North East and subsequently completed further specialist qualifications to become a qualified member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and also a qualified Tax Technician with the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT).

Claire joined Askews Solicitors in 2013 and became director of the department in 2018.

Probate / Associate Solicitor

Chloe joined Askews in February 2020 as an Associate Solicitor in the Wills and Probate Department and has nearly 11 years’ experience in private client work specialising in all areas of wills, probate, powers of attorney, Court of Protection matters, estate planning and trusts.

After graduating from University College London in 2011 achieving a 2:1 degree in Law, Chloe completed her Legal Practice Course in 2013 at the College of Law in York gaining a distinction and qualified as a Solicitor in 2015. Prior to joining Askews, Chloe worked for a private client and financial services firm in Teesside, subsequently completing a Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning with the Chartered Insurance Institute

Probate / Solicitor

Lynda (LLB Hons) re-joined Askews as a Solicitor in the Wills and Probate Department in January 2023 and has nearly 40 years’ experience in private client work specialising in wills, powers of attorney, administration of estates, Court of Protection matters and trusts. She has personal experience acting as a Deputy for her cousin who is mentally handicapped and has advised many families in creating and operating deputyships and personal injury trusts.

After gaining a 2-1 at university in London and her professional qualification at the College of Law at Chester, Lynda completed her legal training with a local Middlesbrough firm before qualifying in 1983.

Lynda has spent the majority of her working life in Middlesbrough and North Yorkshire. Between 2006 and 2011 Lynda worked at Askews Redcar office. After a brief time in Derbyshire Lynda is delighted to return to her roots.

Lynda was a member of Solicitors for the Elderly and her local Women’s Institute and looks forward to re-joining these organisations in 2023.

Probate / Solicitor

Shannon Cranston joined Askews as a Solicitor in the Wills and Probate Department in January 2022, after having received a First Class Honours Degree in Law from Teesside University and a Master’s Degree with a Merit from Sunderland University.

During her studies, Shannon volunteered with the Teesside University Law Clinic and the Sunderland University Law Clinic, providing legal advice to many individuals.

Shannon qualified as a solicitor in 2022 after completing her training contract with another local Teesside firm gaining experience in a number of practice areas and now specialises in Private Client work. Shannon advises clients in all areas of wills, probate, powers of attorney, Court of Protection matters, estate planning and trusts.

Probate / Probate Executive

Paige joined Askews Solicitors in January 2022 and is a Probate Executive in our Private Client department.

Prior to joining Askews, Paige studied Criminology at Teesside University graduating in 2014. She began working for a local solicitors’ firm in 2015 and during this time completed her first year of Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) training gaining her Level 3 Certificate and Professional Diploma in Law.

Having built up significant experience, Paige specialises in Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters advising many clients and their families in complex legal issues.

Probate / Paralegal

Matthew Lane joined Askews in an administrative capacity in October 2015. He quickly demonstrated to all within the firm his strong work-ethic and determination to succeed within the legal profession.

During 2019 he completed his Paralegal Apprenticeship programme within Askews' Probate Department, and has progressed onto the Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship course which he hopes to complete in 2024.