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Lucy Wadley is a Senior Associate in Lester Aldridge’s International Private Client Team, specialising in international probate and cross-border estate administration.
Lucy began her career with Lester Aldridge in 2009, joining as a paralegal before completing her training contract with the firm and qualifying as a solicitor in 2015. Having spent her entire legal career at Lester Aldridge, she has developed extensive experience advising on complex international estates and helping clients navigate legal and practical issues across multiple jurisdictions.
She works with trust companies, professional executors, legal advisers and private individuals in the UK and around the world. Known for her approachable and empathetic manner, Lucy combines technical expertise with practical, clear advice to help clients manage often complex estate administration matters with confidence.
Lucy has particular expertise in estates containing North American assets and regularly advises on the administration, transfer and recovery of assets located in the United States and Canada. She also has significant experience obtaining UK grants of representation for overseas estates and coordinating probate matters across a wide range of jurisdictions.
- International probate and estate administration
- North American estate administration
- UK grants of representation for overseas estates
- Cross-border inheritance and succession matters
- Administration of overseas assets within UK estates
- Recovery of unclaimed and escheated assets
- US and Canadian shareholdings and investment portfolios
- International inheritance tax considerations
- Resealing and foreign probate applications
- Medallion Signature Guarantee services
Lucy is widely recognised within the firm’s International Private Client Team for her specialist knowledge of North American estate administration.
She regularly advises executors, trustees and beneficiaries on:
- The administration and disposal of US and Canadian investments.
- Applications for IRS transfer certificates and related tax compliance requirements.
- Cross-border estate administration and asset collection.
- Double taxation treaty relief claims.
- Recovery of unclaimed and escheated assets.
- Probate applications and grants of representation across multiple jurisdictions.
She also assists overseas personal representatives with the administration of UK assets, including bank accounts, investment portfolios, shareholdings, pensions and property interests.
In addition, Lucy is an authorised guarantor for Lester Aldridge’s Medallion Signature Guarantee service, assisting clients requiring guarantees for the transfer of North American securities.
Recovery of assets valued at over $1 million
Lucy successfully assisted the executors of an Irish estate in recovering escheated shareholdings held by the Delaware Unclaimed Property Department. Taking over a complex and long-running claim, she guided the matter through the relevant procedural requirements, ultimately securing the recovery of assets exceeding $1 million.
Administration of US investments worth more than $3.5 million
Lucy acted for the executors of an England and Wales estate holding substantial US investments. She coordinated the IRS transfer certificate application process, managed associated tax requirements and oversaw the successful liquidation and repatriation of the portfolio.
Obtaining an Isle of Man grant for a UK trust
Working closely with the Isle of Man Court, Lucy successfully secured a grant enabling a UK trust to gain access to local assets, overcoming procedural challenges arising from the trust’s status as executor.
Lucy appreciates that estate administration often takes place during a difficult and emotional time for families. She takes pride in providing clear, practical guidance that simplifies complex legal processes and helps clients achieve efficient and cost-effective outcomes.
Clients value her responsiveness, attention to detail and ability to explain technical cross-border issues in a straightforward and accessible way. Her combination of international expertise and personal approach enables her to build trusted relationships with clients across the UK and internationally.
