Fiona joined the team in 2020 as Director, having gained a wealth of experience and an excellent reputation as an advisor in the private client team of another leading city centre firm. Fiona became Private Client Partner in 2023.
Fiona is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and completed the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates (NI) with distinction, gaining two Worldwide Excellence Awards for qualifying top of her year and also for her performance in the Advanced Certificate in Trust & Estate Accounting (NI). She currently sits on the committee of the NI branch of STEP.
Fiona has a strong portfolio of clients and advises a number of high and ultra-high net worth individuals, including the shareholders of top 100 companies and high profile family businesses. She also has an excellent track record in dealing with high value and complex estate administrations and has a wealth of experience in the administration of a number of locally prestigious trusts.
Fiona has a particular interest in the development of advice around succession/exit planning for successful family run businesses and she has presented numerous seminars on the issue of estate planning for business owners to members of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce and to various other organisations.
Fiona was a co-author on the Northern Ireland chapter of the legal textbook International Succession (4th Edition OUP Oxford, 2015). She is a member of the Elder Law Group of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
Fiona is qualified to practice in Northern Ireland and England & Wales.
Fiona has extensive experience in advising on a wide range of private client matters such as:
- Estate Planning, including Wills, Trusts (both private and charitable) and Enduring Powers of Attorney;
- Other Succession Planning structures such as Family Investment Companies;
- Administration of Estates;
- Administration of Trusts;
- Mental capacity matters, including Controllerships and Statutory Will applications.
“Fiona Kirkpatrick has shown qualities not only of a confident, intelligent, professional and experienced lawyer but also of a kind and compassionate person, which is just as important.” Chambers UK
“Fiona is an excellent private client lawyer. She has the requisite knowledge and experience that enables her to grabble with complex estate planning matters efficiently.” Chambers UK
“Fiona has wide experience in contentious probate matters. Operating from a deep knowledge base, she gave sound guidance and her level of sophistication was very strong.” Chambers UK
“Fiona has always provided excellent service with a high level of dedication and sophistication, dealing with normal transactions. She has the commercial awareness to overcome and resolve any issues.” Chambers UK
- Revoking a Will: the method of destruction
- Autumn Budget 2024 – Impact on businesses and individuals
- Appeal Granted – notable development in the case of Rahman v Hassan (2024 EWHC 1290 Ch)
- Is a text message sufficient evidence to prove intentions to update a Will?
- Northern Ireland High Court Rejects Disgruntled Family Member’s Claim for Financial Provision from Late Father’s Will
- Beware the dangers of ambiguous charitable bequests
- Is change ahead for the UK’s most unpopular tax? Exploring changes to the “non-dom” rules for IHT and other options for reform.
- Is the feeling really mutual? Examining the impact of Winter v Winter on mutual wills
- For better or worse? Considering the rights of cohabiting couples
- Marriage, Wills and Legal Challenges
