Solicitor at Ashtons Legal LLP

Sophie Hearle

Solicitor - Associate

SRA ID: 601513

Sophie is an Associate in the French Legal Services department and advises on English and French estate planning, cross-border tax issues including inheritance tax, capital gains tax and French wealth tax, English and French Wills, English and French probate/estate administration, French wealth tax declarations, French reporting obligations for trusts and cross-border capacity issues, including Lasting Powers of Attorney. Sophie studied English law and French law at the University of Leeds and Université Jean Moulin, Lyon III. She completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School (Holborn) achieving a Distinction. Sophie is President of Jurismus: a leading network of young European lawyers employed in one of the 650 Eurojuris law firms.

The Long Barn, Fornham Business Court, Fornham St Martin, Suffolk, IP31 1SL

Licensed for 8 years

Practice Areas

Wills, Trusts & Probate, Money & Tax

5.0/5 17 Client Reviews 17
  • Wills, Trusts & Probate 50%
  • Money & Tax 50%
17 Client Reviews

5.0/5

Overall experience

  • Value For Money
  • Communication
  • Initial Impressions
  • Approachability
  • Documentation Accuracy
  • Legal knowledge

Reviews summary

  • Excellent
    17
  • Very Good
    0
  • Average
    0
  • Poor
    0
  • Awful
    0

Review sources

Anonymous
Click to rate
Andrew
Andrew Added 3 months ago Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
September 03, 2024 20240903125510

First Class Service

5

I received first class service from Sophie Hearle of Ashtons Legal dealing with the estate of my late father both here in the UK and in France. Sophie handled everything professionally and pragmatically with an human touch that was much appreciated in the difficult days that follow a bereavement. I would recommend her services and those of the whole Ashtons team very highly.

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

A representative from Ashtons Legal LLP responded to this review on 15 October, 2024

Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.

Was this review helpful? Yes

Dennis
Dennis Added 2 years ago Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
January 04, 2022 20220104115226

Very friendly, helpful and thorough. 100% recommended.

5

We were advised that there would be a wait for all the advice we needed about our French and British wills and tax. It was worth it as it saved us £000's. Sophie's advice written, by phone and Zoom was thorough, clear and with a friendly and professional manner throughout , It was far more helpful and accurate than that of a different solicitor's firm and 2 professional financial advisers, here and in France. As retired lawyers, but not in these fields, we would fully recommend Sophie and her colleagues to anyone else. Selena and Dennis.

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

A representative from Ashtons Legal LLP responded to this review on 06 April, 2022

Thank you very much for the 5* feedback!

Was this review helpful? Yes

michaela
michaela Added 3 years ago Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
October 29, 2021 20211029100721

Totally pro while remaining sensitive and humaine.

5

I must above all say a huge thank you to Sophie Hearle who without her help and hard work, our complicated situation concerning the last will and testament of my late father, the result would have been catastrophic for my mother.
Sophie was more than efficient and professional, she was caring, diplomatic and extremely senative in dealing with a stressful and painful situation.
I can thoroughly recommend Sophie and her legal team to anyone needing help with French/ English law.
Sophie has enabled my mother to have a positive ending to a sad occasion and I will greatly miss speaking to such a lovely person . Thanks again Sophie .

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

A representative from Ashtons Legal LLP responded to this review on 24 November, 2021

Thank you for your 5* feedback! We are proud to provide you with excellent service.

Was this review helpful? Yes

D
D Added 3 years ago Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
July 08, 2021 20210708103631

UK Probate for French resident

5

After the death of my husband, Sophie Hearle and Ashtons Legal helped me with obtaining Grant of Probate from UK. She clearly explained the whole process and kept me informed of progress throughout. She is very knowledgeable in both French and UK law.

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

A representative from Ashtons Legal LLP responded to this review on 08 July, 2021

Thank you for your review. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.

Was this review helpful? Yes

Jake
Jake Added 3 years ago 1 found this helpful Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
March 05, 2021 20210305142808

UK Grant of Probate for French resident

5

Our solicitor Sophie Hearle obtained a Grant of Probate so that our family could claim assets held in the UK by my late father, a French resident of many years. She was knowledgeable and personable, and patiently explained each step to us. There were several hurdles to jump, but Sophie's understanding of both the British and French systems for tax and inheritance saw us through and got us the Grant of Probate.
I would not hesitate to recommend Sophie to anyone who needs legal advice or representation in similar matters, and Ashtons will certainly be my first port of call in dealing with any further cross-border legal matters.

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

Was this review helpful? Yes

Nick
Nick Added 3 years ago Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
March 03, 2021 20210303141729

Transfer of Share of Property in France

5

I contacted Ashtons for help and advice in transferring a share of my property in France to my children to make use of the French and UK inheritance and gift rules. Sophie was very knowledgeable and helpful. We have completed the transaction in a smooth matter in time before today's budget which may have changed the rules.
the reports I received were very clearly written and understandable and the responsiveness to my questions was excellent. Would recommend for handling any French property and will issues.

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

Was this review helpful? Yes

Neal
Neal Added 3 years ago Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
February 12, 2021 20210212115100

Excellent Service

5

A very professional, friendly and supportive legal service.

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

Was this review helpful? Yes

Theresa
Theresa Added 4 years ago Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
December 09, 2020 20201209143303

Will in the jurisdiction of UK and France

5

I am joint Executor with my sister, who lives in France, for the will of a deceased family member who was fiscally based in France. This was not a straightforward affair. With her ability to speak French, familiarity with its legal system and frequent liaison with the local Notaire, Sophie helped us through this very difficult task. On the occasions I visited her in the office she was always helpful, understanding and patient. No question was too much trouble. She responded quickly to emails and phone calls. My sister and I would not have managed without her and have no hesitation in recommending Sophie and Ashtons Legal.

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

Was this review helpful? Yes

Peter
Verified Peter Added 4 years ago Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
October 12, 2020 20201012010000

Wills, Trusts & Probate

5

Peter recommends Ashtons Legal

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

Was this review helpful? Yes

Arthur Bell
Verified Arthur Bell Added 4 years ago Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
September 21, 2020 20200921144053

Excellent Solicitors

5

We have had the good fortune to deal with real professionalism recently in organising English Wills as we are resident in France. In my nearly 50 years of banking before retiring I have dealt with literally dozens of lawyers/solicitors/barristers in that time. Only 2 stand out over that period worthy of note and one of them is Sophie Hearle who assisted us with our English Wills. It was a great pleasure in dealing with Sophie who, not only was knowledgeable in this field, but came over as a patient and honest person. Lots of professionals can be too concerned about their own ego and I have met plenty of them. Not so Sophie. It has been a great pleasure in dealing with Sophie and I would have no hesitation in recommending her and her firm to others, professional as well as individuals seeking legal advice.

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

A representative from Ashtons Legal LLP responded to this review on 26 October, 2020

Thank you for your fantastic review of Sophie. We appreciate the positive feedback you have given us and look forward to working with you in the future.

Was this review helpful? Yes

Reviews collected on

ES
ES Added 4 years ago 1 found this helpful Report to admin
Collected whilst working at Ashtons Legal LLP
January 11, 2020
Collected on
20200111162959

A client

5

A five star service from a five star organisation. Sophie Hearle and her team were absolutely first class in helping me to deal with my parents estate in France and the UK. A kind, calm, thoughtful and excellent communicator Sophie was faultlessly professional and executed her duties with aplomb and rigour. Thank you.

Lawyer named in this review: Sophie Hearle

A representative from Ashtons Legal LLP responded to this review on 13 January, 2020

Many thanks for the glowing feedback and five star review - both of which will be shared with Sophie and her team.

Was this review helpful? Yes

About Sophie Hearle

Sophie is an Associate in the French Legal Services department and advises on English and French estate planning, cross-border tax issues including inheritance tax, capital gains tax and French wealth tax, English and French Wills, English and French probate/estate administration, French wealth tax declarations, French reporting obligations for trusts and cross-border capacity issues, including Lasting Powers of Attorney. Sophie studied English law and French law at the University of Leeds and Université Jean Moulin, Lyon III. She completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School (Holborn) achieving a Distinction. Sophie is President of Jurismus: a leading network of young European lawyers employed in one of the 650 Eurojuris law firms.

Languages Spoken: English, French

Contact Sophie Hearle

Address

Ashtons Legal LLP

The Long Barn

Fornham Business Court

Fornham St Martin

Suffolk

IP31 1SL



Phone 01284 727014

Website

Resume

LICENSE

Country

Status

Acquired

Updated

United Kingdom

Currently Registered

15/09/16

01/04/22

We found no instances of professional misconduct for this solicitor

WORK EXPERIENCE

Title

Name

Duration

Solicitor

Ashtons Legal

2014-present