David Lane

FCILEx, Director

Head of Wills, Probate and Trusts

As Head of Department, David leads a dedicated team of private client specialists, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence that underpins the firm’s reputation for high quality advice and client care.

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Call: 01543 267237

Private Client Leader

Head of Wills, Probate & Trusts, delivering clear advice on wills, probate, trusts and tax-efficient planning.

LPAs

Guides families through LPAs with sensitivity and precision.

Regional Reach, Personal Service

Trusted across Staffordshire, Birmingham, the Black Country, Shropshire and Mid Wales.

Practice areas

David leads the Wills, Probate & Trusts team at Ansons. An experienced private client specialist, he advises individuals and families across Staffordshire, Birmingham, the Black Country, Shropshire and Mid Wales.

His approach is calm, clear and practical, with a focus on protecting assets, reducing risk and giving clients confidence at every stage.

Key Specialisms

David Lane leads Wills, Probate & Trusts at Ansons, advising on wills, probate, trusts, LPAs and Court of Protection across Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

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Wills and estate planning, including inheritance tax strategies

Living wills and advance decisions

Lasting Powers of Attorney (Property and Financial Affairs, Health and Welfare)

Probate and estate administration, including cross-border estates

Creation and management of trusts

Elderly client matters and care fee planning

Court of Protection applications and deputyships

Experience

Complex cross-border estate administration (c. £4m)

Managed the administration of a multi-jurisdictional estate with worldwide assets and missing beneficiaries. Coordinated asset tracing, international tax and probate requirements, and ensured accurate distribution.

Tax efficiency through trusts

Implemented a trust-based solution that reduced exposure to capital gains tax and higher rate SDLT for a family, aligning lifetime planning with longer-term succession goals.

Contentious probate support using DNA evidence

Secured a beneficiary’s rightful share of an estate by obtaining and relying on DNA evidence, resolving the dispute and safeguarding the client’s position.

Complex cross-border estate administration (c. £4m)

Tax efficiency through trusts

Implemented a trust-based solution that reduced exposure to capital gains tax and higher rate SDLT for a family, aligning lifetime planning with longer-term succession goals.

Contentious probate support using DNA evidence

Secured a beneficiary’s rightful share of an estate by obtaining and relying on DNA evidence, resolving the dispute and safeguarding the client’s position.

Matthew Easter on Legally Sound

Curious about routes into law? In this episode, Matthew Easter, Ansons’ head of trainees and apprenticeships, explains traditional paths, the SQE, and solicitor apprenticeships, with practical tips on QWE, paralegal experience, and the client skills that set you apart.

Explore the Legally Sound podcast on YouTube

Testimonials

Jon Rowley excels in his handling of all issues ranging from the complex to the mundane. His client skills are particularly good and he quickly puts clients at their ease and earns their trust with his approach and diligence.

Legal 500 UK 2025

Jon Rowley is clear in the advice he provides as well as pragmatic and confident when solving unexpected issues, which as a client, is very reassuring.

Legal 500 UK 2025

Jon Rowley provides us with an exceptional service: professional, well-informed and very fair

Legal 500 UK 2023

Jon Rowley is a stand-out individual and the company are extremely fortunate to have such an individual in their midst, he is certainly one to watch for the future. He is professional, yet personable and offers council and advice effectively and efficiently, drawing on his team as required. He has taken the time to gain great knowledge of our industry which makes legal processes easier and effective.

Legal 500 UK 2023

Jon Rowley – explains technical speak in a way that is easy to understand, presents options robustly and with clear explanations. Easy to get ahold of and prompt to respond.

Legal 500 UK 2024

Jonathan Rowley stands out in particular. Jonathan is one of the best that I have worked with.

Legal 500 UK 2025