Sarah Lister

Sarah Lister is a Partner in the probate team at Thomson Snell & Passmore and deals with complex cross-border estates or estates with international succession elements. She advises executors, beneficiaries and families on estates with assets overseas, multiple jurisdictions or an international element to the inheritance tax position. Sarah works closely with lawyers, trustees and professional advisors around the world to deliver co-ordinated and practical solutions.

Sarah has extensive experience advising on estates involving non-UK domiciled or non-UK long term resident individuals, foreign wills, overseas property and international beneficiaries. Her expertise includes HMRC enquiries into domicile or long term residence status, inheritance tax reporting for estates with international links, double taxation relief claims and the administration of estates which span across a number of systems.

Alongside her international focus, Sarah advises on all aspects of probate and estate administration, including obtaining grants of representation, administering complex estates, deeds of variation and inheritance tax planning.

Sarah is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) having achieved both the STEP diploma in trusts and estates and STEP certificate in cross border estates with distinction. Sarah is also involved with STEP academics, marking papers in estate administration and trusts and international trust management, helping to uphold and develop professional standards for trust and estate practitioners.

See Sarah’s reviews on ReviewSolicitors here.

Cross border estate administration and international succession
Estates involving overseas assets and international beneficiaries
UK probate for non-domiciled individuals
International inheritance tax and the application of double tax conventions/double tax treaties
Foreign wills and succession issues
Deeds of variation and post death tax planning
High value and technically complex probate matters
Advising executors, trustees and beneficiaries

Advising the executors on a complex UK/South African inheritance tax matter

Advising the executors on a complex UK/South African inheritance tax matter claiming substantial relief under the double tax convention saving over £1m of IHT on both the estate and failed potentially exempt transfers

Advising executors and beneficiaries on the UK/US double tax convention

Advising executors and beneficiaries on the UK/US double tax convention and obtaining a grant of representation based on a US worldwide Will

Dealing with the UK elements of a estate with multiple jurisdictions

Dealing with the UK elements of a estate with multiple jurisdictions including a significantly valued landed estate in Germany. Successfully running a non-domicile argument and saving over £3m of IHT. Working with worldwide lawyers to devise a global strategy.

Obtaining urgent limited grants for clients with complex estates

Obtaining urgent limited grants for clients with complex estates with international elements. Devising complicated strategies for clients with complex international estates.

Claiming unilateral relief for a complex UK/Spain estate.

Sarah has worked extensively with Polish lawyers dealing with UK/Poland estate matters

Dealing with complex UK estate with 17 tenanted properties

Dealing with complex UK estate with 17 tenanted properties including obtaining an urgent limited grant allowing the executors to take proactive estate administration steps whilst contentious issues are dealt with within the estate.

Achievements & other appointments

Sarah was shortlisted for Junior Lawyer of the Year 2023 at Kent Junior Lawyer Law Society.

Probate Provider of the Year S - Thomson Snell & Passmore

Education

Sarah qualified as a chartered legal executive in September 2018 having worked previously as a legal assistant in the team since October 2015.

Sarah has completed the STEP Diploma for Trusts and Estates with distinction.

Sarah has also completed STEP’s certificate in Cross Border Estates again with distinction.

Exceptional Support and Expertise in Complex Probate Matters
Sarah Lister is nothing short of exceptional. My case was highly complex, having been mishandled by previous solicitors who left it stagnant for over a year. I felt utterly hopeless until Sarah stepped in. From the very beginning, she exuded confidence, warmth, and a genuine desire to help. Sarah’s ability to break down complicated legal issues into clear, understandable steps immediately put me at ease. Her deep knowledge and proactive approach made me believe that my case, which had seemed impossible to resolve, could actually move forward. She worked tirelessly, demonstrating incredible determination, attention to detail, and a commitment to achieving the best outcome. What truly sets Sarah Lister apart are her personal qualities. She is empathetic, approachable, and supportive, which made me feel understood and cared for during such a stressful time. Thanks to her hard work, she saved me from losing my home after the father of my minor son passed away and secured some inheritance for my son’s future. This is life-changing for us, and I am forever grateful. If you are facing complex legal issues, especially involving probate or estates with foreign elements, Sarah Lister is the person you need on your side. She is efficient, proactive, and truly cares about achieving the best outcome for her clients. Thank you, Sarah, for everything you have done!

Cannot begin to express how grateful we are for the outstanding support and care we received from Sarah Crane. We had an extremely difficult Inheritance/probate application spanning over a number of years, as my Aunt passed away domiciled in another country. It was extremely complicated due to the number of challenging links with the country. However, because of her expertise, Sarah was able to deal with these challenges professionally and efficiently, finding effective solutions to every difficult situation that emerged. She has a real ability to identify and resolve problems by simplifying the issue and explaining the best solution that makes it easy for non-legal people to easily understand. I will be forever grateful for the support, advice and guidance Sarah has provided throughout this process, and then delivering a successful outcome. Throughout this long process, Sarah has continuously kept us informed of progress, without have to chase for updates. She always remained professional, thorough and persistent in reaching an outcome for us, as her clients. Thank you Sarah, you have been an absolute pleasure to work with, we were incredibly fortunate to find you.

Partner, Probate

Specialisms & expertise

Examples of work