Ross Anderson specialises in later life planning, helping clients navigate wills, powers of attorney, trusts, inheritance tax planning, and asset protection. He explains what a typical day looks like for him.

I usually start work around 8:30am, though sometimes earlier. My morning routine begins at home: getting my little one ready for school, preparing breakfast and a packed lunch, and caffeinating myself for the day ahead.

During my commute, I spend about half an hour on the train clearing emails. It’s my peaceful zone, a chance to mentally prepare for the day away from home life.

First things first: setting the team up for success

Once I arrive at the office on Bath Street in Glasgow, I check in with the team to ensure everyone has what they need and answer any initial queries. Then it’s usually straight into client appointments.

My role is highly client-facing: I spend most of my day helping high-net-worth individuals with later life planning and inheritance tax strategies.

The work

A significant part of my work involves inheritance tax planning. For instance, changes announced in last October’s Budget mean that, from 2027, pension funds will be subject to inheritance tax: a major shift in the law. Many clients are understandably concerned about how these changes affect their estate planning.

We often deal with complex family situations, including clients with children from previous relationships, children with disabilities, or other circumstances that require bespoke planning.

We are partnered with a number of charities and organisations who refer clients to us for later life planning and legal support in the event of a bereavement.

One recent case involved a client with an inheritance tax liability of £1.9 million. Through careful gifting, trust planning, and financial advice, we were able to significantly reduce that liability.

High Net Worth clients typically come to us via financial adviser referrals. Effective estate planning requires a combination of legal, financial, and accountancy advice. No single discipline can solve an inheritance tax problem on its own.

That being said, I help clients from all walks of life. We are partnered with a number of charities and organisations who refer clients to us for later life planning and legal support in the event of a bereavement.

Why this area of law resonates with me

My interest in this area of law is personal. I grew up in a blended family, and when my father passed away when I was 11, questions of inheritance and stepchild rights came to the forefront. I wrote my university dissertation on the inheritance rights of stepchildren, a topic that remains complex and varies globally.

My interest in this area of law is personal. I grew up in a blended family, and when my father passed away when I was 11, questions of inheritance and stepchild rights came to the forefront.

This experience ignited my passion for later life planning. I enjoy combining mathematical planning, numbers and legal drafting to help people ensure their assets are protected and pass to their beneficiaries as intended.

Afternoon hustle: balancing clients, business, and mentorship

Afternoons are a mix of client meetings, calls, and management responsibilities. As a partner, I’m also focused on bringing new business into the team and mentoring junior colleagues to help them handle complex cases.

Every day presents new challenges. Clients may face urgent situations, like terminal illness, or team members may have personal pressures. I try to keep all plates spinning by focusing on one thing at a time.

Jones Whyte has a strong culture of work-life balance. Many of our partners have young children, so we understand the importance of being present for family while growing a career.

Home time: family, single malts, and a 10K challenge

I usually leave the office around 5:10pm to have dinner and bath time with my five-year-old. Evenings are often spent checking emails lightly between 8pm and 10pm, but I keep Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays largely work-free.

Clients may face urgent situations, like terminal illness, or team members may have personal pressures.

I like to unwind with a single malt and spend quality time with family and friends. I’m training for a 10K in October, so exercise is slowly becoming part of my routine too.

Proudest achievements

Since joining Jones Whyte in 2021, I’ve been involved in our free will-writing campaign with charity partner Macmillan, which has raised over £11 million in gifts in wills. I also contributed to the Scottish Parliament’s consultation on new trust legislation.

Becoming dual-qualified as both an English and Scottish solicitor in just 12 weeks was another milestone I’m very proud of, the timescale borne out of necessity for our firm at the time.

Looking ahead

The world of estate planning and inheritance tax is ever-evolving. Political, economic, and legal changes mean that no two days are the same. That constant learning, applying knowledge to real-life scenarios, and helping clients plan for the future is what excites me most about my work.

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Jones Whyte Solicitors’ Estate Planning Department

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