A KEIGHLEY law firm is expanding its wills, trusts and probate department.

Melissa Butler has joined the team at AWB Charlesworth Solicitors as a paralegal.

She has nearly a decade of experience in estate administration, the preparation of wills and lasting powers of attorney, and dealing with applications to the Court of Protection.

"I’m delighted to have joined AWB Charlesworth," she says.

"It is a long-established firm with a great reputation. It's progressive in its approach to the law, yet still has the strong values of a family firm."

The company's wills, trusts and probate department now has an 11-strong team, including five solicitors and a specialist accountant.

It works closely with the residential and commercial property departments, litigation, and commercial and corporate team.

The wills, trusts and probate work is split across three offices, serving clients throughout an area including the Aire Valley and Yorkshire Dales.

Jenny Barron, the firm's head of private client, says: "I'm delighted to welcome Melissa to AWB Charlesworth. Our wills and probate business is going from strength to strength and we've an urgent need to expand our team to cover the quantity of work and maintain our excellent standards of service. Melissa’s extensive experience is a great advantage to us as we increasingly take on complex inheritance work and help families with multiple assets."