Faces of TET: Merry Abbott

Senior Associate Merry Abbott didn’t grow up dreaming of a career in tax and trusts. In fact, when she was awarded a training contract with the Government Legal Service at 20, she was hoping for something a bit more dramatic. Instead, she was placed with HMRC.

“I thought, why on earth would I want to work there? It sounded so boring! But it ended up shaping my whole career.”

At HMRC, Merry worked across four different areas of tax law including litigation, advisory, and writing legislation. One of her proudest moments? Helping draft the law that introduced the soft drinks industry levy, better known as the sugar tax. “I joke that it’s my fault Diet Coke is cheaper than full fat. But it gave me a deep respect for the technical detail of the law. Every word matters.”

That experience lit a spark. Merry knew she loved the technical side of tax but missed the human connection. A colleague said: “You need to be a private client lawyer.” She’s never looked back.

Bringing numbers to life

At Freeths, Merry focuses on lifetime planning, supporting clients with tax-efficient wills, succession planning, family trusts and business structuring. Her clients range from high-net-worth entrepreneurs to families with complex dynamics, where emotions run just as high as asset values.

“It gives people real peace of mind. You can say, ‘If you do this, you’ll save this much tax’ and that clarity means a lot. But it’s also emotional. For many clients, this is about more than money.”

One of Merry’s most rewarding recent matters involved two business owners who built their £20 million engineering firm from scratch. What they wanted wasn’t flashy tax minimisation - it was continuity.

“They care deeply about their employees and local apprenticeships. They want to know the business won’t collapse if one of them dies. It’s been brilliant building a relationship where they trust me to advise on everything, even beyond the legal brief.”

When things go wrong, and how to fix them

Sometimes Merry is called in to untangle things after a loss. One case involved a client who found out after her mother’s death that her mother had signed away her home into a ‘family protection trust’, thanks to a cold-calling scam.

“It’s sadly common. A well-dressed stranger knocks on the door and scares vulnerable people into signing. These trusts promise to protect the house from tax and probate, but they do more harm than good.”

Merry worked quickly to remove the property from the trust, liaised with HMRC to reduce penalties, and helped the client inherit as her mother had intended. “She used the money to buy her dream bungalow with a garden and countryside views. She sent me photos and said, ‘This is what Mum would’ve wanted’.”

The human side of high-value advice

Merry’s role is technical, but never impersonal. Some clients want to save every penny of tax. Others, like one recent high-net-worth widow, just wanted to enjoy life with her family. “She kept saying, ‘I just want to make memories now.’ And honestly, it made me stop and reflect too. This work is about people, and their fears, hopes, and legacies.”

She’s also passionate about debunking myths, like the idea that giving away your house to your children guarantees inheritance tax savings. “It’s not that simple. If you’re still living in the house, HMRC will tax it. We see these misunderstandings and thankfully, because we work closely with our Residential team, we can catch it early.”

A people-first profession

Merry is clear: Private client work is not the ‘easy’ option. “It’s one of the most complex areas of law. You need razor-sharp technical skills but also the ability to explain things clearly, build relationships, and be there when clients are grieving or anxious. You’re part lawyer, part translator, part counsellor.”

That’s why she values the Freeths TET team so much.

“There’s always someone to ask, someone to laugh with, and someone who gets it. We deal with death, loss and high emotion every day. You need a team that lifts you up.”

Formula One, four-legged friends and the future

Away from work, Merry recharges with help from her cavapoo, long walks, and a serious Formula One obsession.

As for the future of the sector? Merry sees big changes ahead. “We’re expecting a flood of clients, especially business owners and farmers wanting to plan ahead, given all the proposed tax reforms. We’re also seeing people asking about leaving the UK altogether. It’s a turbulent time, but we’re here to help.”