Wills & Probate

Wills

Our dedicated Wills Department can assist you in making a Will from a simple straight forward Will to a more complicated Will involving trusts and tax  planning.  

There are still an alarming number of people in the UK without a Will which could lead to their loved ones being involved in a complex and costly legal dispute.  

We can work closely with your financial advisor or accountant to ensure your estate is as tax efficient as possible and to ensure that as much of your Estate as possible to left to your loved ones.

Probate

We offer assistance with probate procedures and the administration of Estates following the death of a loved one. 

Our probate team will take away the burden of dealing with a loved one’s Estate after their death and they will be on hand to offer practical advice with inheritance tax forms, obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration right through to releasing assets of the Estate, paying outstanding debts and distributing the Estate as per the Will or in the event of your loved one dying without a Will (intestate) as per the Intestacy Rules.

Long Term Estate Planning

It is becoming more and more common that people are requiring the assistance of care homes and it is sensible to start preparing your Estate for long term care planning as early as possible.
Although people may not wish to consider or entertain the idea of a care home, sometimes this decision is taken out of their hands which would leave assets unprotected should they have to pay for their care in the future.

Our team can guide you through the Rules surrounding paying for care and put practical steps in place in order to protect your assets.  

Lasting Power of Attorney

Lasting Power of Attorneys can be prepared in relation to your property and financial affairs and/or your personal health and welfare. 

Although you may be fit and able to manage your own affairs in the present day, there may come a time when you are not physically or mentally able to do so.  Your spouse and/or children do not have an automatic right to handle your affairs on your behalf.

If you are considering a Lasting Power of Attorney and need our specialist advice we will be able to handle everything for you.  Once the Lasting Power of Attorney is in place you can continue to manage your affairs as you currently do, however, should there come a time when you require your spouse and/or children and/or nominated Attorney to handle your affairs on your behalf, your Lasting Power of Attorney will already be in place.

Trusts

You are able to set up Trusts in your lifetime or a trust can be made in your Will.  A Trust allows you to make provisions for family members by reducing your tax liability or it can make provision for vulnerable individuals without making an outright gift to them.  

Trusts are extremely helpful in many aspects of tax planning and estate protection and they are not just for wealthy people.  This area of law is constantly changing and it is therefore very important that you seek our specialist advice to ensure that your estate is properly protected and your family receives the benefit from your estate.

Wills, Probate and Estate Disputes