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Wills

It is a fact that many people are reluctant to make Wills. In fact, two out of three people die without one. When this happens the estate is distributed in accordance with a rigid set of rules known as the Intestacy Rules. Spouses receive a set sum and blood relatives are listed in order of priority. This can have disastrous consequences.

As well as providing certainty and guidance for those left behind, a Will saves worry and heartache at a time of great emotional stress. A Will allows you to:

  • Choose your own executors
  • Choose Legal Guardians for your children
  • Choose who inherits your assets
  • Make specific gifts to people
  • Reduce financial problems for beneficiaries
  • Make charity donations
  • Make your own funeral arrangements and decide whether you want burial or cremation
  • Avoid family disputes

Probate and Administration

When someone close to you dies it is a time of stress and distress. Our experienced team is fully able to assist you with consideration, compassion and professionalism.

We offer expertise and experience in all aspects of Probate, Administration and Powers of Attorney. We help guide you through bereavement including the obtaining of a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration as may be appropriate and the administration of the Estate. We provide a service which takes the weight off your shoulders.

Probate is a daunting prospect for most people. The process is generally broken down as follows:

  • After dealing with practical matters such as cleaning the house, arranging the funeral and informing relatives, the Personal Representatives have to assess the deceased's financial circumstances and make sure all assets are protected and insured where appropriate.
  • Once the net assets value have been assessed, it must be determined whether any Inheritance Tax is due on the estate and arrangements made for payment.
  • The above will allow for a Grant of Probate (Will) or Letters of Administration (intestacy) to be issued. The Grant proves the right of the person named on it to deal with the deceased's assets and is accepted by all institutions. The Personal Representatives can then start to close, transfer or sell all the deceased's assets.

We can ably assist you in all the above.

Probate pricing

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

In addition to making a Will, many people wish to draw up an LPA. This is a legal document appointing a spouse or family member to manage your financial affairs should you lose physical or mental capacity in the future. Obviously this is a highly important document and you should take great care appointees are trustworthy and have the appropriate skills to make the decisions you would want.

There are several different Powers of Attorney and we will advise on the most appropriate type, depending on circumstance and need. Whilst some LPAs are drawn up many years in advance of use, others are actioned immediately. This may happen when illness or frailty mean financial affairs or major decisions can no longer be managed by an individual.

Awards and Accreditations

We have met the high standards required by the Law Society's Written Professional Standards. We are accredited with the Law Society's International Lexcel standard and our team is ranked in both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 directories.

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