WILLS, PROBATE & LPAs
WILLS
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
By drafting a will, you can ensure your assets pass to persons of your choosing. It is a misconception that if a person dies without having made a will their assets will automatically pass to their spouse or civil partner. Also, if a person dies unmarried but with a long-term partner, that person will not automatically receive any part of the estate.
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Further, if you do not make a clear will expressing who you wish your assets to pass to, then there is a risk that relatives or dependents may claim under the Inheritance Act 1975 for financial provision.
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Drafting a will can offer you the security of knowing your estate will be shared between those you wish to benefit and you will know you have done what you could to make things easier for those you have left behind. Our wills are sensibly priced and we offer free safe keeping of your wills.
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Our experienced team can advise on the following:
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Who is suitable as executor(s)
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What is achievable by way of split of legacies
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How you can protect parts of your estate for certain beneficiaries
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Whether there are any tax saving to be made
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Making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is as important as making a Will.
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A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document which allows you to delegate certain responsibilities for day to day living that you could otherwise carry out for yourself where you anticipate that in the future you may wish for or require assistance. By choosing a trusted attorney (or attorneys) whilst you are fit and well, you will know that your best interests will be championed if you become vulnerable and that you have done everything you can to prepare your attorney(s) if the need arises.
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Our experienced team can advise on the following:
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the types of power of attorney
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when they come onto effect
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the legal effect of the choices you make
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new LPAs work in practice
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any potential conflict between a welfare LPA and a living will
If you are trying to help someone else and they haven’t put powers of attorney in place, then we can also help when a Court of Protection application is required.
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We offer a consultation for £60 including VAT
We offer a consultation for £60 including VAT
ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES
We provide a supportive professional service for those who have been appointed to administer the estate upon someone's passing. We recognise that this is a stressful time where you may be dealing with a deep sense of loss and grief. We ensure that you are provided with expert advice and assistance sensitively so you can feel supported and confident in your role as an executor. Whilst dealing with the legal formalities complex issues can arise during the administration of an estate.
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Our experienced team can advise on the following:
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What needs to be done urgently
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Whether a grant is required
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Whether inheritance tax will be payable
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Explain the intestacy rules if there is no will
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How to deal with joint assets
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How to deal with the estate
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What to do when somebody want to challenge the will
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We offer a consultation for £60 including VAT
ANCILLARY SERVICES
The work types shown on this page all form part of what is known as the “Private Client” department. But in addition to Wills, Powers of Attorney and Probate, our clients do call on us to provide additional or ancillary services. Some of these are standalone and self explanatory – such as a Deed of Change of Name or a Declaration of Trust, for instance. Others may follow-on from one of the other Private Client services – for example a Transfer of Registered Property following a death will more than likely be linked to a Probate, where the transfer of the property is implemented as part of the administration of the estate.
If you feel you need details of what these ancillary services cover, or believe that you may be in need of one of the services, then please do get in touch for an explanation.​
We offer a consultation for £60 including VAT
Stuart Johnson Consultant Solicitor
Stephanie Beckett-Moore Fee Earner
Serra Harrison Solicitor
Daphne Hammond Legal Assistant