Our experienced team of specialists can offer a range of services to suit your individual requirements, to include advice on Wills, trusts, UK tax planning and the administration of estates.

Probate and Administration of Estates

The loss of a close friend or family member is a traumatic experience. You may not feel ready to deal with all the complexities of administering the estate. Our specialised team of probate solicitors provide either a complete service from start to finish, or advise on particular aspects, which may include: 

• Advice for Personal Representatives on their responsibilities and personal liability
• Informing beneficiaries
• Obtaining correct information to satisfy Inland Revenue requirements
• Agreeing valuations of property with the District Valuer to avoid penalties and finalising the  Inheritance Tax position with the Inland Revenue
• Completion of Inland Revenue Accounts within the prescribed timeframe to avoid unnecessary  interest and penalties
• Advise and claim relief where possible to mitigate any Inheritance Tax liability
  
• Advising and assisting in the administration of estates where there is no will and a person dies  Intestate
  
• Inheritance Tax planning, including Deeds of Variation or Disclaimer to reduce the Inheritance  Tax liability or redirect gifts made on a person’s death
  
• Advice on issues such as a contentious probate or contested Will, including the validity of a Will,  a claim against an estate by a disappointed beneficiary or on any other difficulties arising in the  administration of an estate
  

Where we have been appointed as Executors in the will, we will deal with the general administration of the estate keeping all parties updated with the progress being made.

 download our factsheet: probate explained

Wills

It is important to ensure that your affairs are in order before you die to spare your family and friends any unnecessary difficulties and to make sure that you leave your estate to those you wish to benefit. If you die without a will, you risk disappointing those close to you or, at worst, leaving them in serious financial difficulties.

Our specialist wills and trusts solicitors can guide you through the options that are available to you in preparing your will, sympathetically taking into consideration your personal circumstances and family set-up, including:

• Will drafting
• Helping you to specify who is to benefit from your estate 
• Setting out your funeral arrangements
• Appointing as Executors those persons who you wish to administer your estate, or we can be appointed as executors to deal with all the administration of your estate
• Appointing guardians to look after young children and even making provision for your pets!
• Establishing a trust where  appropriate to protect assets for specific individuals who may  have a disability or are children from a previous relationship
• Protection of assets from possible nursing or care home fees in the future

If a trust has already been established, then we can advise the trustees on their responsibilities including their fiduciary duties and compliance with accounting requirements as well as in the general  administration and winding up of a trust.

Our specialist team can also assist you on the setting up of trusts during your lifetime. You may wish to do this to protect vulnerable family members, to plan for inheritance tax purposes or to protect your assets.

Factsheet: Not made your will yet?