Wills, Probate and Estate Administration
Planning for the future can provide reassurance that your wishes are clearly recorded and that your affairs can be dealt with properly when the time comes.
Our Wills and Probate team provides clear, practical and sensitive legal advice on wills, probate, estate administration and Lasting Powers of Attorney.
We understand that these matters often arise at difficult or emotional times and will guide you through the legal process with care and professionalism.
Wills
Making a professionally prepared Will allows you to decide how your estate should be distributed and who should be responsible for dealing with your affairs after your death.
Without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed in accordance with the intestacy rules, which may not reflect your wishes.
We can advise on the preparation and updating of Wills, including:
- Preparing a new Will
- Reviewing and updating an existing Will
- Appointing executors
- Gifts to family members and others
- Property and other assets
- Guardianship provisions for children
- Practical estate planning considerations
Probate and Estate Administration
Dealing with the estate of someone who has died can involve a number of legal, financial and administrative responsibilities.
We can provide as much or as little assistance as you require, from helping with a particular aspect of the probate process to dealing with the administration of the estate from beginning to end.
Our services may include:
- Advising executors and administrators
- Applying for a Grant of Probate
- Applying for Letters of Administration where there is no Will
- Advising on the intestacy rules
- Identifying and valuing estate assets and liabilities
- Dealing with inheritance tax requirements
- Collecting estate assets
- Settling liabilities
- Distributing the estate to beneficiaries
Lasting Powers of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint people you trust to make decisions on your behalf should you require assistance in the future.
We can advise on and prepare both types of LPA:
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA – covering matters such as property, bank accounts, investments and financial decisions.
- Health and Welfare LPA – covering decisions concerning matters such as medical treatment, care and personal welfare.
We will explain the options available and help ensure that your LPA properly reflects your wishes.
Clear and Transparent Fees
We understand the importance of knowing the likely cost of legal services from the outset.
Where appropriate, we offer fixed fees for Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and will provide clear information about the costs before commencing work.
For probate and estate administration, the cost will depend upon the size and complexity of the estate and the level of assistance required. We will provide an estimate once we understand the circumstances of the estate.
Language Assistance
Members of our team are able to provide assistance in Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu, helping clients understand the legal process and the advice they receive.