Wills, Trusts & Probate

In case your health falters in later years, now is the time to plan ahead and think about your future care, by deciding on who might look after your affairs if you become incapacitated, how you might fund residential care or even by writing a living will.

To put your mind at ease, it is sensible to think about tax planning, a will review, advice on Powers of Attorney or in relation to the administration of an estate of which you have been appointed executor. In any or all of these cases, our experienced private client team can help.

Court of Protection

There may be circumstances where it is necessary for an application to be made to the Court of Protection. This is a Court that deals with the affairs of people who are no longer capable of managing their own affairs.

Long term residential care

It is a fact of life that many people need to go into a nursing home or some other form of long-term residential care when they get older. Your savings and home can be used to pay for this care. But simply transferring the ownership to your children is no guarantee that your house is protected from being used to pay fees. We provide advice and practical help on dealing with situations of this kind.

Personal Representatives

Personal representatives are the people named in a Will to act as Executor or next of kin of someone who has died, leaving no Will.
Being a personal representative has heavy responsibilities and can be legally difficult. We relieve you of the burden of getting Probate and help ensure that the wishes of the deceased are followed.
For more information click here

Powers of Attorney

Have you considered how you would manage your affairs if you became unable to do so yourself, because of physical or mental ill-health? Having a Lasting Power of Attorney enables you to appoint somebody to handle your affairs, and minimises the problems should this situation arise.

Putting property in trust

You may want to put your property in trust for tax reasons, or to safeguard it for future purposes. We have extensive experience of drafting and advising on the different types of trust, their effects and tax implications. We can also advise on the implications and means of removing the property from trust.

Tax planning

Tax laws are complex and forever changing. Our specialists can advise you on the best way to plan ahead and to arrange your tax affairs during your lifetime, to minimise the amount of tax payable.

Wills

If you do not make a Will, your property and other assets may not pass to who you want. Click here to see our flowchart which details what happens if you die without a will.

The future well-being of your family may depend on you having an effective and legally valid Will. Using our specialist knowledge of property, trusts and tax, we will help you cater for a number of different possibilities and prepare the Will, to give you peace of mind.

You may have prepared a Will but some years ago. However, as a result of changes in your own personal, family or financial circumstances, it may no longer reflect your current wishes. Changes in the Inheritance Tax provisions may also mean you need to review your Will. We offer a no-cost discussion to help you identify whether or not any changes will be beneficial to you.

Will Review Form

Click here to complete our on-line Will review form and we will contact you within 2 working days.