People are living longer than ever before and the need to protect accumulated wealth for your own use, or to pass on to your heirs, is vital. House price inflation means many homeowners fall into the Inheritance Tax net and with more and more people buying second homes, in the UK or abroad, there is increased need to use specialist adviceto protect estates.

Wills

The process for drawing up a Will is generally far more straight forward than most people believe. It is an action that can provide you with the knowledge that, in the event of your death, your wishes can be acted on promptly and in a timely manner. It also ensures that the distribution of assets can be undertaken quickly and efficiently to provide security for your family.

We can advise on the drafting and updating of Wills to ensure that as your circumstances change, your Will continues to reflect your wishes.

Probate

Our team of Probate specialists provide advice with understanding and sensitivity when winding up and administrating estates. They can establish whether it is necessary to obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration to allow assets to be collected and distributed in accordance with the wishes of the deceased.

Where appropriate, the service includes tax saving advice to ensure the estate is passed on, in as efficient a manner as possible, to the beneficiaries.

Typically, after death, the process will take between 6 months to a year, with 9 months being the average time for probate to complete. 

Probate timescales will depend on the complexity and size of the estate. If there is a Will in place and the estate is relatively straightforward it can be done within 6 months. 

Trusts

Trusts provide considerable scope to pass on assets or reduce tax liability by placing the asset outside of your estate. We can act as Trustees on your behalf or draft Trust documentation to place the Trusteeship with your nominated individuals.

Lasting Powers of Attorney allow you to place the day-to-day administration of your finances with an Attorney, if your health is poor or your mental faculty prohibits you from attending to financial affairs. Our specialist practitioners will explain how these documents can be best used to support your circumstances and will draft them in accordance with your wishes