Wills & Probate
We have written thousands of wills ranging from simple wills to more complex wills for those looking to place their assets into trust or similar arrangements. Some wills can be drawn to assist in dealing with the problem of rest home fees, Please call us for more details.
Probate is the process under which a person's estate is administered after death. It can be a simple process, but some cases require specialist advice to deal with tax and other issues.
We always aim to make the process as quick and understandable as possible.
Our fee for wills can be provided on request.
The fee for probate work is usually charged as a percentage of the value of the estate, the actual percentage depending upon the complexity of the case.
WILLS and ESTATE PLANNING
Unfortunately making a Will is something most people try to put off as it brings to mind the inevitable fate that awaits us all. In some cases people believe that it may bring about that fate. In fact statistics show that 70% of the population of England and Wales die without having a Will in place. In some cases this is as a result of the mistaken belief that their estate will automatically go to their spouse which is not always the case.
A Will ensures that your property and possessions will go to those who you wish to benefit after payment of all taxes and debts and leaves nothing to chance.
By making a Will you will be
- protecting your loved ones
- appointing Executors and Trustees who you have chosen
- avoiding family disputes
On death your estate will be subject to Inheritance Tax. A nil rate currently applies to the first £325,000 of the estate with 40% tax applying on the balance although a Will can provide a means of tax planning.
The Government made a change in the rules for married couples or those in a civil partnership allowing the surviving spouse/partner to utilise the whole of the nil rate allowance of the first to die as well as their own if this had not had not already been used. This is not available to co-habiting parties and it may not be suitable to rely on this for couples who have children from previous relationships.
If you want to make sure that your wishes are followed and ensure the future of your loved ones please contact us for an informal discussion and consultation.
