Making a Will is a commonsense way of ensuring that your family and other persons who you would wish to provide for do benefit from everything that you leave and is a sensible way of ensuring that your affairs are in good order. If you die without making a Will, then the law states what is going to happen to your estate, and in a number of cases, this may not be what you intend. For example, in certain cases your spouse may not get the whole of your estate. A Will can set your mind at rest because you know that your wishes are legally binding and it can save family squabbles and avoid unspoken resentment which can so often occur when there is no Will. Wills can also be used to mitigate the tax payable on your death and the Department will be able to advise you in this regard.

Once made, it is essential that a Will is kept under review as personal circumstances and tax laws can change. The Department can advise whether any change in the Will is necessary and as to whether this should be done by making a new Will or a Codicil. This Firm is pleased to act as an Executor if required.

It is never too early to make a Will!

Will Charges*

Single Will = £75.00 plus VAT - £88.13

Mirror Will
Combined fee for Couple with
Similar wills = £150.00 plus VAT = £176.25

*Please note that the above prices only apply to short and simple Wills. For more complicated or detailed Wills a separate quotation will be given.

Estate Planning

Normally your estate would have been built up through hard work and savings during your lifetime and, in most cases, you would wish to ensure that your family were well provided for on your death and that the maximum amount of your wealth would pass to your heirs. This may well be the intention but, in a lot of cases, on death the Inland Revenue can become a major beneficiary, thus defeating your object.

The Department can advise on the most tax efficient ways of regulating your affairs so that on death tax is mitigated. This may involve advice on actions that you should take during your lifetime as well as provisions that should be inserted in your Will.

Power of Attorney

One of the hard facts of life is that no-one knows for certain what is going to happen to them in the future. If, for example, you were to suffer an accident which rendered you mentally incapable of handling your affairs, who would deal with them and would this cause financial difficulties to your family while matters were being sorted out?

If a person becomes mentally incapable then it is normally necessary to apply to the Court of Protection for the appointment of a Receiver to manage the patient’s affairs. This procedure can be time consuming, impersonal and expensive in that decisions are made by the Court at a distance.

To avoid the above problems it is now possible to make an Enduring Power of Attorney which is like an insurance policy in that provision can be made in the document for the Power of Attorney only to take effect on mental incapacity. On mental incapacity taking effect, the Attorney, subject to certain simple Court formalities, has full power to deal with the person’s affairs with the minimum amount of bureaucracy. In some cases, we often find that an elderly person does not wish to have the responsibility of looking after their own financial affairs and would prefer a relative or professional adviser to look after them. In those cases, it is possible for an Enduring Power of Attorney to be prepared to take effect straight away. The Department can advise on and prepare Enduring Powers of Attorney and is pleased to assist Attorneys in the carrying out of their duties and in applying to the Court of Protection for registration of the Power of Attorney when required. The Firm is pleased to act as Attorney if so required.

Court of Protection

In cases where there is no Enduring Power of Attorney and a person is unable to mange his affairs, the Department can act for a relative in applying to the Court of Protection to be appointed as Receiver and can assist the Receiver in relation to the administration of the patient’s affairs and obtaining any necessary orders from the Court.

The Firm is pleased to act as Receiver where the next of kin would prefer a professional person to be appointed.

Settlements and Trusts

The Department can advise and act in the setting up and administration of Settlements and Trusts. The Firm is prepared to act as a Trustee when so required and is also pleased to act for the Trustees of existing Settlements and Trusts.

Probate

On the death of a person, it is often necessary to obtain a Grant of Probate (if the deceased made a Will) or a Grant of Letters of Administration (if there is no Will) to deal with the deceased person’s affairs. The Department provides a sympathetic service in obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration and in dealing with all aspects of the administration of the deceased person’s estate. In cases where an Executor or the next of kin do not wish to act as an Executor or Administrator the Firm is prepared, in certain circumstances, to take over this responsibility.

Instructions for straight forward Wills can normally be dealt with by completion of a Questionnaire with any queries being dealt with by telephone. Alternatively arrangements can be made for an appointment to see you to discuss your requirements. To request a Will Questionnaire or appointment please contact us