Wills, Trusts and Probate

Wills & Estate Planning

A professionally drafted will ensures that your estate passes in accordance with your wishes and that the right people are appointed to deal with your affairs. Without a valid will, the law decides who inherits, which may not reflect your intentions or your family circumstances. We advise on all types of wills, from simple family wills to more complex arrangements involving business interests, second families and vulnerable beneficiaries. We can also review and update existing wills to reflect changes in your life or in the law. For more information see here

Trusts

Trusts can be a flexible way to protect assets, provide for future generations and plan for tax efficiently. They are often used to benefit children or vulnerable beneficiaries, to ring-fence family wealth, or to control how and when funds are made available. Our team advises on the creation, management and winding up of trusts, including discretionary trusts, life interest trusts and trusts arising under wills. We can also work alongside your financial advisers and accountants as part of a wider estate and tax planning strategy.

Probate and estate administration including advice on intestacy

Dealing with an estate after a death can feel overwhelming, especially at an already difficult time. The process may involve obtaining a grant of probate or letters of administration, collecting in assets, paying debts and tax, and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries. We offer a tailored service—from obtaining the grant only, through to handling the full administration of simple and complex estates, including those involving inheritance tax, business or agricultural property, and assets in multiple jurisdictions. Our aim is to make the process as straightforward and transparent as possible.

Read more about our probate and estate administration service here

We can explain how the intestacy rules apply in a particular case, advise potential beneficiaries on their rights and help personal representatives through the process of administering an intestate estate. Where appropriate, we can also advise on deeds of variation to achieve a fairer or more tax-efficient outcome.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint trusted people to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so in the future. There are separate LPAs for property and financial affairs, and for health and welfare. Putting LPAs in place now can avoid uncertainty and expense later, and gives you control over who will manage your affairs if needed. We advise on the choice of attorneys, prepare and register LPAs with the Office of the Public Guardian, and can also act as professional attorneys where appropriate.

More about Lasting Powers of Attorney here

Court of Protection

When someone lacks mental capacity and has not made an LPA, it may be necessary to apply to the Court of Protection for authority to manage their property and financial affairs or to make specific decisions about their welfare.

We advise families, carers and professionals on deputyship applications, statutory wills, and other Court of Protection matters. Our team can prepare the required evidence and documentation, guide you through the process and, where appropriate, act as professional deputies.