Unlike most lawyers we agree a fixed price without any extras, unless the estate is particularly complex. We will need to ask you a number of questions about the estate before we can give you a quote.

Obtaining probate is the process of transferring the assets of someone who has died to their Executors (if there is a Will) or Administrators (if there is no Will). It includes applying to the Court and submitting a tax declaration to HM Revenue & Customs.

If there is no Will we will tell you who is entitled to receive the property of the person who has died. This is known as an intestate estate.

We will transfer the assets of the estate to the Executors or Administrators. We will prepare the Estate Accounts, agree them with you, and arrange for payments of the correct amounts of tax with the remainder paid to the beneficiaries.

 

 

 

When someone dies it is immensely helpful if they have left a will. Without a will the assets pass to a pre ordained list of relatives set by the intestacy rules. These are not always appropriate. For example if you are not married your partner does not receive anything under the rules, even if you have children together. The amount your spouse will receive is capped and may not be adequate.

It does not have to be difficult to make a will, although it is an important document and you should give it careful thought. Start by completing our Will Request Form and completing the questionnaire. We will then ring you. We may advise a meeting or sometimes it is possible to take instructions over the phone. In either case we will agree a price with you.

 

 

 

Powers of Attorney are legal documents in which you appoint someone you trust to look after your affairs on your behalf.

We recommend our clients make Powers of Attorney even if they are in good health. It is very much easier to set them up before they are needed. If it is left until someone can no longer look after their own affairs the process is far more complex. The Power of Attorney is not used until the person who has made it is unable to look after their own affairs.

There are two types of Power of Attorney – one for Health and Welfare, the other for Property and Financial affairs. Normally people make both.

We will prepare Powers of Attorney for the following fixed charges:
£200 for one Power of Attorney (Health and Welfare or Property and Finance)
£75 for the second Power of Attorney for the same person assuming the same Attorney(s) have been appointed.

We may need to charge extra for home visits. Telephone us to check.

Before a Power of Attorney can be used it must be registered with the Public Guardian, which charges a Fee of £120 per Power of Attorney. There are some exemptions and remissions for people on low incomes. The registration process takes 6 weeks. We can register Powers of Attorney for you for £75 for one Power of Attorney or a total of £100 for two Powers for the same person. This is in addition to the Public Guardian's fee.

 

 

 

People are unlikely to list all of their treasured items in their Will. However you can leave instructions about who receives items of particular value (financial or emotional). It can be comforting for your relatives or friends to know you have specially remembered them, and it may also make life easier for your loved ones.

Leaving a list of Personal Effects is not binding on your Executors though they will normally choose to follow your stated wishes. All your assets (including those on the list) will have to be valued for Inheritance Tax purposes.

If you would like to complete a List of Personal Effects please download the free form here.