Wills and Probate
Passing on your Wealth
Everyone with assets should make a will. Although there are rules to deal with estates when there is no will, your assets may not be distributed in the way you would wish, particularly in the case of unmarried partners. You may also be leaving a problem to your dependents at a time when they may be least able to cope with it. We offer an expert and inexpensive will drafting service tailored to your individual circumstances.
Because of the large increase in house prices over the last few years, many people with relatively modest homes, particularly in the South East of England, now have potential estates which would be liable to Inheritance Tax (IHT). Careful planning and will drafting, for instance taking advantage of the exemption of assets left to spouses or creating a trust, can minimise the liability to this tax. It is also possible to dispose of assets while alive, by using the annual IHT exemption, making potentially-exempt gifts, or by passing on inherited assets to the next generation by varying a will. We can advise on the best strategy for your circumstances.
After someone dies, even with a small estate, the amount of work involved in cataloguing the assets, obtaining probate, and executing the will should not be underestimated. We can carry out this work sympathetically and unobtrusively, taking the load at a time when your dependents may not be able to face it.
To obtain an estimate for any of these services, please complete our enquiry form.