Wills and Probate Solicitors

Contacts

Writing A Will

Making a will is one of the most important financial decisions any person undertakes. The rise in property wealth and the decline in marriage especially (a surviving co-habitee has no protection when their partner dies), has in recent years made the writing of a will essential.

A will can ensure that your loved ones are not burdened with the financial complications arising from your death and will also guarantee that your valued assets pass to the beneficiaries of your choice. Parents should make a will so that a guardian is appointed to look after any minor children.

When preparing your will, we will consider the likely value of your estate and, where necessary, provide inheritance tax planning advice to maximize the net value of your estate. We will also advise on any potential claims against your estate.

Probate

We are able to advise executors and administrators on all aspects of the administration of estates. We act as executors and are well placed to advise on a number of issues which commonly arise out of the administration of an estate, such as:

Post death tax planning and deeds of variation
Assessment of inheritance tax and the completion of the necessary inheritance tax returns
International estates
Intestacies (where no will has been made)
Potential disputes on inheritance and claims from dependants
Investment advice for trustees and beneficiaries (see Financial Services)

What they say about us

Quoted from Legal 500 2010

Headed by the ‘technically very able’ Jonathan Schoop, Prettys has ‘a good team that offers value for money’. The ‘practical and pragmatic approach’ of skilled junior lawyers is appreciated by clients including international estates.

Links

HM Revenue & Customs - www.hmrc.gov.uk
Office of the Public Guardian - http://www.publicguardian.gov.uk/
St Elizabeth Hospice - http://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/
Farleigh Hospice - http://www.farleigh.org/
The Notaries Society - http://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk/