Wills and Probate

We provide a range of services for people looking to protect their estates offering clear guidance and explaining how each step in the process works.

Wills are becoming increasingly important for the following reasons:

• If your estate becomes liable for Inheritance tax (IHT)
  • Currently this is £300,000 and includes the value of your home
  • Recent Government announcements include:
    • Raising the threshold to £350,000 by 2010.
    • Allowing married couples to pass on their 'nil-band' allowance, effectively doubling the tax free threshold to £600,000 now, rising to £700,000 by 2010.
    • For example when the first partner dies they might leave everything to the surviving partner and on the death of the second partner the tax threshold is doubled. However if the first partner uses some of the allowance, e.g. leaving money to children, then this reduces the transfer value - so talk to us first!
    • Warning: This transfer of nil-band does not apply to all relationships, unmarried or siblings living together will not benefit - Please talk to us to check you are eligible.
  • Through proper planning you can avoid leaving a larger tax bill to your descendants
• Building trusts to preserve assets
  • e.g. ensuring your partner, children and step-children are protected on your death and receive their share of your estate.
• Advice on Care Home fees
  • Preservation of the family home - your home may be at risk from the local authority to pay for fees.
• If you are not married
  • Your partner will not automatically inherit anything, it will go to other relatives
  • You want custody of children to go to your partner
• Appointing Guardians for your children
• You want specific items to go to to friends or relatives
  • e.g. you want gifts to go to god children or charities
    

During the difficult times following a death we are will act efficiently during probate to complete matters quickly and efficiently. Some of our client feedback:

Next step

Book an appointment for a free, no obligation review of your circumstances. Please contact us here.