Estate Administration Solicitors

+ Will Writing

Making a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and ensure your wishes are followed. Our will writing solicitors provide straightforward advice to help you set out your instructions clearly, from appointing executors and guardians to managing complex family or financial arrangements. Every will we draft is legally sound and tailored to your specific needs.

+ Lasting Power of Attorney

If you ever lose the ability to make decisions for yourself, a lasting power of attorney ensures someone you trust can act on your behalf. Our LPA lawyers will guide you through the process of creating both property and financial affairs LPAs, as well as health and welfare LPAs. With the right documents in place, you can rest assured that your wishes will be respected and your affairs managed responsibly.

+ Court of Protection

When someone loses mental capacity and doesn’t have a Lasting Power of Attorney in place, families may need to apply to the Court of Protection. Our court of protection solicitors guide you through the application process, helping you to secure deputyship and make decisions in your loved one’s best interests. We handle every case with sensitivity and a clear focus on achieving the right outcome.

+ Probate

Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone’s estate after they pass away. It can involve everything from securing a grant of probate to distributing assets and settling debts. Our fixed fee probate solicitors provide expert support with each step, ensuring that the estate is managed lawfully and in accordance with the will. We reduce the stress of families at a difficult time and offer complete transparency on timescales and costs.

+ Grant of Probate

Before an executor can begin managing an estate, they will usually need official permission from the Probate Registry. This is known as the grant of probate. Our grant of probate solicitors take care of the entire application process on your behalf - ensuring the correct documents are submitted, timelines are met, and you’re supported with professional guidance from start to finish.

+ Trusts

Trusts are a powerful estate planning tool that can help you manage and when assets are passed on. They are often used to protect wealth, provide for future generations, or manage inheritance in more complex family arrangements. Our trust law solicitors will advise you on the best structure for your goals, prepare the legal documentation, and ensure the trust is set up correctly from the outset.

+ Inheritance Tax Planning

Rising property values and increasingly complex estates mean more families are becoming liable for inheritance tax. With the right advice, it's often possible to reduce or even avoid unnecessary tax burdens. We offer tailored inheritance tax advice to help you plan ahead, make use of reliefs and exemptions, and preservice more of your estate for the people you care about.

+ Register a Trust

If you’re acting as a trustee, you may be legally required to register the trust with HMRC. We offer a straightforward service to help you meet your obligations under the UK Trust Registration Service. Our team will complete the registration on your behalf and advise you on what ongoing responsibilities apply, ensuring full compliance and avoiding unnecessary penalties.

+ Private Client Packages

We understand that many clients want clear costs and efficient service when dealing with personal legal matters. That’s why we offer a range of Private Client Pricing Packages for services such as wills, LPAs, and probate. These fixed-price options give you certainty and value, with no hidden fees and no compromise on quality or care.

+ Who Should Consider Estate Planning?

Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy, it’s for anyone who wants to make clear decisions about what happens to their assets, protect their loved ones and reduce stress on their family in the future. Our Estate Planning Solicitors help individuals at every stage of life put legally robust plans in place, tailored to their circumstances.

+ Is DIY Estate Planning a Good Idea?

While DIY kits and templates are available, they carry significant risks. Even small errors such as unclear wording, incorrect witnessing, or missing legal clauses can result in disputes or render a will invalid. Estate planning is too important to leave to chance. By instructing experienced Lawyers for Wills and Estates, you can be confident that your documents are legally sound, tailored to your circumstances, and built to stand up to scrutiny in the future.

+ What Makes a Will Legally Valid in the UK?

For a will to be legally valid, it must be in writing, signed by the person making it and witnessed by two people who are not beneficiaries. Even small errors can cause disputes later. Our Wills and Estates Lawyers ensure your will meets all legal requirements and reflects your wishes with precision.

+ Do I Need a Trust if I Already Have a will?

A will sets out who will inherit your assets, but it doesn’t give you much control over how or when they’re received. A trust can offer greater flexibility, allowing you to protect assets, delay inheritance until a certain age, or support vulnerable beneficiaries in a more structured way. Many people choose to use both a will and a trust as part of a comprehensive estate plan. Our Wills and Trust Lawyers can advise on the best approach based on your personal and financial circumstances.

+ How Can Trusts be Used in Estate Planning?

Trusts are often used to control how and when beneficiaries receive assets. They can help protect vulnerable family members, manage inheritance for young children, or reduce tax liabilities. Our Trusts and Estate Lawyers will guide you on the best type of trust for your goals and make sure it’s set up correctly.

+ Can Estate Planning Help Minimise Inheritance Tax?

Yes. Effective estate planning can make a substantial difference to the amount of Inheritance Tax your estate may be liable for. By using strategies such as gifting, making use of tax-free allowances, placing assets into trusts, or structuring your will correctly, it’s often possible to reduce or even eliminate unnecessary tax burdens. These options can be complex, and timing is often crucial.

Our Estate Planning Solicitors work closely with individuals and families to create tailored, tax-efficient plans that preserve more of the estate for future generations, while ensuring full legal compliance.

+ How Often Should I Update my Will?

You should review your will every few years or after major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, having children, or buying property. Our Will and Estate Lawyers can help you make updates quickly and efficiently, keeping your documents in line with your wishes.

+ Can a Will be Challenged After Someone Dies?

Yes, a will can be contested in certain circumstances. Common reasons include claims that the person lacked mental capacity when making the will, that it wasn’t properly signed or witnessed, or that someone was unduly influenced. In some cases, individuals may also challenge a will if they believe they’ve been unfairly left out or inadequately provided for under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

These disputes can be both emotionally and legally complex. Our Probate and Estate Lawyers advise executors, beneficiaries, and claimants with sensitivity and clarity, helping to resolve matters efficiently and protect the estate from unnecessary conflict.

+ What Happens if Someone Dies Without a Will?

If there’s no valid will in place, their estate is divided according to the rules of intestacy. This may not reflect what the person would have wanted and can lead to disputes. Our Probate and Estate Lawyers can help you understand your rights and guide you through the administration process.