Wills, Estate Administration and Powers of Attorney

Although most people have considered the necessity of making a will only a small proportion actually do so. The absence of a will, or a poorly written document, can lead to disputes over property, belongings and finance and large inheritance tax bills. We offer an expert yet competitively priced will writing service tailored to your individual circumstances. We can also advise on tax planning and setting up trusts. 

Our Areas Of Expertise Include:

Estate Administration - Probate

The upset of a family member passing away is often exacerbated by the responsibilities of having to administrator their estate. The administration procedures can be daunting.  We aim to assist you by making every step of the way as straightforward as possible.

We offer professional but sensitive guidance.  Our service begins as soon as you need us and can include funeral arrangements, notifying banks and other relevant parties, calculating the Inheritance Tax, applying for and obtaining the Grant of Probate, preparation of estate accounts and distributing the estate.

Our Services Include:

  • Initial attendance and consideration of the options and assessing most appropriate way forward based on yours circumstances;

  • Determining assets;

  • Informing all organisations with whom the deceased had assets;

  • Obtaining valuations for property and contents;

  • Assisting in arranging for the property to be placed on the market;

  • Completing the IHT 205 in a taxable estate;

  • Obtaining the grant of probate;

  • Preparing the oath and submitting the probate application;

  • Preparing a final estate account;

  • Distributing the assets.

Key Stages

1 - investigate the value of the estate

2 - file the probate application

3 - the assets of the deceased are collected

4 - any gifts set out in the deceased's will (if there is one) are paid.

5 - any debts, tax, funeral expenses and costs to do with the administration are paid.

6 - pay any inheritance tax due

7 - and what is left over is distributed to the beneficiaries entitled to it 

Time scales:

On average estates where there is a will are dealt with in between 5 months to 18 months from initial instructions.

  • Typically obtaining the grant of probate takes 6-20 weeks from initial instructions.

  • Collecting assets then follows which can take between 6-15 weeks from obtaining the grant of probate.

  • Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets which normally take 4-8 weeks from collecting assets.

On average estates where there is no will are dealt with in between 5 months to 18 months from initial instructions.

  • Typically obtaining the Letters of Administration takes 7-27 weeks from initial instructions.

  • Collecting assets then follows which can take between 6-15 weeks from obtaining the Letters of Administration.

  • Once this has been done, we can distribute the assets which normally take 4-8 weeks from collecting assets.

Powers of Attorney

Life is full of uncertainties and to protect you from these it is a good idea to set up a Power of Attorney. An Ordinary Power of Attorney gives someone else the power to handle your financial affairs for you while you are able to oversee them and make your own decisions.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives someone the authority to make decisions on your behalf should you lose the ability to do so. Whichever option is best for you, we can advise and prepare applications. We are happy to arrange home and hospital visits for those who are unable to attend our offices. We will complete the forms with you and file these with the Public Guardianship office. Their fee is currently £82 per application.

T: 020 8699 3477

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