Wills and Probate
The Importance of Making a Will cannot be overstated
As we move through life, many of us ponder important questions—how will our loved ones be provided for? What will happen to our children if the worst should happen? Often, we put off making these decisions, but delaying can leave your family vulnerable at a difficult time.
Our Private Client Department is here to guide you through these important decisions, ensuring your wishes are not only recorded but honored. Without a Will, your estate might not be distributed in the way you expect, and decisions about guardianship for minor children may be made without your input.
This can be especially distressing for blended families, as the intestacy rules don’t always accommodate the needs of everyone involved. For instance, couples with children from previous relationships may assume those children will be taken care of. However, under the laws of intestacy, the surviving spouse or civil partner is often the primary beneficiary, leaving little for the children.
Our team can assist you with creating a Will, appointing Executors, and choosing guardians for your children, ensuring peace of mind. For further guidance, please consult our Guide to Wills or speak with one of our experienced solicitors.
For information on how much a Will might cost, please visit our pricing page here.
Estate administration/Probate
When someone dies, there are many things that will need to be done, ranging from arranging the funeral to ultimately distributing the estate. If the person made a Will, they would have appointed executors who are responsible for dealing with the estate and, if necessary, obtaining the grant of probate. If the person died without having made a Will there are a special set of rules governing the order of priority as to who may apply to be appointed as administrator to administer the estate.
Executors and administrators are responsible for collecting in the person’s assets, paying any outstanding debts and administering the estate according to law (and the Will if there is one). There is a raft of legislation that imposes duties on executors and administrators, and failure to comply with these obligations could lead to major problems and delays. For example, an executor / administrator can in some circumstances be personally liable for any debts of the person who has died. Protection can be sought by advertising for claims in a local newspaper and the London Gazette and provided no claims are received, the deceased’s estate can be safely distributed. There is a myriad of matters an executor / administrator will need to deal with during the administration of an estate and our experienced private client department will provide a professional service with expert, tailored advice to ensure matters proceed as swiftly and as stress free as possible.
Please contact us to arrange an appointment with a member of our private client team.
For information relating to the potential costs involved please see our pricing information here.
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