Wills & Estate Administration

Help with Wills

A will is a legally binding document that sets out who is in charge of administering your estate, how it is distributed, your wishes regarding funeral arrangements and who should look after minor children if there is no-one left alive with parental responsibility.

If you die without a valid will, strict laws will take effect as to how your estate is dealt with, which are unlikely to follow your wishes.

A well-drafted will may also dovetail with appropriate inheritance tax advice, to ensure that your family will not have to deal with an unnecessary inheritance tax liability upon your passing.

Our will specialist belongs to the highly respected Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and adheres to the STEP Will Writing Code of Practice when preparing all wills, ensuring you receive only the very best level of service.

Estate Administration

Estate administration covers the work that is required to release and deal with assets on death. If there is a valid will then a grant of probate is required, if there is no valid will then a grant of letters of administration is needed.

We know that this is a difficult time for the deceased’s loved ones, so you may want professional assistance to deal with the legal and financial administration that is required.

At a minimum, the following steps are most likely to be required:

• establishing valid will
• identifying values of assets and liabilities at date of death
• calculating inheritance tax due if applicable
• paying tax and other liabilities
• collecting assets
• preparing estate accounts
• distributing the estate

Other work could include assisting with the administration of trusts that may arise, or advising on deeds of variation to alter the distribution of the estate within two years of death.

Our estate administration specialist belongs to the highly respected Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Whilst carrying out the administration, our specialist will be approachable and sympathetic to your needs.