Wills and Probate
Estate planning can often be a subject which we do not like to discuss however it is important that you spend time considering what your wishes are to ensure that you have provided for your loved ones.
Here at Clodes we understand that this will involve considering difficult subjects, but the aim is always to ensure that you have a Will that reflects your current wishes. We provide a competitive priced Will drafting service and have done so for over 25 years; all Wills are drafted by qualified Solicitors at our practice.
For those who also wish to plan ahead for times in the future when they are unable to manage their Health & Welfare and Property & Financial affairs we are able to prepare and register Lasting Powers of Attorney documents to ensure that such affairs are properly managed by someone they trust.
In addition to estate planning our probate team also regularly deals with the administration of estates as well as contentious disputes arising from estates both small and large including will challenges, setting aside gifts and removing executors. Whatever your circumstances we aim to make the process of estate planning as simple as possible.
Do I need a Will?
It is prudent for everyone to have a Will which represents their current wishes. If you do not have a Will you may not have provided for your loved ones not only in terms of leaving gifts in your Will but you will not have had the opportunity to name who you would like to manage and distribute your estate nor will you have been able to appoint guardians for your children, if applicable.
What happens if I do not have a Will?
Without a Will the Rules of Intestacy govern how your estate is distributed. The rules of intestacy prevent a surviving unmarried partner or those not in a Civil Partnership taking a share of the estate.
In some circumstances a partner may have a valid claim against an estate although whether they could fund an action or are aware they may have a claim is another matter. If you wish to try to avoid such circumstances please get in touch with one of our team today.
Setting up Trusts
At Clodes we can advise on and help set up trusts to reduce Inheritance Tax bills or to provide for minors and disabled beneficiaries.
A testator often dislikes the idea of their Will gift not providing the opportunity to improve the disabled persons standard of living and merely replacing state-funded benefits and services until the monies fall below the excluded capital level.
A Vulnerable Beneficiary Trust or Disabled Person’s Trust can be a useful way of providing real benefit to the beneficiary without affecting means tested benefits. These Trusts can be a far better way forward than merely not making any provision for the vulnerable or disabled person. Where a Disabled Person is not provided for on the basis that they will derive no real benefit from the testator’s estate a Family Dependence Act claim for a Will Variation may ultimately be brought against the estate on the testator’s death.
Tax planning should not be overlooked and we will ensure you understand how Inheritance Tax impacts on your estate.
Will Prices
The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter. For example, the prices outlined apply if there are less than 10 beneficiaries and no occupation clauses or trusts need to be created. If you require a more bespoke quote please do not hesitate to contact us on 02920 765050.
- Single Will (Standard) £180 plus VAT (charged at 20%)
- Mirror Wills (Standard) £250 plus VAT (charged at 20%)