In preparing wills and trusts we assist our clients to plan for their
families, farm businesses and commercial enterprises. These are used as
tools in effecting gifts of property, planning for business succession
and tax planning.
Trusts can be made during lifetime or as part of a Will. The creation
of a trust, with the transfer of assets to trustees, is a method of seeking
tax savings and also to put assets under the control of trustees for the
benefit of third parties. This is a complex area and there are many different
forms that can be considered. If you wish to contact us for further information
please email us with an outline of your enquiry.
Every adult should make a Will and should review it every few years or
when their personal circumstances change or there is a change in the law.
Making a will is essential to make sure that
- the right people inherit your assets
- you provide for your dependants
- your estate is administered
as you wish; and
- you consider any appropriate tax saving step
Anyone who dies without a valid will is described as intestate which means that management of your estate is passed to court-appointed administrators. The statutory Intestacy Rules determine where your property ends up. In particular the Intestacy Rules make no provision for unmarried partners.
If you have assets totalling over £250,000 (with effect from 6 April 2002) then the drafting of a will may also help you avoid paying unnecessary tax. With our advice and careful planning it is possible to save considerable amounts of inheritance tax.
We have the required expertise to draft your Will. Making a Will is too important to leave to do-it-yourself forms from the stationers. We are impartial and independent and put the interests of our clients above all.
When making a Will you should also consider granting a Power of Attorney. This is a document that empowers your chosen attorney(s) to handle your affairs in certain circumstances, particularly in the event of physical or mental incapacity. This is another vital step to be taken to ensure that your assets are handled in the right way, in this case whilst you are living but unable to deal with things yourself.
We have prepared our own Practical Guide to making Your Will and you can read this or download it from this page. If you complete this and send it to us we can use it as the basis for preparing your Will.
To view this PDF file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader, click on the icon to download a free copy from the Adobe Web Site.
Otherwise, if you are interested in advice on wills, trusts or powers of attorney please email us with your contact details and we will contact you by phone for a discussion without obligation.
