Private Client Wills and Probate
Our trusted Private Client Team is here to help both prepare and secure your family's legacy as well as offer support and guidance in navigating the complexities of Probate and Estate administration.
Wills
The importance of having a Will cannot be over- stated. Without having a Will, your Estate may pass to unknown family members, disliked family members, or to the Crown’s Treasury. Our Private Client Team will assist you in protecting your Estate for those you love, the beneficiaries you choose, and provide advice on the tax position to minimise the tax in your Estate.
What happens if I do not make a Will?
Probate and Estate Administration
During the emotional time following a death, our Private Client Team can provide you with sympathetic advice. If you are the person required to deal with an Estate, you will need to collect the assets, pay any debts and distribute the Estate. We can confirm whether a Grant of Probate will be needed to deal with an Estate, the tax position and any available tax relief.
Our Team can assist you where a person has died either with a Will or without a Will.
If you have begun dealing with an Estate yourself but found the process overwhelming, time-consuming or confusing then our Team can assist you in finalising the Estate Administration. We can be involved as much, or as little, as you require.
FAQs
What is Probate?
Probate is a legal document that gives the executor the authority to distribute the estate according to the will.
When is Probate required?
Probate is required if there is a property in the sole name of the deceased.
- If the estate includes solely owned assets that exceed a financial institution's threshold.
- If the estate is complicated.
- If there are doubts about the will's validity.
We can confirm whether a Grant of Probate will be needed to deal with an estate.
Do you need Probate if there is a Will?
You may need probate if there is a will, depending on the value of the estate and other factors.
Our team can assist you where a person has died either with a Will or without a Will.
Who applies for Probate?
The executor named in the will is responsible for applying for probate. The executor can be a relative, friend, solicitor, accountant, or a probate specialist.
If you are the person required to deal with an estate, you will need to collect in the assets, pay any debts and distribute the estate.
How to apply for Probate?
You can apply for probate yourself or our specialist Wills and Probate team can help.
If you have begun dealing with an estate yourself but found the process overwhelming, time- consuming or confusing then our team can assist you in finalising the estate administration.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
By preparing a Lasting Power of Attorney, you can protect yourself and those you love from financial difficulty or decisions surrounding care.
In the future, if you have a Power of Attorney but are unable to make decisions yourself, you have named trusted friends or family to help you by making those decisions on your behalf. If you do not want to name friends or family, you can name a Solicitor.
There are two types of Lasting Powers - one for Property and Financial and one for Health and Welfare. Our Private Client Team can assist you in preparing and registering the Powers at the Office of the Public Guardian.
Deputy Orders
What can you do to help someone who can no longer make decisions for themselves?
An application can be made to Court to be named as a ‘Deputy’, to assist them with their finances or their welfare. This appointment protects a person who is unable to look after themselves by allowing the Deputy or Deputies to make decisions on their behalf.
Our Private Client Team can provide you with advice on the process of applying for a Deputy Order and make the application on your behalf.
Management of Finances
If you, a friend or family member no longer feel able to manage their own finances, our Private Client Team can act on your behalf. We provide a service tailored to the individual which will include regular updates in relation to income, assets and liabilities and, where appropriate, we can assist in making applications for benefits.
Our Private Client Team
Sophie Careless-Shore heads up our Private Client Team and specialises in Wills, Powers of Attorney, Deputy Order Applications and Administration of Estates.
Barbara Sykes is an ACILEX Paralegal, and specialises in Wills, Powers of Attorney, Deputy Order Applications, LPA and COP Management, and Administration of Estates.
Pricing – Wills and Probate
Private Client Costs June 2025 Read more
