Wills and Trusts

We recommend that everyone should have a Will to ensure that their assets pass to those they care for.  People often make assumptions about who will inherit their estate and often these assumptions can be wrong.  This can result in prolonged administration and assets being distributed to people and/or in proportions you would not have wished.

A well-drafted Will can ensure with absolute clarity who is to benefit and how.  This will make matters easier to administer, minimise the inheritance tax payable and avoid family disagreements.  Depending upon your circumstances it also affords the opportunity to appoint guardians for your children and trustees to administer any funds for your children.  It is not an expensive exercise and we offer a service for drafting straightforward Wills at £95.00 plus vat (couples £175.00 plus vat) which includes free registration of your Will on the National Wills register run by Certainty (visit www.certainty.co.uk for further details).

For more complex Wills including Inheritance Tax and estate planning, or for a home visit please contact Richard Frost on Richard@ejwinter.co.uk or on 0118 957 4424.

Probate

When someone dies with or without a Will someone is required to administer their estate at what can be a very difficult time.  We can provide a full administration service, advising the personal representatives (those appointed to administer the estate) on their duties, responsibilities and liabilities.  We can ensure all the assets are collected, all tax issues addressed and the estate is distributed in accordance with the Will or intestacy rules.

We will prepare all papers necessary to obtain a Grant of Probate, and consider inheritance tax issues where necessary including advise on possible tax saving action which can be taken (including the preparation of a Deed of Variation as appropriate).

We appreciate that at such a difficult time members of the family do not want matters to take an overly long time so we endeavour to progress the administration as quickly as circumstances permit avoiding any undue or unnecessary delays.  We explain all steps necessary in a full clear and precise manner and address any other particular concerns that people have as we appreciate each case is individual and needs addressing as such.

For more information please contact Richard Frost at richard@ejwinter.co.uk or on 01189 574 424.