Estate planning is an important and everlasting gift you can give your family. And setting up a smooth inheritance isn't as hard as you might think.

A Will ensures your assets, property, and personal belongings are passed on according to your wishes after you die. If you have children under 18, you can name a legal guardian to care for them and manage their financial support. Without a Will, your estate is divided according to intestacy laws, meaning you won’t have control over who inherits what.  Please see our Case Studies for more information on the importance of Estate Planning.

You should have your Last Will and Testament witnessed by someone independent, aged 18 or over. They shouldn’t be related to you, live with you, or benefit from your Will. A neighbour or colleague is usually a good choice. 

 An LPA is a legal document that lets you choose someone to make decisions for you if you’re no longer able to. This might happen due to an accident or illness like dementia. The person you appoint must act in your best interests. 

Setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) helps avoid long and costly Court of Protection processes. You must make an LPA while you still have the ability to make decisions. If you lose capacity without one, your loved ones may not be able to manage your care or finances. They’d need to apply for deputyship through the Court, which can take a long time.

 A Lifetime Trust helps protect your assets while you're alive. It can shield your property from risks like third-party claims. After you pass away, the assets in the trust stay protected and can be passed on to the people you choose. 

    Probate is a legal document that lets you manage the money, property, and belongings of someone who has died. If you're named as the executor in their Will, or you're the next of kin if there's no Will, you may need to apply for probate to handle their estate. 

 Probate is needed in about half of all UK deaths, whether or not there’s a Will. Each estate must be reviewed to see if probate is required. In most cases, it’s a key step in managing someone’s money, property, and possessions after they pass away. 

 The time to get Probate depends on the estate. At the moment, courts usually issue Probate within 12 weeks of applying. Before applying, the estate’s value must be clearly understood. Many factors can affect the timeline, and on average, the full estate administration can take up to 12 months. 

 Reach out to us by phone, email, or simply fill out our Contact Us form. We’re here to help.