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Wills & Trusts

We have an experienced team of solicitors who are on hand to help with every aspect of planning your estate - whilst no one wants to think of their mortality a Will is an essential document that everyone over the age of 18 should have.

When you make a Will you ensure that your wishes will be carried out to the letter and that your estate passes to your intended inheritors and not those determined by strict intestacy laws. If you have no Will and die ‘intestate’ your estate is distributed in accordance with the law and the State steps in.

Unfortunately, many people assume their spouse or partner will automatically inherit their estate, this is not necessarily the case and often family members are left with a larger than necessary tax bill.

A professionally drawn Will can also help to avoid costly disputes which can eat into the inheritance of family and friends.

A Will is of course a legal document and it is always recommended that you seek the advice of a solicitor in preparing it – when surveyed 80% of people want a face to face meeting with a trusted adviser, whereas only 4% would be happy to make a Will online.

If you marry, have remarried, have surviving children, are in a civil partnership, or are a single person with no close relatives, it is all the more pressing that a Will is made.

We would also recommend that an existing Will is reviewed by a solicitor every 5 years, or if any major changes have happened to your personal circumstances, wishes, executors or inheritors. Divorce and remarriage, children, grandchildren, a change in your affairs and relationships can all necessitate changes in your Will.

A carefully drafted tax-efficient Will also minimises Inheritance Tax which is not only a massive tax but also a very avoidable one. Trusts can also play an important part in this strategy.

As an added benefit to our Will clients we provide a free Wills storage facility.

If you would like information on writing a Will, reviewing an existing Will, creating a Trust, or any issue that affects your estate, please call our team of helpful solicitors on 0161 785 3500.

Sarah Finnigan