hegarty.co.uk/wills
Wills, Trusts and Probate
Hard to tackle issues are often only first considered when someone close to us becomes vulnerable or passes away, but a little careful planning can help to make sure your hard earned assets are protected for future generations and your wishes are carried out. We can help you manage many of these concerns. Our highly experienced team can discuss all aspects of estate or asset protection and later-life decision making issues sensitively and confidentially with you.
We recognise that few people are comfortable talking about later life or post-death matters. Decisions about how care home fees should be met, who should inherit a property, or how shares should be passed on can be easily put aside. We can help you focus on the practicalities, ensuring that what is yours is dealt with efficiently so that the maximum value is retained and your wishes are carried out.
Making a Will is the first step towards your estate (your possessions and debts) being properly dealt with. Our solicitors do not just formalise wishes in a legal document, although a well-drafted will is crucial. We also advise you on the best way of disposing of your assets. Inheritance Tax plays an important part and, with the insight and support of our wealth management experts, we can help you minimise the liabilities taken on by future generations. We offer an online service for making straightforward Wills which means a visit to the office is unnecessary. For more information about this service visit our Wills page here.
We are also experienced in situations in which a client is unable (through mental incapacity for example) to make decisions about their health and welfare, finances and property. We can help you to plan for the future by putting a suitable Lasting Power of Attorney in place which lets you appoint someone to make decisions on your behalf. If a loved one is incapacitated and no Lasting Power of Attorney is in place, we can make an application to the Court of Protection to allow you to act as their deputy and make decisions on their behalf or even to have a Statutory Will drawn up for them.
Our solicitors are also here to support you through the loss of a loved one and will guide you through the process of Probate and Estate Administration. Dealing with the death of a loved one can be the most difficult period in any person’s life. When it comes to handling the formalities around that, our support can lessen the load.
Many of our solicitors are full or student members of:
- The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
- Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and / or
- The Private Client Section of the Law Society.
