Expert Wills, Trust & Probate Solicitors to Protect Your Legacy
Wills
A Will is one of the most important legal documents you can create to ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. Without a valid Will in place, your estate will be distributed according to the UK’s Intestacy Rules, which may not reflect your intentions.
At A L Law Associates, our experienced Wills solicitors provide expert guidance to help you draft a Will that protects your assets and ensures your loved ones are cared for. We take the time to understand your unique circumstances and ensure your wishes are clearly documented.
Here is why having a Will drafted is essential:
1 – Control Over Asset Distribution
A Will allows you to decide who inherits your money, property and possessions. Without one, your estate is divided based on the law, which may exclude people you would like to inherit and include the people you do not wish to include within your Will.
2 – Appoint Executors
You can name trusted individuals as executors to manage your estate, ensuring everything is handled according to your wishes.
3 – Protect Children
A Will lets you appoint guardians for your minor children, giving you peace of mind about their future care.
4 – Avoid Family Disputes
Clearly outlining your wishes reduces the risk of disagreements among your loved ones and prevents legal disputes over your estate.
5 – Inheritance Tax Planning
A well-drafted Will can include strategies to minimise inheritance tax, helping to preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.
What Happens When There Is No Will?
If you die intestate (die without a Will), the intestacy rules will determine who inherits. This process could leave out important people in your life and result in delays or additional costs for your family.
How Much Do We Charge for the drafting of Wills?
| Fee | |
|---|---|
| Single Will | £300.00 + VAT |
| Mirror Wills | £500.00 + VAT |
Get Started Today
Making a Will is a straightforward process with the help of a Solicitor. It ensures your loved ones are provided for and your estate is managed exactly as you intend. A L Law Associates are here to provide expert guidance and support, ensuring your family’s future is secure.
As renowned Wills and probate solicitors in Harrow, we are happy to offer advice to clients. You can make a Will any time after you are 18 years old, and some life events commonly incite the preparation of a Will, such as:
- Becoming financially independent from parents or carers
- Buying a property
- Getting married
- Having children
- Getting re-married
- A terminal illness
Although you can draft a Will yourself, there are risks associated with DIY Wills. As such, it is generally recommended that you have a solicitor professionally draft the Will on your behalf to ensure it is valid and indisputable.
We would advise that you review an existing Will every five years to keep it in line with any changes in your family circumstances and changes in taxation laws.
Charities Collaboration
At A L Law Associates, we are proud to collaborate with the Alzheimer’s Society and St Luke’s Hospice to assist in drafting Wills for our elderly clients. As supporters of these charities, we are committed to helping individuals secure their legacies while supporting vital community work. For more information, please visit their websites below:
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/make-donation/leave-gift-your-will
https://www.stlukes-hospice.org/supporting-us/make-a-will-free/
Don’t leave it to chance – plan for the future today call us for a free 20-minute consultation.
Trusts
Our team of expert trust solicitors provides comprehensive services for establishing and managing trusts tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re planning for future generations or safeguarding assets, our trust lawyers are here to offer clear advice and practical solutions.
We specialise in creating and administering a range of trusts, including:
- Bare Trusts
- Discretionary Trusts
- Trusts for Children
- Trusts for the Disabled and Vulnerable
Our experienced team will guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your trust is set up correctly and managed in compliance with legal requirements. Contact us today for expert support in protecting your assets and planning for the future.
Probate
The legalities involved following a death in the family can be overwhelming, it is a difficult time, and our probate lawyers, we will help you through the process.
We can guide you through probate and trust law proceedings, and explain how that person’s estate will pass (under the terms of his or her Will or the rules of intestacy) and what steps are needed for probate and tax purposes.
Our team of probate solicitors work to administer simple and complex estates for those who die domiciled in the UK or abroad. Should a claim be brought (or need to be brought) against the estate we would work closely with our litigation colleagues in the conduct of the claim.
Understanding the Probate Process
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate, ensuring that their assets are distributed according to their Will, if there is no Will, under the rules of intestacy.
When is Probate Required?
Probate is typically needed if the deceased owned property or had significant financial assets in their sole name. However, if assets were jointly owned, they may pass automatically to the surviving, under the rule of survivorship. Each bank or financial institution has its own threshold for requiring probate before releasing funds.
The Probate Process:
1. Check for a Will
If the deceased left a Will, the named executor would apply for a grant of Probate. If there is no Will, the next of kin would apply for Letters of Administration.
2. Value the Estate
The executor or administrator must identify and value all assets and liabilities, including property, savings and debts.
3. Pay Inheritance Tax (if applicable)
If the estate exceeds the tax-free threshold (£325,000 in most cases), Inheritance Tax may be due. Some exemptions and reliefs may apply.
4. Applying for Probate
An application is submitted to the Probate Registry along with necessary documents, such as the death certificate and the completed taxation forms.
5. Administering the Estate
Once the probate is granted, the executor or administrator can collect the assets, pay off debts and distribute the remaining estate according to the Will or intestacy rules.
6. Final Accounts & Distribution
A final estate account is prepared, and beneficiaries receive their inheritance.
How Long Does Probate Take?
The probate process can take several months to complete, typically between 6 to 12 months, depending on the complexity of the estate and any disputes.
If you need legal assistance with Probate, we can help you navigate the process a step at a time. Call us for a free 20-minute consultation.
Lasting Power of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that relates to a named individual and they are known as the Donor. Once registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, it authorises your chosen family or friends (Attorneys) to assist you (Donor) with your affairs during your lifetime.
As and when the LPA is needed to be used, the Attorneys must always act in your best interests and involve you in any decisions that are to be made. You would still maintain over all control over your affairs. The Attorneys are authorised to assist you with your decisions or make decisions for you when you are unable to make those decisions yourself.
Two types of Lasting Power of Attorney:
- Health and Welfare
- Property and Financial Affairs
You can choose to give your Attorneys the authority to make decisions about your property and financial affairs either when you have the mental capacity to do so or when you have lost mental capacity. However, Attorneys only make the decisions about your health and welfare when you are unable to make those decisions yourself because you have lost the mental capacity to do so.
We can provide you with advice and assistance in the preparation and registration of the necessary LPA’s so that your chosen Attorneys can deal with your affairs.