Wills
Preparing a Will can be daunting, and the considerations and discussions involved, are not always easy. With around only half of adults having a valid Will in place, and blended families increasing, planning what should happen after your death is as important as ever.
At Nicholls Solicitors, you can approach us for practical, valuable advice shaped to your unique situation. Preparing a Will that ensures your assets pass in line with your wishes will give you peace of mind.
If you pass away without a Will this could mean that your loved ones do not receive what you would want them to from your estate. Even if you have a Will, it is advisable that this is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to reflect your wishes.
Probate
Dealing with administering complex estates at an already difficult and upsetting time can often feel overwhelming. At Nicholls Solicitors, we want to take that burden away and help you to deal with the estate as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. It can be complicated, especially, when different types of assets such as property, investments, and shareholdings are in question.
We can take this burden away from your loved ones by assisting with obtaining the grant of Probate and administering the estate. We do this with reference to the time spent dealing with your estate, no matter the size of your assets.
Lasting Power of Attorney
Lasting Powers of Attorney allow you to appoint someone to act on your behalf if you lose the capacity to make your own decisions. It can be something that people often put to the back of their minds, but it is important that this is put in place before there is even any question over capacity. When someone has lost capacity to make decisions it is too late- this can result in costly and complicated issues for their loves ones to deal with.
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney to consider (1) Property and Financial Affairs and (2) Health and Welfare. These ensure your preferences for medical treatment and ongoing care are considered if you become unable to make decisions for yourself.
At Nicholls Solicitors we can assist you with preparing the Lasting Power of Attorney and registering the same with the Office of Public Guardian.
Some of our
frequently asked questions
Here are some commonly asked questions which may help you to decide on a way forward.
What information do you need when making a Will?
We appreciate that you may want advice on how best to approach your estate planning but at the outset it is helpful to have an idea of the approximate value of your Estate (including assets and debts), the details of who you wish for your Estate to be divided between (the beneficiaries), who you would want to administer your estate (the ‘executors’)
If I haven’t made a Will what would happen to my estate?
The law would decide how the Estate of the deceased is divided, meaning who you intended to receive certain assets may not. This is called ‘intestacy’ and your estate would be divided in accordance with the laws on intestacy.
How long does probate take?
This is dependent on each matter, although usually it takes between 6 and 12 months.
Can lasting power of attorney be revoked?
You can end your Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) yourself – if you have the mental capacity to make that decision.
What can an attorney do once an Lasting Power of Attorney is done?
Depending on the content of your LPA, the attorneys can make decisions on the donor’s behalf providing the attorney is acting in the best interests of the donor and taking reasonable care when making decisions. It is possible to place conditions on the decisions that can be made or require two attorneys to always act in agreement for example.
How we can help you
We know that your situation is unique so please contact us to discuss your own specific needs.
“A fantastic, professional and friendly team who are always there to answer any questions you may have”
KevinSouth Manchester
We have acted for clients in dealing with their personal affairs and administering estates for many years. Please contact us to find out more.
