Making A Will
No one likes to think about their death and what they’d want to happen to their assets. Sadly, dying without a properly drawn up Will can cause a great deal of wasted time, unnecessary expense and heartache, as well as hassle from disputes that could easily be avoided. And there are the potential inheritance tax implications to consider, too.
Our service takes you through all the relevant things you need to think about as well as drawing up a will that really reflects your wishes. We can help whether you need a single will for a modest estate, or if your affairs are more complex with both personal and business assets to consider.
Many people avoid paying for a will by using other methods, but often this can be a false economy – Please feel free to call Alfred James & Co Solicitors LLP today to book an appointment.
Probate
When a loved one dies it is often difficult to know where to turn for advice. Sorting out someone’s estate by yourself, also called going through probate, can be very daunting.
Alfred James & Co Solicitors LLP have been established probate solicitors in South Croydon for over 20 years. We have been helping clients throughout Croydon, Surrey and beyond by providing expert assistance when they need it most.
We are happy to give you legal advice to explain what is involved in administering an estate and the first steps that you need to take.
What is “Probate”?
The legal process for dealing with the estate of a person who has died is known as “probate”. The probate process differs depending on whether the deceased person left a will or whether he or she died without one.
If there is a will then the executors named in that will are responsible for administering the estate.
What if someone dies without a will?
If there is no will then the person(s) entitled to administer the estate is determined in accordance with a legal order of priority. The Intestacy Rules will apply to this situation.
The Intestacy Rules change ever so often, and so it is very important that you have good, up to date, legal advice if a loved one has died without leaving a will. The longer you leave it, the more difficult it can be to sort out someone’s estate after they have died.
What needs to be done after someone dies?
The “estate” is the name give to the property and other belongings, including any cash in the bank, owned by the person who has died.
Dealing with an estate can prove time consuming and complex. The assets and liabilities of the estate need to be ascertained and valued and sometimes expert assistance is needed to do this.
There may be inheritance tax to pay and sometimes it is necessary to set up a trust, whether this is for a young or vulnerable person or for beneficiaries named in a trust created by will.
Who is an Executor?
An “executor” is the person named in a will, (and can be a friend, family member, or a solicitor – or a combination of these), whose job it is to sort out the estate of the deceased person.
How We Can Help You
At Alfred James & Co Solicitors LLP, we act as both professional executors (appointed by the person who has died, in their will) and on behalf of other executors appointed in a will (or persons entitled to administer an estate where there is no will). This can take the stress and worry away from the executors and other family members so that they can grieve in their own way.
We pride ourselves on administering estates quickly and efficiently and we recognise how it is often very important for a deceased person’s loved ones to close this chapter of their lives.
If you need a probate solicitor in Surrey or South London, or if you just want to discuss sorting out the affairs of someone who has died, we can help.
OUR SERVICES & PRICING
Please click the link below to read our pricing structure and more about our Services:
Probate – Pricing
Drafting of a Single Will – £180 + VAT
Drafting of a Mirror Will – £300 + VAT
For any other type of matter, please kindly give us a call to discuss how much our fees will be.