Manchester Wills & Probate Solicitors

Who should make a Will?

If you care about what happens to your property after you die then you should make a Will.   Without one the current rules (referred to as intestacy) dictates who inherits what. ie. You're friends, relatives, preferred charities may get nothing.

If you're not married or are not in a registered civil partnership it's particularly important to write a Will. This is because the law does not automatically recognise cohabitants (partners who live together) as having the same rights as husbands, wives and civil partners. Hence even if you've lived together for many years your cohabitant may be left with nothing if you haven't made a Will.

A Will is also vital if you have children or dependents who may not be able to care for themselves.   Without a Will there could be uncertainty about who will look after or provide for them if you die.    

You should also consider taking legal advice about making a Will if;

• Several people could make a claim on your estate when you die because they depend on you financially.
• You want to include a trust in your Will (to save tax, or simply protect your assets).
• Your permanent home is not in the UK or you are not a British citizen.
• You live here but you have overseas property.
• You own all or part of a business.

Once you have had a Will drawn up, some changes to your circumstances (for example, marriage, civil partnership, separation, divorce or if your civil partnership is dissolved) can make all or part of that Will invalid or inadequate.  

This means that you must review your Will regularly, to reflect any major life changes. .. and that's how we can help.

In straight forward English it could be said that a Will keeps matters "tidy" upon your untimely demise. You decide who gets what. The State can't force matters. Those you care about are looked after according to your wishes. 

Probate

Probate covers the details of the administration of the "assets and liabilities" after someone has died.  

If you have to deal with the death of someone who is close to you then it is our intention to provide specialist help whilst understanding that it's a difficult period. 

We will deal with the following:-

 List the assets and liabilities.

 Check if there is a Will or not.

 Calculate any Inheritance Tax payable.

 Deal with all the institutions that are asset holders.

 Deal with any property issues.

 Apply to the Probate Court for what is called a "Grant". If there is a Will this will mean Probate or if there isn't a Will this mean Letters of Administration. 

 Deal with HM Revenue & Customs in relation to any final Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax liabilities.

 Deal with the Beneficiaries. 

 Collect in the final monies to distribute the necessary funds to the Beneficiaries after preparing Estate Accounts.

In the event that you are not local to ourselves that's not a problem. We have many clients in Manchester but we also deal with clients much farther afield. We can deal with matters by telephone, email and letters.

Dealing with Probate can be an unpleasant task for family members and that's where we come in. We'll act in a professional, respectful manner and deal with the situation on your behalf.

Please contact us for further details.  

Wills & Probate Solicitors

Manchester

Tel: 0845 603 0708