Businesses whose premises are compulsorily acquired are entitled to compensation for loss of...
Making a Will, helping a loved one manage their affairs or dealing with the estate of someone who has passed away can be difficult. There are legal processes to deal with as well as the emotional impact, and it is not always clear what needs to be done first.
At Hains & Lewis, our wills solicitors and probate solicitors provide clear and practical advice to help you deal with these matters with confidence, supported by our wider legal services.
We act for clients at different stages. Some are planning ahead and want to ensure everything is in place. Others come to us after a bereavement and need help managing the estate. In both cases, our role is to explain what is required, deal with the legal work and keep things as straightforward as possible.
Wills and lifetime planning solicitors
Our Private Client Department advises on all aspects of planning for the future, including preparing Wills, setting up Lasting Powers of Attorney and dealing with applications for Deputyship.
When making a Will, we will take the time to understand your circumstances, including your assets, family situation and how you would like your estate to be divided. Your Will can then be prepared clearly and accurately so that your wishes are properly recorded.
Putting a Will in place can help avoid uncertainty later on. It can also reduce the likelihood of disagreements between family members and limit the need for future dispute resolution.
We also assist clients who need to update an existing Will, for example following changes in personal circumstances or financial position.
Inheritance tax planning
Inheritance tax can affect the value of your estate if it is not considered in advance.
As an inheritance solicitor, we can advise on how inheritance tax applies and what steps may be taken to reduce its impact. This may include making use of available allowances, planning lifetime gifts or considering the use of trusts where appropriate.
We will explain these options in a clear and practical way so that you can decide what is right for your situation. Careful planning can help ensure that more of your estate is passed on to your intended beneficiaries.
Lasting Powers of Attorney and capacity planning
Planning for the possibility of losing capacity is not always easy, but putting arrangements in place early can make a significant difference.
We can advise on creating and registering Lasting Powers of Attorney so that someone you trust is able to make decisions on your behalf if required. This can cover financial matters, property, health and welfare.
Our team regularly assists clients who want to make sure their affairs are properly managed in the future. We also have experience dealing with the Office of the Public Guardian and can guide you through the process.
Where a Lasting Power of Attorney is not in place and capacity has already been lost, it may be necessary to make an application to the Court of Protection.
Probate and estate administration solicitors
Dealing with the estate of someone who has passed away can involve a number of steps and responsibilities.
Our estate administration solicitors can guide you through the process from start to finish. Our probate solicitors can assist whether there is a valid Will in place or where the estate is dealt with under the intestacy rules.
This may include identifying and valuing assets, settling any debts, dealing with tax matters and distributing the estate to beneficiaries. We will explain what needs to be done and handle the legal work where required.
Our aim is to make the process as manageable as possible at what is often a difficult time.
Court of Protection and deputyship
If a person has lost the capacity to manage their affairs and there is no power of attorney in place, it may be necessary to apply to the Court of Protection.
We can assist with deputyship applications and advise you on your responsibilities once appointed. This can include managing finances, dealing with property and making decisions about care.
There may also be occasions where further applications to the Court are required, for example in relation to a statutory Will.
These matters can be complex, particularly for family members who are already dealing with a difficult situation. We aim to explain the process clearly and deal with the legal requirements so that you are supported throughout.
Legal fees can vary depending on the nature of the application. Although the Court of Protection provides guideline figures, these are often under-estimated. If you contact us with details of your situation and the assets involved, we can provide a more accurate estimate.
In addition to legal fees, there may be other costs such as medical reports and court application fees. These are usually payable from the individual’s assets.
Legal fees
We understand the importance of knowing where you stand on costs.
We offer some services on a fixed fee basis, including straightforward Wills and routine probate matters. This provides certainty over the cost involved and allows you to plan ahead with confidence.
For more complex matters, we usually charge based on an agreed hourly rate. All work will be discussed in advance and we will keep you updated as matters progress, so that you remain in control of costs.
At the outset, we will explain how fees are calculated and provide an estimate based on the information available at that time. Where matters develop or become more complex, we will keep you informed and discuss any changes with you before further work is carried out.
We will also explain any additional costs that may arise, such as court fees, valuation fees or other disbursements, so that there are no unexpected charges. Our aim is to ensure that costs are clear from the beginning and remain transparent throughout.
Contact our Wills and estate administration solicitors in West Wales
If you would like to speak to someone about making a Will, dealing with an estate or putting arrangements in place for the future, our team can help.
To arrange an initial consultation with our approachable, expert Wills and estate administration solicitors in Southwest Wales, please contact your local Hains & Lewis office in Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Narberth and Cardigan.
We can talk through your situation, explain the options available and outline the next steps so you know what to expect.