Probate, Wills & Personal Planning

There are a number of services we can help you with, which you will find below.

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Probate & Estate Administration
Vector art of red nib of fountain pen
Wills
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Lasting Powers of Attorney
Vector art of red courts of law
The Court of Protection
Vector art of red law textbook
Probate & Estate Administration
Vector art of red nib of fountain pen
Wills
Vector art of red legal scales of justice
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Vector art of red courts of law
The Court of Protection
Make an Enquiry

PROBATE & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

We can assist with the complexities of estate administration whether you are the Executor of a Will or someone close to you has died without a Will.  We appreciate that bereavement is a difficult time and will deal with your matter with sensitivity and compassion.

If the deceased left a Will, this determines how the assets will be dealt with. If there is no valid Will this situation is referred to as dying intestate and the intestacy rules determine how assets are distributed.

While it is possible for Executors to do this alone, often it can become difficult and Inheritance Tax issues complicated.

We can assist you with:

  • Preparing the appropriate tax return and the application for the Grant of Probate / Letters of Administration (as appropriate)
  • Claim assets and pay any debts or liabilities
  • Ensure assets are distributed in accordance with the Will or intestacy rules
  • Advise on any trusts arising under the Will or intestacy rules
  • Advise on whether a Deed of Variation is appropriate

For more information about the services that we provide and how we can assist you, please contact us on +44 (0) 1342 311255 or by email enquiries@masonandbeer.com or click here to find details of our likely fees for assisting you.

Lots of shelves in a library with old looking law books
Lots of shelves in a library with old looking law books

PROBATE & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

We can assist with the complexities of estate administration whether you are the Executor of a Will or someone close to you has died without a Will.  We appreciate that bereavement is a difficult time and will deal with your matter with sensitivity and compassion.

If the deceased left a Will, this determines how the assets will be dealt with. If there is no valid Will this situation is referred to as dying intestate and the intestacy rules determine how assets are distributed.

While it is possible for Executors to do this alone, often it can become difficult and Inheritance Tax issues complicated.

We can assist you with:

  • Preparing the appropriate tax return and the application for the Grant of Probate / Letters of Administration (as appropriate)
  • Claim assets and pay any debts or liabilities
  • Ensure assets are distributed in accordance with the Will or intestacy rules
  • Advise on any trusts arising under the Will or intestacy rules
  • Advise on whether a Deed of Variation is appropriate

For more information about the services that we provide and how we can assist you, please contact us on +44 (0) 1342 311255 or by email enquiries@masonandbeer.com or click here to find details of our likely fees for assisting you.

Wooden blocks spelling out LAST WILL

WILLS

Advance planning is the best way to ensure that upon your death your assets pass as you would like them to and makes things simpler for those close to you.

A Will sets out who will benefit from your assets after your death.  Though often left until older years, it is important for most adults to make a Will. There are many good reasons for making a Will including:

  • You choose who benefits from your assets after your death
  • You can appoint Executors who will ensure your wishes are carried out after your death and Trustees of any trusts arising under your will (for example in favour of any children)
  • You can appoint guardians to care for your children in the event that you pass away while they are under the age of 18 years
  • To ensure children from previous relationships are provided for
  • To provide for a partner if you are not married or in a civil partnership
  • You can obtain some Inheritance Tax advice

You should review your Will every couple of years and consider revising your Will if significant life events occur such as:

  • the birth of a child or grandchild
  • the admission of a close relative to a care home
  • on divorce, dissolution of civil partnership or separation
  • the death of a beneficiary
  • marriage/civil partnership

Marriage or civil partnership automatically revokes any Will that you have previously made unless made in contemplation of the marriage or civil partnership.

For more information about the services that we provide and how we can assist you, please contact us on +44 (0) 1342 311255 or by email enquiries@masonandbeer.com.

Wooden blocks spelling out LAST WILL

WILLS

Advance planning is the best way to ensure that upon your death your assets pass as you would like them to and makes things simpler for those close to you.

A Will sets out who will benefit from your assets after your death.  Though often left until older years, it is important for most adults to make a Will. There are many good reasons for making a Will including:

  • You choose who benefits from your assets after your death
  • You can appoint Executors who will ensure your wishes are carried out after your death and Trustees of any trusts arising under your will (for example in favour of any children)
  • You can appoint guardians to care for your children in the event that you pass away while they are under the age of 18 years
  • To ensure children from previous relationships are provided for
  • To provide for a partner if you are not married or in a civil partnership
  • You can obtain some Inheritance Tax advice

You should review your Will every couple of years and consider revising your Will if significant life events occur such as:

  • the birth of a child or grandchild
  • the admission of a close relative to a care home
  • on divorce, dissolution of civil partnership or separation
  • the death of a beneficiary
  • marriage/civil partnership

Marriage or civil partnership automatically revokes any Will that you have previously made unless made in contemplation of the marriage or civil partnership.

For more information about the services that we provide and how we can assist you, please contact us on +44 (0) 1342 311255 or by email enquiries@masonandbeer.com.

LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) allow you (the Donor) to appoint attorneys to assist you when you no longer have capacity to manage your affairs or make decisions for yourself.

There are two types of LPA:

  1. Property and Financial Affairs. This LPA covers your finances and enables your chosen attorneys to assist you in matters such as managing your bank accounts, paying bills, buying or selling property, managing investments, carry on a business and accessing financial and property information
  2. Health and Welfare. This type of LPA enables your attorneys to assist in personal matters such as medical and personal issues

There are occasions when the lack of an LPA can cause distress, create problems and necessitate an application to the Court of protection which can be time consuming and expensive.

Once created, LPAs must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can be used.  Once registered, the Property and Financial Affairs LPA can be used straight away (with your consent and direction whilst you retain mental capacity); the Health and Welfare LPA can only be used once you have lost capacity and you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself.

For more information about the services that we provide and how we can assist you, please contact us on +44 (0) 1342 311255 or by email enquiries@masonandbeer.com.

Marble bust of philosopher with old law books on shelves in the background
Marble bust of philosopher with old law books on shelves in the background

LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) allow you (the Donor) to appoint attorneys to assist you when you no longer have capacity to manage your affairs or make decisions for yourself.

There are two types of LPA:

  1. Property and Financial Affairs. This LPA covers your finances and enables your chosen attorneys to assist you in matters such as managing your bank accounts, paying bills, buying or selling property, managing investments, carry on a business and accessing financial and property information
  2. Health and Welfare. This type of LPA enables your attorneys to assist in personal matters such as medical and personal issues

There are occasions when the lack of an LPA can cause distress, create problems and necessitate an application to the Court of protection which can be time consuming and expensive.

Once created, LPAs must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can be used.  Once registered, the Property and Financial Affairs LPA can be used straight away (with your consent and direction whilst you retain mental capacity); the Health and Welfare LPA can only be used once you have lost capacity and you are no longer able to make decisions for yourself.

For more information about the services that we provide and how we can assist you, please contact us on +44 (0) 1342 311255 or by email enquiries@masonandbeer.com.

Wooden carved chess pieces shaped like military figures

THE COURT OF PROTECTION

If a relative or loved one has lost mental capacity and does not have a valid Lasting Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney in place, it may be necessary to appoint someone to manage their affairs.  This person is known as a deputy.

In order to appoint a deputy an application must be made to the Court of Protection.

A deputy can be appointed to deal with a person’s financial affairs or decisions about their health and welfare, or both; though in practice it is quite rare for a health and welfare deputyship to be granted.

For more information about the services that we provide and how we can assist you, please contact us on +44 (0) 1342 311255 or by email enquiries@masonandbeer.com.

Wooden carved chess pieces shaped like military figures

THE COURT OF PROTECTION

If a relative or loved one has lost mental capacity and does not have a valid Lasting Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney in place, it may be necessary to appoint someone to manage their affairs.  This person is known as a deputy.

In order to appoint a deputy an application must be made to the Court of Protection.

A deputy can be appointed to deal with a person’s financial affairs or decisions about their health and welfare, or both; though in practice it is quite rare for a health and welfare deputyship to be granted.

For more information about the services that we provide and how we can assist you, please contact us on +44 (0) 1342 311255 or by email enquiries@masonandbeer.com.