Abensons Solicitors

Wills Trust and Probate

1. Have you made a Will?

Without one, the law dictates how your assets will be distributed on the occasion of your death. This could lead to estranged relatives inheriting your wealth rather than those closest to you.

A Will ensures that your wishes are carried out (and that unncecessary tax is not paid - see below).

Please read our leaflet - Making a Will - for further information.

2. Have you thought about inheritance Tax?

Inheritance Tax applies on death. It is charged at 40% on Estates over £300,000*. New figures show that more Britons than ever before hold estates worth more than this.

A simple and popular form of Inheritance Tax planning is by the use of a tax-efficient Will. We would urge you to read our leaflet - Tax-Efficient Wills - as this could save your Estate as much as £120,000 in tax!

There is some rather adventurous Inheritance Tax Planning available today and this does not come without risk. This firm's advice is to keep things simple.

3. Have you made an Enduring Power of Attorney?

Without having made this document if you were to lose mental capacity through old age, a stroke, an accident, etc. your affairs would be managed by a Court Official rather than by a person of your choice. This often adds stress to an already difficult time.

More information can be found in our leaflet - Enduring Powers of Attorney.

4. Someone has died - what do I do?

Following someone's death there is usually a lot of action required to put their affairs in order, including the collection of their assets, the payment of their debts and funeral expenses and distributing the balance of the estate according to any Will they left or, in the absence of such, according to rules prescribed by the law. All of this action is referred to as 'probate'.

Please read more about Probate in our leaflet - Understanding Probate.


To discover more about the services available please contact :
Mr John Howell on howellj@abensons.co.uk or
Mr Edward Abenson on abensone@abensons.co.uk