Wills & Probate
Probate
Thank you for taking the time to look at our probate services. Coping with a loss can bring up a range of emotions, and dealing with the legal aspects of a death can be daunting and complicated. Having caring, skilled legal counsel can make a huge difference in how difficult this circumstance is for you and your loved ones.
At Stonewood Lawyers we tailor our service to meet your specific requirements. We can then take you through the full estate administration process or provide advise on certain areas of the process that you find difficult or complex.
What appears to be a difficult process can be broken down into smaller, more achievable chores. Our goal is for you to feel less overwhelmed and for the administration of your loved one's estate to go as quickly and easily as possible.
You are not required to hire a solicitor to handle the administration of your loved one's estate, but if you do, we can assist you.
The requirement for a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Administration is mostly determined by whether or not your loved one left a Will and what assets they owned. It's crucial to remember that a Grant isn't required in every situation.
Our professional fees are calculated using our hourly rates and the quantity of work we complete. We do not charge a percentage of the value of the estate of your loved one.
Wills
We live in a time where the majority of the population is better off than past generations, and the majority will die with some possessions.
Even if you don't have much, a Will ensures that any specific intentions you have concerning your home, money, or possessions are carried out efficiently and according to your wishes. This will help your grieving relatives and friends avoid unneeded issues.
While you may be tempted to write a "do it yourself" Will or hire someone who isn't a licenced solicitor, the rules and regulations governing wills are highly complicated. There are innumerable traps for the unwary — these are a few of them.
Every year, a large number of cases wind up in court because wills that have been made incorrectly are legally void. We can provide you peace of mind by ensuring that your Will is correctly designed and legally enforced with our assistance.
The most typical mistakes committed by those with a "do it yourself" mentality are the following:
Not knowing the exact requirements for completing and signing the paper
Failing to include directions on how to re-distribute assets if a beneficiary passes away
Tampering with a Will after it has been executed
Ignoring the fact that relationships change throughout time, such as marriages, divorces, births, and civil partnerships
After you have children, you should think about appointing a Guardian to look after them if you pass away.
Making a Will Amendment
You should check your Will on a frequent basis to verify that it still reflects your wishes, especially if your circumstances have changed. You can always change your Will, but you must adhere to the legal requirements.
Appointment of Executors are named in a will and are in charge of carrying out the deceased's intentions. It is their responsibility to collect all assets in line with the law, pay all debts, and then transfer the net assets to the beneficiaries. Frequently, executors will appoint a solicitor to function as their executor.
Please contact us if you have any queries. We can schedule a meeting to talk about your situation. Our team of lawyers will then prepare a report outlining your options and making recommendations for the best approach. The solution will be tailored to your personal preferences. At Stonewood Lawyers it is critical we find the perfect fit for you.