Wills, probate & mental capacity
From defining your wishes to discussing tax options
No one likes to think about their death and what they’d want to happen to their assets. Sadly, dying without a properly drawn will can cause a great deal of wasted time, unnecessary expense and heartache, as well as hassle from disputes that could easily be avoided. And there are the potential inheritance tax implications to consider, too.
Our service takes you through all the relevant things you need to think about as well as drawing up a will that really reflects your wishes. We can help whether you need a single will for a modest estate, or if your affairs are more complex with both personal and business assets to consider.
Many people avoid paying for a will by using other methods, but often this can be a false economy – we’d be happy to explain to you why.
Try our online tool to get you started with preparing your will.
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North, South, East or West. Wherever you are, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today for an informal chat, without obligation. We look forward to hearing from you.
Wills, probate & private client services
Making a will
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Power of attorney
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Trusts
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Wills, probate & private client news
Charlotte McGregor joins Exeter Chamber Board
Exeter Chamber held their annual general meeting at Exeter College on Monday 8th November, where two new board directors were officially appointed. Patrick Tigwell of Thomas Westcott Chartered Accountants replaces Laura Seaward as Treasurer and Wollens partner,...
Shining a light on secret and half secret trusts
The judicial decision that the will of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh be kept private for the next 90 years highlights that a will generally becomes a public document once probate has been granted, open to be read by anyone with an interest in the estate, highlighting the importance of discussing intentions to avoid later challenges to the estate and to exclude any confidential information.
Managing financial affairs under a lasting power of attorney
Making a lasting power of attorney for your finances is an important part of lifetime legal planning, especially if you have built up a portfolio of assets and investments which require regular management. While this legal authority needs to be set up well in advance...
Four new partners appointed at Wollens
Wollens are pleased to announce the appointment of four new partners who are based in multi locations across the region. The promotions are all from within the firms existing teams and each strengthen their departments structure. Chris Hart, Chief Executive said; “We...
A royal lesson in keeping things under your hat.
The judicial decision that the will of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh be kept private for the next 90 years highlights that a will generally becomes a public document once probate has been granted, open to be read by anyone with an interest in the estate, highlighting the importance of discussing intentions to avoid later challenges to the estate and to exclude any confidential information.
Wollens success at Devon & Somerset Law Society Legal Awards !
The presentation of the Devon & Somerset Law Society Legal Awards for 2020 took place last night (September 23rd) in a digital ceremony after several attempts to hold the Dinner originally planned for April 2020 were postponed for COVID reasons. Hosted by the...
Could Lasting Power of Attorneys move to digital?
A more straightforward digital system to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) could come into play, but experts say that it is vital that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect elderly and vulnerable people from abuse. In this article, we look at how the...
Probate and overseas assets
Born in Greece and educated in France and Germany before coming to the UK, at his death in April of this year Prince Philip reportedly left a multi-million-pound estate which includes assets overseas. The administration of those assets, and therefore his estate, is...
Relying on the concept of ‘next of kin’ – when is this enough?
Next of kin is a commonly used term in everyday language, yet despite its frequent use ‘next of kin’ only provides legal rights where children are concerned and, even then, only in certain circumstances. The general rule is that the parent or guardian of a child under...
Five reasons you should use a solicitor to write your will
If you are thinking about writing a will, you may have considered doing it yourself. There are many templates and tools available online, along with vast amounts of information about the law and how to go about writing your own will. However, there are significant...
