Wills & Probate
It is a popular misconception that when someone dies their loved ones will automatically inherit. Instead there are rules that determine inheritance in the absence of a Will. Under these intestacy rules even a surviving husband or wife may not inherit the whole estate.
Making a Will not only helps provide for your family's future but allows you to specify exactly where you want your money and possessions to go.
If you have children under 18, a Will can incorporate financial arrangements over and above those provided by the intestacy rules, for example trusts can be created and guardians appointed.
Making a Will also allows you to minimise the Tax payable on your death, which is essential for those who own property.
The cost of making a Will is slight in comparison to the benefits and savings you and your family can make. In the majority of cases Harland & Co. offer fixed fees for preparing Wills of a straightforward nature.
Harland & Co. offer a broad range of related private client services including:-
- Wills
- Trusts
- Tax planning
- Probate and estate administration
- Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection
Contested Probate
Harland & Co. will also advise you about claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975. If you are a person, such as a spouse or a relative of the deceased, and you were in some way financially dependent on the deceased, but no financial provision has been made within the Will, we can help you to make a claim against the estate for maintenance, lump sum or other remedy.
Harland & Co. can also assist you to contest a Will where you have evidence that shows the Will was invalid. A Will might be invalid if the deceased Testator did not have the mental capacity to make a Will at the time the document was executed; it did not comply with the rules for the execution of Wills; the Testator did not know of the Will and approve its content; or its execution was procured by some act of fraud or the exertion of undue influence upon the Testator.
Such claims can be pursued on a no-win, no-fee basis, so it is worth contacting Harland & Co. to check whether you have a claim.