If you have gone to the trouble of drafting a will to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes after you die, then it is important to ensure that the will is legally valid. A simple mistake can undo your wishes, ...
Wills, Probate and Trusts
Delays in the probate system have hit the headlines of late, with bereaved families having to wait many months to obtain a grant of probate – a stark contrast to the 16 weeks the Government says the application should take. ...
Our wills and probate solicitors can provide bespoke advice for your high-net-worth estate and your individual family circumstances.
‘Your pets are an important part of your family, but providing for them in your will is not as straightforward as providing for other family members,’ says Georgia Chandler, an Associate Solicitor in the wills and probate team with ...
‘Many people who opt to make a home-made will do so because they think they will save money on legal fees. Unfortunately, this can lead to problems and unexpected costs later down the line for the family who may be left to unravel ...
Carrying out the duties of an executor is both a privilege and a burden. You have been tasked with ensuring that someone’s wishes are carried out after their death, and this can often be more complex and take longer than you ...
When dealing with the administration of an estate, distributing the gifts is one of the final stages. It is important that executors do not make distributions too soon, to protect themselves and the estate against debts or claims. ...
‘Trusts are typically used to preserve assets for loved ones in private client estate planning, and many trusts are fairly inactive a lot of the time,’ says Clare Ridout, an Associate in the Wills, Probate and Trusts team at MacDonald ...
If you have been asked to be an attorney for someone under their power of attorney, whether for finances or health and welfare, then they have placed their trust in you to act in their best interests at all times. This will also be the ...
‘Being an executor is an important role and a serious responsibility,’ says Georgia Chandler, an Associate in the Wills, Probate and Trusts team with MacDonald Oates LLP in Petersfield and Midhurst. ‘Even a simple estate can be more ...
Part of the success of TV shows like the BBC Antiques Roadshow is the thrill when a long-cherished family heirloom turns out to be surprisingly valuable, for example a piece of china that has been on display in the home for many years. ...
Whether the beneficiary of an estate is entitled to inherit a small personal item, a share or even the majority of the assets of the person who died, it can be a stressful time for them while they wait for probate to come through. ...
If you are an attorney for health and welfare decisions (as opposed to financial decisions), it is important to make sure that you are clear about exactly what decision making powers have been granted to you. This will ensure you can ...
‘If you have a child with a disability, you may be concerned about what will happen to them when you are no longer around,’ says Clare Ridout, an Associate Solicitor in the wills, probate and trusts team with MacDonald Oates in ...
Clare Ridout of MacDonald Oates, who is based in Petersfield, has been recognised with national accreditation for their expertise in legal support for older and vulnerable clients, their families and carers. Clare said: “I am delighted ...
The role of a deputy is similar to that of an attorney. If you are acting as an attorney, this will be because the person you are acting for specifically chose you to act and they made a document called a ‘power of attorney’ at a time ...
If you are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting with a long term partner, and thinking of making or updating your will, you may have heard the expression ‘mirror wills’ and wonder if this would be suitable for you. ‘Mirror ...
While financial assets can be divided relatively easily when settling an estate, this is not usually possible with heirlooms such as a painting, a piece of furniture or individual pieces of jewellery. Even if items are not valuable, ...
If you have been asked to act as an attorney for someone you may wonder when it will come into effect, especially if the power of attorney was made some time ago when your friend or relative was in good health. ‘There was an important ...
Probate is a term which is loosely used to cover the administration of an estate, and it has a reputation for being a lengthy process. The administration includes a number of key stages, including obtaining the grant of probate, paying ...
Royalty payments are often earned from creative activities such as writing a book or composing music, but they can also be earned from a patent or brand licensing, or from a franchise or even licensing of mineral rights. While ...
On top of the heartbreak and worry that a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness can cause, there will be a raft of concerns and uncertainties about your care and financial affairs, and it can be difficult to know exactly how to prepare ...