Estate Planning

We willl help you through the various stages and work hand in hand with your financial advisors.

- Planning for your old age
- When there's a Will
- Tax advice
- Trusts
- Power of Attorney
- Court of Protection Deputyship

- Living Wills
- Disputes involving Wills and Trusts

Planning for your old age
Hughes Paddison has developed a range of services to meet the needs of elderly clients or those with elderly relatives. Home visits may be arranged and we place great important on the establishment of a good relationship between client and solicitor. We can if required take over the complete administration of a client’s financial affairs.

When there's a Will
If you die without a Will the law decides how your property is to be divided amongst members of your family and in some cases, to the Crown. It also decides who will administer your estate. Making a Will is a straightforward process for most people and it will ensure your estate is dealt with and received by the people of your choice.

Tax advice
We can advise you on Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax consequences of your Will or lifetime gifting and planning and can offer or direct you to specialist advice as required.

Trusts
Trusts are a useful vehicle in tax planning or the administration of funds for children, for those with disabilities and for others. We can advise you on when to use them, how they work and the cost of administration, and can prepare them for you.

Power of Attorney
Formal authority to handle another’s affairs can be arranged by power of attorney.   We can explain and prepare the different types of powers of attorney including Lasting Powers of Attorney which can cover financial or health and welfare issues. Powers of Attorney are a useful tool but care is needed.

We can also advise donors and donees on their rights and responsibilities.

Court of Protection Deputyship
For those who are unable to manage their affairs the Court of Protection appoints a Deputy (formerly known as a Receiver) to do so. Where there is no family we can act as Attorney or Deputy

Living Wills
If you wish we can advise you on living Wills which include medical treatment directives.  Personal Welfare Lasting Powers of Attorney can sometimes be a more appropriate alternative.

Disputes Involving Wills and Trusts

This is a growing area of law.  Generally people can leave their assets to whoever they wish but if they do not adequately provide for those they look after during their lives it may lead to a claim.  We have wide experience, both in bringing claims and defending them, and also in acting in disputes betweeen executors, trustees and beneficiaries.