Wills & Probates

At P.George & Co. we aim to provide a sympathetic and caring service to our clients. Making a Will can be a momentous decision and we hope that our helpful staff will allay any fears that you might hold in this respect. Our service is realistically priced and relatively jargon free.

When sorting out the financial affairs of the recently deceased we aim to provide a sympathetic ear and to help smooth the way at a difficult time.

You can be certain that at P.George & Co. winding up an Estate will be dealt with speedily, efficiently and with the utmost discretion and care.

We provide the following services:
  • Preparation and signing of a Will
  • Preparation and the obtaining of a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration and the winding up of a deceased persons affairs
  • Financial planning and advice on lessening the burden of Inheritance and Capital Gains Taxes
  • Creation and administration of Trusts
  • Preparation and administration of Power of Attorney
  • Preparation and administration of Lasting Power of Attorney
  • Change of name
  • Application(s) to The Public Trust Office when a person has lost his/her mental abilities
Our charges start from as little as £250.00 plus VAT for the preparation of a 'Simple Will' i.e. one which is uncomplicated and does not contain any trust provisions.

Those clients requiring detailed tax advice and financial planning and/or the creation of Trusts are usually charged on a time basis (further details are available upon request).

Why make a will?
  • Intestacy (dying without having made a will)
  • Protecting your partner
  • Protecting your children
  • Protecting your relatives and friends
  • Ensuring that family heirlooms go to someone who will look after them and in turn pass them on
  • Minimising Inheritance Tax payable on your death
  • If you are self-employed making sure that your executors can deal with your business effectively following your death
Intestacy

Only about 3 out of every 10 people have made a will. There is a commonly held misapprehension that a spouse or common law partner will inherit everything. However, without a legal Will, even a spouse is not necessarily in that position.

Your children or, if you have no children, distant relatives could be entitled to a share in your estate. Without a legal Will, there could be drawn-out legal wrangles that could be both upsetting and costly.

Protecting your partner

By naming your partner as the sole or main beneficiary in your will, you can ensure that they will be protected and will not be worried by uncertainty and possible financial difficulties.

If you are in a single sex relationship, the Law makes no provision for you as such. Without a will, the surviving partner could have to embark on very costly litigation with no certainty of success.

Protecting your children

Normal financial provisions aside, you can appoint a legal guardian for minor children, you can make provision for disabled offspring (whose benefits might be affected by a legacy unless the provisions are properly drawn) and you can expand on the powers given to Executors under the general law.

Protecting your relatives and friends

You can make provision in your will for legacies either of money or things or, from the other point of view, you can make sure that money does not go to any particular relative (which it might otherwise).

Family heirlooms

You can make sure that any family heirlooms go to someone in the family who will treasure them and pass them on to the next generation.

Minimising Inheritance Tax

With estate planning such as Trusts, or the creation of life time gifts you may be able to minimise your Inheritance Tax

If you are self-employed

In your will you can give your Executors power to continue your business either with a view to selling it, winding it up or continuing it (possibly for the benefit of your partner).

We would normally advise that you give your Executors wide powers to deal with your business and sometimes it is wise also to appoint an additional "business" executor.