Will drafting, Powers of Attorney and Probate Services in Bishops Stortford

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Do you have a current Will that contains all your wishes?


Do you have an old Will that needs amending?


Have you made adequate and legally binding arrangements for your loved ones, should the unexpected happen?

Navigating delicate matters such as writing your will or obtaining probate require a balance of legal acumen and empathy. At Anderson Browne Solicitors, we approach these sensitive issues with the utmost care and respect, ensuring that your wishes are honoured, and your loved ones are provided for.

Our Comprehensive Wills and Probate Services

Draft and Review Wills

Writing your will is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your wishes are respected and your loved ones are provided for after your passing. At Anderson Browne Solicitors, we understand the significance of this process and will guide you through every step.

Why you Should Make a Will:

  • Ensure Your Wishes Are Honoured:
    • Specify how your assets and possessions are distributed
    • Appoint guardians for your minor children
    • Make provisions for your dependents and loved ones
  • Take Control:
    • Without a will, your estate will be distributed according to the UK’s intestacy laws, which may not reflect your wishes
    • Protect your unmarried partner, stepchildren, and other individuals who might not be recognized under intestacy rules
  • Minimise Family Disputes:
    • Clear instructions reduce the potential for misunderstandings and conflicts among your heirs
    • Provide peace of mind for your family during a difficult time
  • Tax Efficiency:
    • Proper planning can help minimise inheritance tax liabilities
    • Ensure your estate is managed in a tax-efficient manner
  • Protect Your Business:
    • Make arrangements for the continuity of your business
    • Ensure your business interests are handled according to your wishes
Click here to read more about Making a will

What Clients Say About Our Will Writing Service

At Anderson Browne Solicitors, we take pride in providing exceptional will writing services tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. This is what our clients have to say about their experience with us:

Professional and Personalized Service

"I was impressed by the professionalism and attention to detail provided by Benrina Browne. She patiently guided me through the entire will writing process with clarity and patience, ensuring all my wishes were accurately reflected in the document."

Peace of Mind

"Writing a will can be daunting, but my solicitor made it straightforward, and she was reassuring. I now have peace of mind knowing my affairs are in order."

Efficient Communication

"The process with Anderson Browne was smooth. From the initial consultation to the final signing of our Wills, they were accessible, they explained all the steps clearly, and were prompt in responding to any queries we had."

Excellent Service with Sensitivity

"What stood out to me was how easily Benrina was able to adapt the service to meet my specific needs. She listened attentively to my concerns and provided tailored solutions that fit my family’s situation perfectly. The firm was supportive throughout the entire process, ensuring I understood all implications and options available to me."

General or Ordinary Powers of Attorney

A General Power or Ordinary of Attorney is typically used for short-term or specific purposes. Key features

Scope of Authority

You can grant someone (the attorney) authority to manage your financial affairs and make decisions on your behalf for a specific period or purpose. For example, you can grant authority to a family member in another country to buy or sell property on your behalf, or you can authorise them to handle a legal or business matter on your behalf, if you cannot be physically present.

General powers of attorney are usually used when you are temporarily unable to manage your affairs due to travel, illness, or other reasons.

End of Authority

Ends automatically if you become mentally incapacitated or lose the mental capacity to make decisions.

Ceases to be valid once you lose mental capacity.

Legal Restrictions

Cannot be used to make decisions regarding health and welfare matters

The power of attorney can be drafted so that it is limited in scope and duration based on your specific instructions.

The power of attorney may need to be renewed repeatedly if the task cannot be completed in the time allowed.

Note: a general power of attorney is not the same as a lasting power of attorney.

Call now and speak to a solicitor if you need a general power of attorney.

Applications for Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

Every adult has the right to manage their own money and affairs. However, as we age, our ability to do this may diminish. Whether due to illness, disability, or an accident, there are practical steps you can take to prepare for such situations.

If there is not enough time to take these precautionary steps, or if someone is already 'incapacitated' (unable to manage their financial affairs), their relatives usually need to seek advice. In such cases, there are several options available. One option is to contact the Court of Protection, which can arrange to manage the person's financial affairs.

In the UK, there are two main types of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA):

  1. Health and Welfare LPA:
    • Purpose: Allows you to appoint someone to make decisions about your health and personal welfare
    • Scope: Includes decisions about medical treatment, care, and where you live
    • Activation: Can only be used if you lack the mental capacity to make these decisions yourself
  2. Property and Financial Affairs LPA:
    • Purpose: Allows you to appoint someone to manage your financial matters and property
    • Scope: Includes decisions about paying bills, managing bank accounts, and selling property
    • Activation: Can be used as soon as it’s registered, with your permission, even if you still have mental capacity, or only when you lack mental capacity

Our solicitors can advise you on the best course of action for your situation

Planning for the future involves more than just distributing assets. Our experienced solicitors are attentive in the creation and registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA). We discuss your requirements in a comfortable environment and assist you in appointing trusted individuals to make decisions on your behalf regarding health and financial matters should you become unable to do so. Safeguard your interests and maintain control over your affairs with our expert guidance.

Our experienced solicitors are attentive and will assist you to create and register your Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA). We discuss your requirements in a comfortable environment and assist you in appointing trusted individuals to make decisions on your behalf regarding health and financial matters should you become unable to do so.

Safeguard your interests and maintain control over your affairs with our expert guidance.

Click here to read more about Powers of Attorney

Applications for Deputyship from the Court of Protection

A court of Protection Deputyship is essential when an individual is unable to manage their own affairs due to mental incapacity, and there are no prior legal arrangements in place. A deputy is empowered by the Court of protection to manage the needs and interests of a vulnerable person.

Deputyship may be needed for the following reasons:

  1. Incapacity to Manage Affairs:
  2. when an individual is mentally incapacitated and unable to make decisions about their finances, property, health, or welfare, a deputy can step in to manage these matters on their behalf.

  3. No Existing Arrangements:
  4. If there is no Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) in place before the individual loses capacity, deputyship is necessary to legally authorise someone to make decisions for them.

  5. Protection of Interests:
  6. - A deputy ensures that the incapacitated person’s interests are safeguarded, making sure their financial affairs are managed properly, and that they receive appropriate care and support.
  7. Complex Decisions:
  8. In cases where complex decisions about health, welfare, or substantial financial matters need to be made, having a court-appointed deputy ensures these decisions are made in the best interest of the individual.

  9. Legal Authority:
  10. Deputyship provides legal authority for someone to act on behalf of the incapacitated person, ensuring compliance with legal and financial institutions, healthcare providers, and other relevant entities.

  11. Dispute Resolution:
  12. When there is disagreement among family members or caregivers about how an incapacitated person’s affairs should be managed, the appointment of a deputy provides a clear and legally recognized decision-maker.

  13. Continuity of Care:
  14. Deputyship ensures that there is a responsible individual continuously managing the incapacitated person’s affairs, providing stability and consistency in their care and financial management.

Our experienced solicitors are attentive and will guide you through the process.

Safeguard the interests of your loved ones with our expert guidance.

Click here to read more about Court of Protection

To speak to a member of our expert law team, or arrange a free 15-minute consultation

Applications for Probate and Letters of Administration

The probate process can be intricate and time-consuming, especially during periods of grief. Anderson Browne Solicitors is here to guide you through every step, whether you are the named executor seeking probate or in need of letters of administration when there is no valid will. Our team works to streamline the process, allowing you to focus on other arrangements and honouring your loved one's memory.

Note: We do not handle complex contentious probate matters.

Free Bereavement consultation service (30mins): following the death of a loved one, we provide initial guidance to help executors (where there is a Will) or close family members (where there is no Will) understand the legal procedures and their role as a executor / personal representative, and the early steps they need to take, to notify banks, insurers and other organisations. Where adequate information is available, we may be able to assess and advise whether or not a grant of probate is required, and possible Inheritance tax liability.

Contact us to learn more about our Probate Services

Anderson Browne Solicitors Wills and Probate Seminars

We host free Seminars several times a year providing valuable knowledge and experience about these crucial issues and providing a forum for questions and answers in a relaxed environment.

Our Seminars are well received as they simplify issues concerning the drafting of valid Wills, the importance of lasting powers of attorney, and the probate process.

For care home managers and community groups interested in arranging a free seminar, please get on touch with our team (you will require a suitable venue and at least 10 people attending).

Uncontested Probate & Estate Administration

  • Applying for the grant, collecting in and distributing the estate assets
  • Providing you with a dedicated and experienced probate solicitor to work on your matter
  • Identifying the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Accurately identifying the type of Probate application you will require
  • Obtaining the relevant documents required to make the application
  • Completing the Probate Application and any relevant HMRC forms
  • Drafting a legal oath
  • Submitting the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
  • Obtaining the Probate and securely sending copies to you
  • Collecting in and distributing all assets in the estate

  • There is a valid Will
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries. If disputes arise after a fixed fee is agreed, this will lead to an increase in costs
  • There are no claims made against the estate
  • Any change of circumstances that makes the matter prolonged or complex will lead to an increase in costs

Disbursements (i.e. expenses), are costs related to your matter that are paid to third parties, such as court fees, experts, barristers etc. These expenses are never included in our fees. We require funds on account, in order to handle these expenses to ensure a smooth process. The usual disbursements include (but not limited to):

  • Probate application fee of £273.00
  • Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£3.00 per beneficiary)
  • Additional copies of the grant cost £1.50 each
  • £125.00 Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors
  • £450.00 to £500.00 Post in a Local Newspaper – This helps to protect against unexpected claims
  • Circa £300-£800.00

  • There will be additional costs for any of the following reasons: no Will, estate consists of shareholdings (stocks and bonds), including mixed portfolios, size and complexity of the estate, tracing missing heirs, or assets held outside the UK. We can give you a more accurate quote when we have more information.
  • Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included, and will be charged for separately.
  • If Counsel (i.e. a barrister), is engaged for an opinion or to advise or draft a Deed of Variation, then Counsel’s costs will probably in the range of £1,500.00 to £2,500.00 (excluding VAT). This will be confirmed at the time of instruction.

On average, the process to obtain probate or letters of administration takes within 4 to 6 months.

Hourly Rate
At the lower range, this type of work will typically take between 8 to 12 hours at an hourly rate of £285.00 per hour. The more issues or complexities involved in a matter, the more time will be required. The final cost will depend on the individual circumstances, complexity and duration of the matter.
Simple case Medium complexity case High end / Complex case
The estate will typically have no more than three beneficiaries, up to one property, no more than three bank accounts, no shareholding and no Inheritance tax due. Costs could be in the range of £2,500.00 to £4,500.00 excluding VAT and disbursements. The estate is slightly bigger than at the lower end, may have some shareholding, various bank accounts, one property eligible for RNRB, but no liability for inheritance tax. Costs could be in the range of £5,000.00 to £8,500.00 excluding VAT and disbursements. The estate is more sizeable, complex, or liable for inheritance Tax. Costs will start from £9,000.00 excluding VAT and disbursements. Fees will be assessed at the beginning and reviewed at various stages and you will be kept informed throughout the process.

Why Choose Anderson Browne for Will Writing?

Expertise

Our team consists of experienced solicitors who specialise in will writing and estate planning.

Personalized Approach

We understand that every client is different, and that each client’s situation is unique, so we tailor our services to meet individual needs.

Get Started Today

Join our satisfied clients who have entrusted us with their will writing needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin planning for your future with confidence.

Secure Your Legacy with Anderson Browne Solicitors:

Planning for the future should not be a daunting task. Anderson Browne Solicitors is here to offer you peace of mind and assurance in securing your legacy and addressing the legal intricacies of probate and lasting powers of attorney. Trust us to provide you with the expert guidance and support needed during these critical moments.

Contact Anderson Browne Solicitors today to schedule a consultation and take the first step in securing your future and the well-being of your loved ones. Your peace of mind is our priority.

What Clients Say About Us