Ensuring that you protect your assets, even after your death is one of the most important decisions you will make; yet almost half of the UK have never discussed planning their wealth.

Safeguarding your estate can be done in many ways. A Will is a legal statement of your wishes on how to manage your estate. The wealth you leave behind may hold substantial financial or even sentimental value, and many desire to have it inherited by a certain person. Our solicitors are based in a very accessible part of east London and can directly assist you with the legal requirements of estate planning. We can directly work with you to ensure those whom you choose will receive your wealth.  We can also give you expert advice on how to ensure that your estate is inherited in the way that you prefer. Our probate experts can advise you on how to proceed should your Will lead to a diminished inheritance to your: children (stepchildren, adopted, ex-nuptial), spouse, divorced spouse, parents.

Our solicitors at Stirling Ackroyd Legal can also provide you with expert advice on how to minimise tax.

There are many exemptions that can mitigate the tax paid however many families fail to plan their estates. Our team of Solicitors and Consultants are based in London and can directly engage with you to ensure that most of your wealth is distributed as you want. We can make a tailor-made plan to ensure that your legacy is passed accordingly and deal with legal complications surrounding lifetime gifts.

Our expert Wills and probate solicitors can help you with:

Contesting a Will

When someone passes away, their estate should be distributed according to what was written in their Will, or under the intestacy laws if they did not leave one. You can contest a Will if you believe that the estate may be of beneficial interest to you. It is important to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity if you find yourself in a dispute or need advice on proceeding further.

Managing your estate

Our specialist Wills and probate solicitors can guide you through the process of making a Lasting Power of Attorney. This enables another person or Attorney to handle your affairs in the event of you not being able to do so. In order to be a Lasting Power of Attorney, you must be over the age of 18 and have a sound mental state to make this decision for yourself, however, there is no requirement to be a British citizen or habitually resident in the UK.

Probate

Probate is the legal process of managing the estate of a person who is deceased. If you have been chosen as the executor, you are liable to pay off any outstanding bills or debts and distributing their estate as it is set out in their will. This often includes selling their home and other major assets and possessions. In order to do this, you must apply for a Grant of Probate.