Tax, Wills and Probate

When we can help

There are certain key points in life when doing nothing can often lead to adverse consequences. The most common ways where we can assist and provide professional advice are:

Preserving your wealth

We are committed to giving our clients a bespoke service on how to preserve and enhance their assets and wealth and plan for their and their family's future, whether it is through tax efficient wills or through the use of lifetime trusts /gifts.

Owning property in the UK

Whether you are buying a property (the firm's Property Department can assist you in this) or you already own a property we can advise on the preparation of an agreement called a Declaration of Trust which sets out how you and your co-owners will own the property together with the responsibilities and consequences (tax and otherwise) if one of you decides to move out and/or the property is sold.

On Marriage / Civil Partnership

Your entire estate does not automatically go to your spouse / civil partner if you do not have a Will. Having regard to your wishes and family circumstances we can help in ensuring that your family and dependents are provided for in the most tax efficient way.

We work closely with the Family Department who can give advice on such matters as pre-nuptial agreements and adoption.

Having children or grandchildren

If you have young children making a Will enables you to choose guardians to look after them on your death.

As a grandparent you may wish to review your Will to ensure that your grandchildren are included in your Will.

Looking after the vulnerable

The firm can and does act as deputy for those unable to look after their own financial affairs. The Clinical Negligence Department works closely with us in cases where Professional Deputies are appointed to act on behalf of clinical negligence clients. This may include basic needs such as paying bills to more specialist actions such as producing accounts for the Office of Public Guardian, completing tax returns or making an application for a statutory will.

We can also advise you on any Enduring Power of Attorney that you have in place, or Lasting Powers of Attorney and how these can be used to manage your or a loved one's financial affairs and health matters. If you have strong views on your own medical treatment we can prepare a personal welfare Lasting Power of Attorney to ensure that in times where you are unable to express your view you receive the treatment you want.

Our team consists of members of the Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) who can assist in planning for long-term care and other issues involving the elderly.

When a loved one dies

We can guide you through the probate process (be it through the terms of his or her Will or the rules of intestacy) and can administer simple or complex estates for those who are domiciled in the UK or abroad. We also work closely with the firm's Litigation Department should the estate be contested.

The firm's Property Department also has extensive experience of working with Executors, and we can advise on the inheritance tax and capital gains tax implications of a probate sale and help to realise assets to the optimum benefit of the estate.

On a breakdown of a personal relationship

We can help in identifying where claims may be made as well as the tax, insolvency or succession issues on divorce or separation.

We can also advise you on the best way to leave your assets to your children if they themselves are having matrimonial problems.

Emigration or Immigration

We work closely with the Immigration Department in advising clients on all aspects of UK inheritance tax, capital gains tax and income tax whether you come to stay or work in the UK either for the short or long-term or if you decide to move abroad.

Please contact Matthew Duncan on 020 7814 1200 or mduncan@kingsleynapley.co.uk for more information on the services we provide.