Wills & Probate for:

• Making a will
• Probate and Estate Administration
• Powers of Attorney
• Court of Protection
• Handling an elderly relative's affairs
• Advice on Local Authority Care Fees Assessment
• Overseas retirees returning to the UK

How do I make a Will?

Telephone Stephen Gadd or Sue Goss on 01403 271222 and ask for an appointment to make a Will.

Before your appointment give the following points some thought so that you can discuss them at the meeting:

• Make a list of your assets.
• Consider who you wish to appoint as guardian and trustee for your minor children, if applicable.
• Decide who is to inherit your assets.
• Consider who you wish to appoint as Executor of your Will to ensure that your wishes are carried out. If you prefer you can appoint Smith Gadd & Co. to act as your sole or joint executor.
• Decide if you wish to make any specific bequests. These may include an item of jewellery; a family heirloom or antique piece; a specific amount of money or the proceeds of a particular insurance policy or any other specific item you wish to leave to a particular beneficiary.
• Consider whether there is anyone who may have a claim against your estate for whom you do not wish to make provision in your Will.

Following your meeting with Stephen or Sue a Will reflecting your wishes will be drafted and sent to you to approve the contents. You will then be asked to make a brief visit to one of our offices to deal with the signature formalities. Once signed, we can either store the Will for you free of charge in our document storage facility and provide you with copies of the original or you may take the original for your own safe-keeping.

Overseas retirees returning to the UK

There are an increasing number of overseas retirees returning to the UK. In many cases it is for a mixture of financial reasons, the death of a spouse and often the growing realisation that health care for the elderly, depending on the area, can be unpredictable.

Those returning home from abroad are faced with the legal and practical problems of re-establishing UK domicile, re-registration for health care purposes and managment of their assets.  This is often left to the children to deal with and a Lasting Power of Attorney may be called for to help in management of financial affairs and social welfare, particularly as those returning from overseas often arrive back on these shores confused, bereaved and with their finances in turmoil.