Will writing and probate

Writing a Will is one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones. Age UK Legal Services believe it is important to consult a solicitor when you write your Will to make sure it accurately records your wishes.

If you don’t have a valid Will when you die, your estate becomes ‘intestate’. This means the law decides how your estate will be distributed.

Age UK Legal Services can help you:

• Write a Will that is recognised by law
• Update a Will – check your Will regularly, and If your personal circumstances have changed, you should write a new Will to reflect your changed situation.
• Change a Will with small amendments known as a ‘codicil’

Four quick and simple steps to your Will

1. Call 0845 685 1076 to request your Will writing pack.
2. Complete the questionnaire and send it with your payment in the prepaid envelope.
3. Irwin Mitchell will prepare and send you a Will. They will contact you if necessary to make sure they understand your wishes. 
4. Check the Will and sign it if it is corrrect.

If changes are required to the Will sent, then Irwin Mitchell will send you a revised Will.

Wills and Estates Disputes

Age UK Legal Services can offer advice on any estate dispute or problem arising relating to a Will or the administration of an estate. 

Age UK Legal Services also offers a number of other Will-related services:

Asset protection Wills

Advice on protecting your assets and property through Wills and trusts planning. This can minimise payment of Inheritance Tax and care home fees.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)

An LPA (Property and Affairs) is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions about your finances on your behalf in the event that you are no longer mentally or physically capable.

Age UK Legal Services can advise and draft an LPA for you and deal with the registration at the Office of the Public Guardian so that it can be used in the event of your incapacity.

Probate and estate administration

Probate takes place following a person's death. It involves a court procedure and the completion of an HMRC return on the value of the estate. Any Inheritance Tax is paid at the same time as probate is applied for.

Estate administration involves identifying, securing and collecting the assets of the deceased and distributing them to those who are entitled.

Age UK Legal Services can help you through all the stages of Probate:

• Getting a Grant of Representation from the Probate court
• Administering a deceased estate
• Sale of property
• Payment of inheritance tax
• Release of funds due to the beneficiaries of the estate
• Asset protection and tax planning

^Irwin Mitchell was named as the National Law Firm of the Year in 2007 by the Lawyer Magazine.

*If you call the 0845 number, you will be dealing with Irwin Mitchell LLP. The call centre opening hours are 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-4pm Saturday. Calls are charged at local rate. Calls may be recorded. Irwin Mitchell LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with number OC343897 and is regulated by both the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Law Society of Scotland.

Age UK Enterprises Limited is the commercial arm of Age UK (registered charity number 1128267 and registered company number 6825798) and donates its net profits to Age UK.

Age UK is a registered trademark. The use of the name and logo Age UK is done so under agreement between Age UK and Age UK Enterprises Limited. Age UK Enterprises Limited is registered in England and Wales number 3156159. Age UK Enterprises Limited registered address: Tavis House 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA.

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