Wills, Trusts, Tax and Estate Planning Solicitors
We want to make wills, trusts and estate planning as simple to understand and as easy to access as possible.
Our experienced team can help your plan for your future
Our partner-led team is one of the UK’s most experienced teams that advise on the complex areas of wills, trusts, and estates. Much of our work involves high-value estates, high-net-worth individuals and their families, and an increasing number of matters involving international estates, which bring with them an additional set of challenges.
The importance of a will
Making a will is key to ensuring that your wealth is distributed as you wish upon death. If you die without making a will, then intestacy rules apply, which will dictate how your money, property or possessions will be allocated (which may not be how you would have wished your assets to be distributed).
Unmarried couples need to make a will, as they cannot inherit from each other unless there is a will in place. Also, if children are involved, a will is important to ensure that arrangements can be made for them if either one, or both, parents die. Read more about making a will here.
Our wills, trusts and estates solicitors can guide you expertly through all aspects of managing and securing your wealth offering bespoke advice to your unique set of circumstances helping to protect your wealth for your family and understand any tax implications and how to minimise them.
We are one of only a few firms that have members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP); meaning our team practices, and is recognised at, the highest level in will writing.
‘Shakespeare Martineau has been nothing but professional and precise. They understand all situations and concerns their clients have and help them to understand the process and guide them through step by step.” – Legal 500, 2022
Wherever you are on your journey, our legal advisors can help. Call us today on 0330 024 0333 or use the button below to complete our contact form.Our Wills, Trusts, Tax and Estate Planning team
Suzanne Leggott
Partner & Head of Private Wealth
Lesley Davis
Partner
Verity Kirby
Partner
Hannah Tait
Partner
Sarah Brack
Partner
Victoria Taylor
Legal Director
How Our Wills, Trusts, Tax and Estate Planning Experts Can Help
Wills and probate
An up-to-date will is key to ensuring that your wishes are followed and your wealth is distributed as you would wish on your death.
Estate planning & adminstration
Reviewing your arrangements and structuring your assets in a tax efficient way ensures you are making the most of your wealth for the future and any beneficiaries
Powers of attorney
There are several types of powers of attorney – our experienced team can help you decide what is best for your circumstances, how to nominate and appoint one.
Court of protection & deputyship matters
If a member of your family loses capacity and does not have a power of attorney, appointing a deputy to act on their behalf is the only suitable option.
Trusts
A trust is a legal process to manage property, money and investments and make sure your family is looked after. Our team is experienced in all aspects of setting up and administering trusts.
Inheritance & trust disputes
If you have been left out of a will or feel overlooked it may be possible to make a claim against the estate under the Inheritance Act. We can advise you on making a claim and help in defending one if one is made against your inheritance.
Personal tax planning
The UK tax system can be complex. We can assist you with inheritance tax, capital gains tax, ensuring your wealth is protected and working hard for you, your family and your future.
Charities
Helping you ensure your chosen charity beneficiaries reap the rewards of your hard work and boost their annual income.
Why choose Shakespeare Martineau?
- Our wills, trusts and estates solicitors are ranked in band 1 across the country for their expertise in private client and wealth law.
- Pricing – we are completely transparent with our pricing from the start of your matter. You will be provided with a full breakdown of costs involved.
- Rated 5* by our clients on feefo
Wills, Trusts, Tax and Estate Planning frequently asked questions
Although you do not need to use a solicitor to help you draw up a will and make it legally binding, it is advisable to use a solicitor, or at least have a solicitor check a will you have drawn up, to make sure it will have the effect you intend it to have.
It’s particularly advisable to use a solicitor if you own a property with someone you are not married to (or in a civil partnership with), or there are several family members who may make a claim on your estate following your death, such as children from a previous marriage.
Although you cannot amend a will after it’s been signed and witnessed, you can make minor changes to a will by making an official alteration called a codicil. This must be signed and witnessed in the same way as a will.
However, if you wish to make any major changes (such as getting married, divorced or having children) then a new will should be made instead. This new will will revoke all previous wills and codicils, and you should destroy all original copies of the previous will.
The role of a probate solicitor (sometimes called an estate administration solicitor) is to support the executors in dealing with all of the procedural requirements involved in administering an estate, such as advising on any problems that arise, ensuring all applicable tax is paid and the estate accounts are completed correctly.
For example, making sure the right tax is paid, any problems are identified and resolved and all accounts are handled with full legal compliance.
Read more about how our estate administration solicitors can help.
Although you don’t need an estate or probate solicitor to can deal with the estate administration or probate application, we do advise that you at least seek legal advice as the process can be hugely time consuming and complex.
As executors and administrators are legally responsible for administrating the estate correctly (including paying appropriate tax and filing paperwork and accounts), it is best to seek support from someone who understands the legal jargon and can guide you in the right direction.
How the Wills, Trusts, Tax and Estate Planning process works
Not everyone is aware of how the process of engaging Wills, Trusts, Tax and Estate Planning solicitors works, so we’ve provided an overview below to give you some peace of mind
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The first stage is to get in touch with us using the button below – you will then be assigned to one of our Wills, Trusts, Tax and Estate Planning specialists. Alternatively, you can reach us on 0330 024 0333.
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You’ll then receive a free 15-minute consultation within 24 hours via Zoom or telephone to discuss the issues you’re facing.
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You are then provided with a transparent breakdown of our costs and, if you would like to proceed, we send you a pack of onboarding documents
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Following this, we will guide and support you through the process of achieving a resolution that works for you and your family.
If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please fill out the enquiry form. We will aim to reply to your query within 2 hours
Need to talk to someone sooner? You can call use at the number below
