Making a will is essential. To die without one may leave your dependents in a financially unstable situation and subject to the Intestacy Provisions.  Pickworths can advise you on the provisions of your will and if you wish even act as your professional executors. 

Depending on your budget our probate service can suit all requirements. We will advise you on the process of obtaining probate and can then either complete all the work or carry out part of the process.

Pickworths also offer first class advice on all aspect of trust work including trust administration and setting up of trust funds. 

Wills

You should complete a Will to ensure your money passes to the people you want to inherit.  A Will is simply the single most important document you can complete in your lifetime.  Without a Will it could mean the following:-

•  Your loved ones are not financially provided for and in the worse case scenario have to leave the marital home
•  Some or all of your monies could pass to an estranged relative or even the Treasury

The only way to provide certainty is to complete a Will.  For expert advice and a first class service please contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Trusts

At Pickworths we offer advice on all areas of Trust Law including the creation administration amendments of trust and advice on tax related issues including Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax for trust funds.

• Trusts can be used for many reasons some of which are: to reduce the amount of Inheritance Tax on your estate 
• to organise family wealth through the generations, holding funds such as life policies, pension benefits etc.
• on second marriages providing for the spouse whilst ensuring that funds eventually pass to one’s own family
• providing for people who are unable to manage their own affairs.

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Probate

There are numerous steps to be undertaken when sorting out the affairs of someone who has died.  These include:-

• Obtaining details of all property and assets owned by the person
• Obtaining details of liabilities
• Obtaining valuations for tax purposes
• Making arrangements to pay Inheritance Tax as it become due
• Application for Grant of Probate
• Distribution of assets

Such procedures are sometimes lengthy to complete, depending on the level of complexity of the estate. Sometimes the person appointed as Executor may not have the time, willpower or knowledge to undertake the work required and this is where we can help.

Pickworths have the professional experience to make the administration of the estate as swift and smooth as possible, allowing the Executor to take relief from additional stress and the uncertainty of undertaking the process themselves.

We also offer a free half hour probate advice appointments for Executors thinking of completing part of the probate themselves.

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Will Disputes & Inheritance Claims

Do you feel that you have unfairly been left out of a will, or that you should receive part of someone’s estate but that they have died without leaving a will?

Are you concerned that no information is being given to you concerning a deceased estate. Did you know that a will is a public document that can be viewed once probate is started?

Even if you are an adult if you have been financially dependant on the deceased or are within a limited range of close non-dependant relatives you may be able to make a claim for payment out of the deceased’s estate.

It is also possible to make a successful financial claim if there is evidence that the will is not valid. Examples of wills that would not be valid are:

• the formal requirements to make a valid will were not complied with
• the deceased was unduly influenced to make a will
• the decease signature or part of the will was forged

Should you have a query regarding the validity of a will, or believe that you may have a claim against a deceased estate as you were financially dependent on the deceased please contact Jane Leadbeater

There are time limits for making a claim – act now – do not delay

We also act for executors of estates against which a claim has been made. It is better to get expert advice as soon as you receive notice that there is a potential claim, whether it is regarding the validity of the will, or a claim from a person who was financially dependent on the deceased. Getting advice early may prevent a claim being made, and reduce costs against the estate. If you are a executor and need expert advice on these issues we can assist you.

We are also able to provide expert advice to those who are concerned that the personal representatives instructed have negligently administered an estate.

Please contact Jane Leadbeater on 01442 261731 or email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   to arrange an appointment.