Wills and Probate Solicitors in Bournemouth

Making decisions about your Estate can often be an overwhelming and daunting prospect, as can dealing with the Estate of someone who has recently passed away. To make this process as straightforward as possible, our Wills and Probate solicitors in Bournemouth are here to help you make the best decisions for you and your family.

At Dutton Gregory Solicitors, we are aware of the challenges that often come with Wills and Probate. We are here to make sure that all of your questions are answered and that you receive the exact level of support you require.

We have particular skills in handling some of the most complex Wills and Probate matters, with our high level of knowledge being reflected by some of our team’s memberships with the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and Association of Lifetime Lawyers (ALL), formerly Solicitors of the Elderly.

Rest assured that our solicitors will be readily available to advise you by telephone, email, video conferencing, or in person at our Bournemouth office.

Contact our Wills and Probate Solicitors in Bournemouth

To arrange an initial consultation with our local solicitors in Bournemouth, call us on 01202 315005 or fill in our quick enquiry form.

Our Wills and Probate services in Bournemouth

Our team offers legal guidance on various matters, including:

Wills
Lasting Powers of Attorney or LPAs
Estate and Tax Planning
Estate Administration
Trusts
Court of Protection Matters
Wills, Trust and Estate Disputes

Wills

There are countless reasons for making a Will. From ensuring that your Estate is distributed exactly as you intend, or you simply wish to reduce the potential for any disputes among your loved ones, having a valid Will in place is key.

If you do not have a valid Will upon your death, your Estate will instead be distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy, which may not be an accurate reflection of your intentions.

Our dedicated team will work alongside you to create a bespoke Will that is tailored to your circumstances, as well as review any existing Wills you may have already signed to ensure that their terms are still accurate.

Where appropriate, we can assist you with amending a Will via a Codicil or replacing it with a new Will to ensure that your wishes are upheld.

Lasting Powers of Attorney, LPAs

There may come a point in your life where you are no longer able to make important decisions or manage your affairs. No matter what the reason for this may be, it is important to have plans in place to allow your loved ones to properly support you.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint trusted individuals to take control of your affairs when you cannot do so yourself. You can make a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney or a Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney.

A Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney provides an Attorney with the authority to make decisions about:

Any medical care you receive
Care Home accommodation
Life-sustaining treatment
Your daily routine

A Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney provides an Attorney with the authority to make decisions about:

Your general finances
Your bills
Selling property
Collecting benefits

Deciding on an Attorney to act on your behalf is a major decision which requires lengthy planning and careful consideration. To support you with this process, our solicitors will be by your side to explain your options and what decisions will be in your best interests.

Where required, we are also able to advise Attorneys on their obligations and to act as Certificate Providers to help prevent claims being made regarding the capacity of the person to appoint an Attorney.

Estate and Tax Planning

Meticulous estate and tax planning is extremely important. This is especially where you need to take extra measures to save your beneficiaries from dealing with a substantial inheritance Tax bill after you pass away.

Our team have previously worked with many individuals and families to help resolve a wide range of matters related to estate and tax planning. This includes complex issues such as where money is being left to a charity or assets are being placed in a Trust.

Estate Administration

Acting as an Executor is a major responsibility. Executors administer the estate of someone who has passed away and carry out the instructions set out in a Will. Up to four people can be nominated to act as Executors.

Executors can be held personally liable for any mistakes that are made during the process of administering an Estate, which means that it’s vital to be aware of what needs to be done to conduct the role as efficiently as possible.

Our team of solicitors will take you through the entire estate administration process, or handle specific matters that are related, such as securing a Grant of Probate or dealing with Inheritance Tax returns.

Trusts

Trusts have the potential to be extremely complex, which shows how important it is to tailor a document to suit your circumstances and what benefits you are looking to provide to your beneficiaries.

Our team are available to provide the exact level of support you need, clarify your options and explain what the process of creating a Trust entails. We also offer comprehensive Trust management support for both Trustees and beneficiaries.

Court of Protection Matters

When a loved one loses the capacity to make their own decisions, this could present a range of complications for you and your family. The situation will be even more difficult if no one has previously been nominated to act under an LPA.

This is where it may be necessary to apply to the Court of Protection to become a Deputy. Doing so will provide you with the authority to make decisions on behalf of someone who has lost capacity.

We can work alongside you to help you through the process of applying to the Court of Protection, as well as stepping in to act as a Professional Deputy or create a Statutory Will.

Wills, Trust and Estate Disputes

Being involved in a dispute concerning Wills, Trusts and Estates can be incredibly disruptive and distressing. No matter which side of a Will, Trust or Estate dispute you are on, finding a swift resolution that keeps conflict and costs to a minimum is key.

Our team have experience in utilising various forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve the most complex Wills, Trusts and Estate disputes, such as Mediation and Negotiation.

If a case cannot be resolved through these means, we also have the expertise to support you in resolving a claim in Court.

Why choose Dutton Gregory Solicitors?

At Dutton Gregory Solicitors, our clients are always our first priority. This means that we always tailor our services and advice to the needs of the individuals we work with while also seeking to build strong professional relationships.

Our expert Wills and Probate Team in Bournemouth includes several members of the prestigious Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and Association of Lifetime Lawyers (ALL), highlighting our high level of knowledge.

Our team is friendly and approachable and will always take the time to understand your situation in detail and your desired outcome.