rhw solicitors - Wills, Trusts, Estates & Tax

We have considerable experience in :-

Preparing Wills and Codicils for both private and business clients,
Inheritance tax (IHT) planning
The creation and administration of lifetime settlements
The preparation of Powers of Attorney.

One of our strengths is the in-house expertise we can call upon in administering the estates of business clients whether sole traders, partners or company directors. We also offer lifetime planning to such clients. This includes the preparation of Wills appointing specialist executors to deal with a business, the preparation of Powers of Attorney specifically for business purposes and the creation of trusts of life policies to enable a business to pass on death without financial hardship arising.

Wills

Properly drawn Wills ensure not only the people you want to benefit do benefit, but also that inheritance tax is kept to a minimum. We see our job as not only taking instructions but also putting forward suggestions and encouraging clients to consider situations they had not previously thought of.

If you would like us to prepare a will for you, please complete our will questionnaire and we will be in touch.

Administration of Estates

At a time when a client is suffering a bereavement we can help relieve them of the worry and complexities of dealing with the administration of an estate. It is our aim to deal with the administration efficiently and to make the task as straight forward as possible. We can obtain Grants of Probate (if there is a Will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no Will - known as an intestacy) and if required help with the remainder of the administration. The partners of the firm are willing to act as executors if there are no relatives or close friends who can undertake the task.

Deeds of Variation

We also advise on and prepare deeds varying the terms of Wills or the law of intestacy. If this is done within two years of the date of death it can achieve considerable inheritance tax savings.

Lifetime Settlements

Trusts are an effective inheritance tax saving device. They are also used for the protection of assets and to prevent assets becoming fragmented. The risk of fragmentation is a danger when a sole trader dies and the business property passes for example to the children, some of whom may be involved in the business and want to retain the property whereas others, not involved, may want to sell it to realise their inheritance. We can advise on the creation and administration of Discretionary Trusts, Life Interest Trusts, Insurance Trusts and Charitable Trusts.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

These are used to appoint an attorney to deal with the financial affairs of someone who may not be able to undertake that task. They are commonly used by elderly clients to appoint a younger relative or friend to act if the person making the power becomes physically frail or loses mental capacity. The partners of the firm are willing to act as attorneys if there are no relatives or close friends who can undertake the task.