PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES

Managing a loved one’s affairs during bereavement is especially difficult. At Needle, we provide efficient and experienced support throughout the entire probate process, assuming the legal and financial responsibilities to reduce risk for executors and administrators. With expertise in both simple and complex estates, we ensure all aspects of your matter are handled with sensitivity and care. 

We regularly assist clients with:

  • Applications for Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration 

  • Full estate administration. This usually includes the following:

    • Valuing the estate

    • If required, prepare Form IH400 to be submitted to HMRC 

    • Arranging payment of any inheritance tax and advising you of your options

    • Obtaining the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration

    • Collecting the estate assets

    • Payment of any estate debts 

    • Dealing with any other tax issues (using a third-party specialist if necessary)

    • Preparing the estate account 

    • Distributing the estate to the beneficiaries  

Our team is led by a specialist solicitor, Andrew Gullett. With over two decades of experience, Andrew is an accredited member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers. This is the gold standard for lawyers in this area of law. 

LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that ensures decisions about finances, health, care, and property can be made by trusted individuals. They ensure that the people you trust most in your life have the legal power to make decisions on your behalf, should you be unable to make those decisions yourself.

Sadly, many people still fail to make LPAs until it is too late, which can result in a very costly and lengthy application being made to the Court of Protection.

Our team is led by specialist solicitor Andrew Gullett, with over two decades of experience in handling LPAs. Andrew is also an accredited member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers. This is known as the gold standard for lawyers who specialise in acting for older and vulnerable clients. 

Our LPA services include:

  • Guidance on both types of LPA: Health and Welfare, and Property and Financial Affairs.

  • Advice on which LPA suits your needs.

  • Complete drafting of legally compliant documentation.

  • Modifications to LPAs.

  • Registration with the Office of the Public Guardian; and

  • Assistance with revocation processes.

  • We can also assist you with the applications to the Court of Protection, where a person has already lost mental capacity.


WILLS

A professionally drafted will is vital in ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes and not the wishes of the government (as per the rules of intestacy). We have expertise in writing wills that minimise the risk of disputes, prevent unintended consequences under intestacy law, and allow for effective estate administration, including tax mitigation. 

Our comprehensive will services are: 

  • Bespoke will drafting, by an experienced solicitor.

  • Inheritance tax mitigation.

  • Estate planning.

  • Property protection – care fee mitigation.

  • Advice on guardianship (where your children are still minors) and executorship; and

  • Dispute avoidance strategies

Our leading private client solicitor combines technical expertise with a clear and supportive approach and regularly advises clients of all ages and backgrounds. He has a particular interest in acting for more vulnerable clients and has worked and trained closely with the Alzheimer’s Society. He is an accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, which is the gold standard for lawyers acting for this client group.