We understand that planning for the future can seem daunting, especially if you aren’t sure where to start or who to turn to for support. Whether you're writing your first Will, navigating probate after a bereavement, or looking to protect your estate for future generations, our Wills and probate solicitors in Bournemouth are here to help.
At Preston Redman, we work with individuals and families in Bournemouth and across England and Wales, providing clear, practical guidance on all aspects of Wills, probate, trusts and tax.
Our team includes qualified members of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, highlighting our commitment to providing the highest standard of legal support, including to older clients and vulnerable adults.
To receive tailored support from a member of our team, please contact our Bournemouth office today or fill in our online enquiry form for a quick response.
Our Wills, probate, trusts and tax services
We offer a comprehensive range of estate planning services, including:
- Making a Will
- Probate and estate administration
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Trusts and trust administration
- Inheritance Tax planning
- Court of Protection and Living Wills
Making a Will
Writing a Will is the single most effective way to ensure your wishes are carried out after you die. Without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect what you would have chosen.
Our Wills solicitors in Bournemouth will guide you through every aspect of writing a Will from scratch or amending an existing one. This includes helping you decide who you want to benefit from your estate, who should act as executor, and whether you need to make any special arrangements.
A well-drafted Will can also form part of a wider Inheritance Tax planning strategy, potentially reducing the amount of tax your estate pays. We can advise on this during the same conversation.
Probate and estate administration
Being tasked with administering a loved one's estate can feel overwhelming at an already difficult time. Our probate solicitors in Bournemouth can take on as much or as little of this work as you need, ensuring you feel properly supported throughout the whole process.
Depending on your requirements, we can assist with obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, collecting and valuing assets, settling debts and liabilities, preparing and filing the Inheritance Tax return with HMRC, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries.
Our probate and estate administration team has extensive experience handling both straightforward and complex estates, including those involving property, business interests, trusts and overseas assets.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more trusted people (known as attorneys) to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the mental capacity to do so yourself or if you ask them to do so whilst you still have capacity.
Putting an LPA in place while you have full mental capacity is a straightforward process, and it can make an enormous difference to your family if the unexpected happens.
Our Lasting Power of Attorney solicitors in Bournemouth will guide you through the process and ensure your documents are drafted and registered correctly with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Trusts and trust administration
Trusts are a flexible and effective tool for protecting assets, managing wealth across generations and achieving tax efficiencies. They can be created during your lifetime or through your Will, and can be tailored to a wide range of personal and family circumstances.
Our trust administration solicitors in Bournemouth can advise on the most appropriate type of trust for your situation, draft the trust deed, and provide ongoing support to trustees in managing their duties and obligations.
Inheritance Tax planning
For many families, Inheritance Tax can represent a significant liability, but there are effective strategies that can substantially reduce what needs to be paid.
Our estate planning solicitors will review your estate and explain the options available to you, working to develop a long-term strategy that reflects your goals and keeps pace with changes in your circumstances and the law.
Court of Protection and Living Wills
If someone close to you loses mental capacity and doesn’t have an LPA in place, you may need to apply to the Court of Protection to be appointed as their deputy to handle their affairs. Our Court of Protection solicitors can guide you through this process to make it as straightforward as possible.
We also advise on Living Wills, also known as advance decisions or advance directives. A Living Will allows you to set out in writing the medical treatment you do or do not wish to receive if you're no longer able to communicate your wishes. While not the same as an LPA, a Living Will can provide important additional guidance to medical professionals and your family.
Why choose Preston Redman?
We're an established, independently regulated law firm with a long track record of helping individuals and families in Bournemouth and across the UK plan their estates and navigate some of life's most sensitive legal matters.
Here's what you can expect when you work with us:
- Industry accreditations and memberships: Our team includes members of STEP, the globally recognised professional body for estate planning and private client law and The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, a community of legal professionals committed to supporting older and vulnerable clients.
- A personal, empathetic service: Our Wills and probate solicitors take the time to understand your situation and explain everything clearly, without jargon.
- Prompt, reliable communication: You can expect timely responses and straightforward answers throughout your matter.
- Transparent pricing: We give clear fee information from the outset, and we'll always discuss any additional costs with you before proceeding.
- Lexcel accreditation: Preston Redman has been awarded the Law Society’s Lexcel accreditation, marking out our commitment to client care, compliance and practice management.
Our fees and pricing
We believe in complete transparency when it comes to costs. Before we begin any work, we'll provide you with a clear breakdown of what we'll do and what it will cost. If additional work becomes necessary as the matter progresses, we'll agree on a revised budget with you before incurring further fees.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a solicitor to write a Will?
You're not legally required to use a solicitor to write a Will, but it's strongly advised. Poorly drafted Wills are a common cause of disputes and could be considered invalid in some cases.
Our specialist Wills solicitors in Bournemouth will ensure your Will is legally valid, clearly worded and takes account of your full financial and personal circumstances, including any tax implications.
How much does probate cost?
The cost of probate depends on the size and complexity of the estate. Our fees are set out clearly in our probate pricing information. We always provide a tailored quote before starting work and will keep you informed of any changes.
How long does probate take?
Simple estates can be administered within six to 12 months. More complex estates, particularly those involving property sales, multiple beneficiaries, contested claims or unresolved tax matters, can take considerably longer. We'll give you a realistic timeframe at the outset of your case and keep you updated throughout.
What is the difference between a Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration?
A Grant of Probate is issued when the deceased left a valid Will naming executors. Letters of Administration are issued when there is no Will, or when there are no living executors willing or able to act. Both documents give legal authority to deal with the estate, but they apply in different circumstances.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney and why do I need one?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you appoint someone to manage your affairs if you lose mental capacity. Without one, your family may face a lengthy and costly Court of Protection application to make decisions on your behalf, including those related to your finances and your health and wellbeing.
When should I update my Will?
You should review your Will after any significant life event, including marriage or entering a civil partnership (which automatically revokes a previous Will), divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, a substantial change in your assets, or the death of an executor or beneficiary.
As a general rule, reviewing your Will every three to five years is good practice.
What is the inheritance tax threshold?
The standard nil-rate band is £325,000. Estates valued above this threshold are subject to Inheritance Tax at 40% on the amount over the threshold. An additional residence nil-rate band of up to £175,000 may also be available if you leave your home to direct descendants. Spouses can inherit each other’s allowances in certain circumstances.
We can advise on whether your estate is likely to be affected by Inheritance Tax and what steps you can take to reduce your exposure.
Can I challenge a Will?
Yes, it is possible to challenge a Will in certain circumstances. Grounds for contesting a Will include lack of mental capacity at the time it was made, undue influence, fraud or forgery, or failure to comply with formal requirements.
You may also have a claim if you were financially dependent on the deceased and were not adequately provided for. These are complex matters and time limits apply, so it's important to seek legal advice promptly.
We can advise you on making a claim, but we can also advise you on preparing your Will in a way that is less likely to be challenged.
Contact our Wills and probate solicitors in Bournemouth today
To receive tailored support from a member of our team, please contact our Bournemouth office today or fill in our online enquiry form for a quick response.
