Wills, Probates, Tax and Trusts

People are living longer than ever before and the need to protect accumulated wealth for your own use, or to pass on to your heirs, is vital.

House price inflation means many homeowners fall into the Inheritance Tax net and with more and more people buying second homes, in the UK or abroad, there is increased need to use specialist advice to protect estates.

Why make a will? What happens if you die without a will?

Wills

The process for drawing up a Will is generally far more straightforward than most people believe when proper professional advice is taken. It is an action that can provide you with the knowledge that, in the event of your death, your wishes can be acted on promptly and in a timely manner. It also ensures that the distribution of assets can be undertaken quickly and efficiently to provide security for your family.

We can advise on the drafting and updating of Wills to ensure that as your circumstances change, your Will continues to reflect your wishes.

Elderly client services (incl. Trusts, Power of Attorney and Enduring Power of Attorney*)

Trusts provide considerable scope to pass on assets or reduce tax liability by placing the asset outside of your estate. We can act as Trustees on your behalf or draft Trust documentation to place the Trusteeship with your nominated individuals.

Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Attorney allow you to place the day-to-day administration of your finances with an Attorney, if your health is poor or your mental faculty may prohibit you from attending to financial affairs. A Lasting Power of Attorney provides the flexibility to continue to deal with matters while you are able or willing to do so. And can deal with financial matters, welfare, or both.

Our specialist practitioners will explain how these documents can be best used to support your circumstances and will draft them in accordance with your wishes.

Our specialist team can help and advise you to draw up a Lasting Power of Attorney, or assist in an application to the Court. Please call 01204 498970 to discuss the options available.

Inheritance Tax planning

Increasing house price inflation in the UK means that Inheritance Tax is no longer “a tax on the rich”. The threshold for Inheritance Tax is currently set at £325,000 for the tax year 2009/2010.. Inheritance Tax is a flat rate tax at 40%, payable on the value of the estate that exceeds the threshold figure.

A wide range of tax planning measures can be taken to reduce the potential for paying Inheritance Tax. Our experts can advise you on the best options for your particular situation.

Probate and administration of estates on death

Our team of Probate specialists provide advice with understanding and sensitivity when winding up and administering estates. They can establish whether it is necessary to obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration to allow assets to be collected and distributed in accordance with the wishes of the deceased.

Where appropriate, the service includes tax saving advice to ensure the estate is passed on, in as efficient a manner as possible, to the beneficiaries.

Our Team

Our team has over 70 years of collective experience in delivering high quality work in all matters relating to Wills, Probates, Tax and Trusts. We have four members of the team who may work on your matter. They will be supervised by Iain Grundy, Partner and Head of the Department.

Iain Grundy - Partner

Iain is the head of our Private Client team and has over 6 years experience in private client work. He specialises in Wills and Probate and Court of Protection cases. Iain has been working in this area since he qualified and has helped a vast number of families and individuals.

Iain has a degree in Microbiology and Immunology and completed his Graduate Diploma in Law at Leeds University in 2010. He joined Winder Taylor Smith in 2012 during his training contract. Iain subsequently became a partner in 2017. The firm is an accredited member of the Law Society Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme and Ian is in charge of ensuring the department implements and maintains quality and training requirements under the Scheme.

Iain regularly meets with clients at our Horwich office, although he mainly works from our Harley House office and can be contacted on -

Tel: (01204) 498970
iaing@windertaylor.co.uk

J. Derek Smith - Partner

Derek qualified as a solicitor 1968 and has over 50 years experience in the provision of legal services. Derek specialises in Trusts, Probate and estate administration, Wills and Elderly Client Services (including Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection cases) and commercial and residential property. Derek has been a named partner of Winder Taylor Smith since 2014 by merger from Derek Smith & Co (the firm he established in 1978).

Derek works from our Designa House office and can be contacted on -

Tel: (01204) 389089 | (01204) 389908
Dereks@windertaylor.co.uk

Simon Dennis - Senior Solicitor

Simon joined us in March 2016 as a senior solicitor. After obtaining a degree in Mathematics, Simon attended the College of Law in Guildford, passed the Common Professional Examination and Law Society Finals and qualified as a solicitor in 1989.

Simon specialises in the preparation of Wills and dealing with the administration of estates. He also advises on Trusts and Inheritance Tax matters and deals with the preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney and associated Elderly Client Services.

Simon works from our Harley House office and can be contacted on -

Tel: (01204) 498970
simond@windertaylor.co.uk

Philippa Best - Private Client Paralegal

Philippa is registered with the Institute of Paralegals and is a Tier 3 Paralegal on the Professional Paralegal Register. She gained a Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies from the National Association of Licensed Paralegals in 2008 and is an affiliate member of STEP from which she obtained her Certificate in Trusts and Estates in 2015. She continues to undertake professional development courses within her respected area of law. Philippa has worked within the legal profession in various roles since 1990 and joined us in 2013. She has steadily built up her own case load in Probate, Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Philippa works from our Harley House office and can be contacted on -

Tel: (01204) 498970
philippab@windertaylor.co.uk