Drafting and updating wills 
Making a Will may seem complicated and expensive, but in the majority of cases this is not the case.If you do not make a will the rules of intestacy will control the ultimate destination of your assets.

Probate and the administration of estates 
If you have been appointed as an Executor or a close relative has died and you are the nearest relative, dealing with someone’s estate can be a daunting task.

Wills, trusts and estate disputes 
We have one of the region’s largest teams dedicated to providing a compassionate and comprehensive service when you need help to administer a deceased person’s estate.

Inheritance tax 
Inheritance tax can also apply to lifetime gifts. Outright gifts to individuals may be subject to tax if you die within 7 years of making the gift, and gifts into trust may be subject to tax when made, at the rate of 20%.

Capital gains tax 
You don’t have to sell the asset to have a capital gain – tax will still be payable if you simply give it away.

Trusts 
A trust includes any arrangement where one person (the “Trustee”) holds money or property (the “Trust Fund”) for the benefit of someone else (the “Beneficiary”).

Elderly client services 
At Taylor & Emmet LLP we are committed to providing the highest quality of legal advice for older and vulnerable people, their families and carers. We are able to give advice and assistance on all the main areas of law which are most relevant to our more mature clients, including wills, probate and trusts, tax planning, court of protection, powers of attorney and property matters.

Long term care issues
Not everyone will need long term care, but it is true that the need for long term care in Britain is on the increase, due to the fact that we are all living longer, but not necessarily in full health.

Powers of attorney 
There are three types of Power of Attorney and their purpose is to enable someone to deal with your financial and personal affairs on your behalf.

Wills, probate, tax & trusts team

If you do not make a will, you die ‘intestate’ which means the law decides who receives your assets. If you are living with someone, but you are not married, the intestacy rules will not recognise your relationship.

Diana Smart Partner and head of wills, probate, tax & trusts Diana deals with wills, tax planning, trusts and estates and has a particular interest in trusts and tax. She is a qualified Chartered Tax Adviser and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Richard King Partner Richard has played a large part in his team’s success and he was instrumental in developing our contentious probate department. His expertise covers administration of deceased estates, wills, powers of attorney, trusts and tax planning.

Chaanah Patton Partner Chaanah works in our private client department and specialises in the preparation of wills, administration of deceased estates, tax planning and trust advice. She also deals with Lasting Powers of Attorney and mental incapacity issues with the Office of the Public Guardian and provides elderly care advice.

Nichola Carmichael Solicitor Nichola specialises in the administration of deceased estates, wills, powers of attorney, Court of Protection applications and advising the elderly.

Hannah Montague Solicitor Hannah specialises in the administration of deceased estates, wills, powers of attorney, Court of Protection applications and advising the elderly.

Sally Marritt Wills and probate executive Sally specialises in the administration of deceased estates, wills and advising the elderly. She also deals with powers of attorney and Court of Protection applications.