Wills, Probate and Inheritance Tax

Churchers Solicitors are a leading Hampshire law firm offering advice on wills, probate and inheritance tax.

Leaving an estate of more than £312,000 opens you up to inheritance tax - and that means 40% on anything over that figure going straight to the Revenue. Not to your chosen beneficiaries.

What used to be just a 'rich' person's tax, now affects a much larger proportion of the UK population. Soaring house prices without an equivalent increase in the inheritance tax threshold has proved very lucrative for Government revenue generation.

However, there are ways to beat the system. Careful planning and preparation of a tax-efficient Will not only ensures your wishes are carried out, but also protects the value of your estate when it is passed on.

Of course, the price for not having a Will at all can be even higher. In this case, your estate would be divided according to the law of 'Intestacy' - with some potentially unpleasant results.

The cost of our Will service starts at £150 plus VAT and a drawn-up document can be ready within a week. We can advise you on how to protect the value of your estate by reducing your tax liability. We can also undertake the duties associated with dealing with an estate. This includes acting as executors of a Will or testing it before a Court.

You may also require assistance in preparing a Powers of Attorney, including Lasting Powers of Attorney which is a specifically designed document enabling a person of your choice to handle your affairs should you become incapacitated for any reason.

To learn more about our service or to discuss a particular situation, please contact one of our experts by telephone or email.

The Wills and Probate department is headed by John Guest.