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DBF Wills |
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Professional Will Writing Services. |
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Whether you make a Will or not, most estates have to go through probate to ensure the estate passes to the intended people and any Tax due is identified. We have found through experience most non-professional Executors are not sure how to deal with probate after a client has passed away and in most cases ask a solicitor or their bank for help.
The costs involved in dealing with probate apart from the court fee will depend on who does the work. Typically a solicitor would charge an hourly fee plus a % of the assets, whilst a bank would charge up to 5% of the value of the assets for dealing with a simple estate.
All clients who subscribe to our advice services have access to our probate and administration advice service. We advise Executors how to deal with an estate and explain their legal obligations without the need to appoint a solicitor or bank. If required, we can complete all applications and write all necessary letters arrange to settle all debts. This valuable service is available to all subscribing members for a nominal fee.
Changing Your Will
The Will you eventually leave is often very different from the one you first prepared. Experience has shown that people would like to change their Wills as often as 10 times during their lifetime. Some of the reasons include:
¨ If you marry after the date of your Will, this will revoke your will. ¨ If you divorce, change your name, address or anyone in your will changes theirs. ¨ If an executor dies or becomes unsuitable to act due to age, ill health etc. ¨ If a beneficiary dies. ¨ If you have specifically bequeathed any property that you subsequently sell, or which changes it's nature. ¨ If you effect or cancel any life assurance policy. ¨ If you have additional children. ¨ If you move and you have severed your tenancy, please ensure your solicitor arranges your new property as Tenants in Common. (50/50). You may wish to change your Executors, Guardians or Beneficiaries. ¨ As you get older you may wish to include gifts to grandchildren, charities or lifelong friends who have shown kindness or assistance.
If you wish at any time to Alter or Revoke your will, you should consult us so that the legal formalities can be observed, otherwise your wishes may not take effect.
Because most solicitors and banks charge every time you need to amend your will, it is often left in its original state and your final wishes remain unknown and not carried out. All subscribing clients are entitled to change the existing contents of their Wills as often as they need without incurring a charge (subject to maximum of four per year), ensuring our clients leave a Will which is up to date and reflects their current wishes. However you need to be aware that certain special clauses, if inserted, will incur a further one-off surcharge if not already paid for when the original Will was prepared.
Safe Storage
It is imperative that once the Will is complete it is stored in a safe place. Most banks and solicitors provide safe storage facilities for client's documents. We can also provide storage facilities for your Will.
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