WILLS & PROBATE
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PLANNING YOUR LEGACY
Many people are uncomfortable when it comes to speaking about death and naturally they avoid dealing with making a will.
You can avoid making a will but you cannot avoid dying.
Making a will will make it easier for those you leave behind. It may prove difficult for your loved ones to acknowledge that you have passed. Do not make it even more difficult for them by not making a will and leaving them to make the decision regarding your possessions.
Below are some of the common terms used when draft a will:
ESTATE
Everything you own at the time of your death. This includes physical property, financial accounts, vehicles, personal belongings, and digital assets like cryptocurrency.
WILL
A legally binding document specifying how your estate should be distributed after you pass away. While you can draft one yourself, ensuring it meets all legal standards often requires professional advice.
INTESTATE
The legal status of a person who dies without leaving a valid Will.
EXECUTOR
The person (or people) named in a Will responsible for carrying out its terms. Executors can be relatives, trusted friends, or professionals like solicitors. As they are to assume legal and financial liabilities, you are required to obtain their consent before appointing them as an executor.
ADMINISTRATOR
If you die intestate, an Administrator steps in to handle your estate—typically your closest legally recognized relative or legal spouse. Dying without a Will means unmarried partners have no legal authority over your estate, and if no living relatives exist, your assets pass to the Crown via the Treasury Solicitor.
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
A general term referring to either an Executor or an Administrator handling an estate.
GRANT OF PROBATE
An official document issued by the Probate Office authorizing Executors to manage and distribute assets according to a Will. Banks and financial institutions require this proof to grant access to accounts.
GRANT OF LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION
The equivalent legal document granted to an Administrator when someone dies intestate.
REQUEST YOUR CONSULTATION
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PLANNING YOUR LEGACY
Many people are uncomfortable when it comes to speaking about death and naturally they avoid dealing with making a will.
You can avoid making a will but you cannot avoid dying.
Making a will will make it easier for those you leave behind. It may prove difficult for your loved ones to acknowledge that you have passed. Do not make it even more difficult for them by not making a will and leaving them to make the decision regarding your possessions.
Below are some of the common terms used when draft a will:
ESTATE
Everything you own at the time of your death. This includes physical property, financial accounts, vehicles, personal belongings, and digital assets like cryptocurrency.
WILL
A legally binding document specifying how your estate should be distributed after you pass away. While you can draft one yourself, ensuring it meets all legal standards often requires professional advice.
INTESTATE
The legal status of a person who dies without leaving a valid Will.
EXECUTOR
The person (or people) named in a Will responsible for carrying out its terms. Executors can be relatives, trusted friends, or professionals like solicitors. As they are to assume legal and financial liabilities, you are required to obtain their consent before appointing them as an executor.
ADMINISTRATOR
If you die intestate, an Administrator steps in to handle your estate—typically your closest legally recognized relative or legal spouse. Dying without a Will means unmarried partners have no legal authority over your estate, and if no living relatives exist, your assets pass to the Crown via the Treasury Solicitor.
PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE
A general term referring to either an Executor or an Administrator handling an estate.
GRANT OF PROBATE
An official document issued by the Probate Office authorizing Executors to manage and distribute assets according to a Will. Banks and financial institutions require this proof to grant access to accounts.
GRANT OF LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION
The equivalent legal document granted to an Administrator when someone dies intestate.
REQUEST YOUR CONSULTATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does the process take?
Straightforward transactions are typically expected to take around ****** weeks though we aim for *** to **** weeks where possible. More complex matters would take longer than 12 weeks. There are a number of factors that affect the times it takes to complete such as :
Reason
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Why do I need a will?
Having a Will gives you complete control over your assets, ensuring that your money, property, and personal possessions pass directly to the specific people you choose. It also makes the estate administration process much more straightforward for your family, preventing the confusion and potential disputes that arise when default Intestacy Rules decide how your belongings are distributed.
If you have dependents under the age of 18, a Will allows you to appoint legal guardians to care for them and specify the exact age at which they will receive their inheritance. Above all, taking this responsible step provides invaluable peace of mind for both you and your family, relieving them of unnecessary administrative burdens during an already difficult time.
Do I need to make a new will if I move house or purchase a new property?
Moving house is a key trigger to review your Will. While a simple move might only require adding a note with your new address, significant life events often accompany a move—such as getting married or going through a divorce—which can necessitate drafting a new Will entirely. As a general rule, you should review your Will every 3 to 5 years, or whenever major life changes occur.
Do I need a new will if I am divorced?
Divorce does not revoke a Will, but it alters how your assets are handled. Under the law, your ex-spouse is treated as though they passed away on the date your marriage or civil partnership was officially dissolved, meaning they automatically forfeit any inheritance left to them in your current Will.
How does the process work?
Here is what you can expect from our process:
Initial Setup: Once scheduled, our team will send client care paperwork to review prior to your consultation.
Consultation & Advice: During the meeting, an experienced solicitor will discuss your circumstances and offer tailored guidance. All Will consultations include advice on potential Inheritance Tax liabilities based on your current assets.
Draft & Approval: We will prepare a draft Will for your review and approval before scheduling a final appointment to sign the document.
Registration & Storage: Once executed, we store your Will securely in our vault and register it with the National Will Register.
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This website is owned and operated by Esvi Limited, registered in England and Wales, company number 16281685.
Our legal professionals provide our services through the solicitor's firm, Parity Legal Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) under ID Number 658977. Esvi Limited is not regulated by the SRA.
Financial services are provided from a number of our trusted and regulated partners.
ADDRESS
Suite 3, DHC Business Centre
226 Dogsthorpe Road
Peterborough
PE1 3PB