Wills and Estates

Tughans' Private Client Department offers a wide-ranging and specialist service to all our clients, including our corporate client portfolio enabling them to have access to all their legal needs from one source.

Expertise is offered in Wills, trusts, gifts, estate planning, the administration of estates, and Enduring Powers of Attorney and Office of Care and Protection applications.

The department works closely with other specialist lawyers in the firm drawing on their expertise where it is needed in areas such as pensions, property, commercial, employment and dispute resolution.

The main areas of practice within the department are:

• Wills - It is recommended that our clients make Wills to ensure that their estates will pass to their chosen beneficiaries in the most tax efficient manner. Without a Will your estate will pass in accordance with the Rules of Intestacy which prescribes the order of persons entitled to your estate and this excludes your partner if you are not married or in a civil partnership. Using our specialist knowledge we can prepare a suitable Will to ensure your wishes are carried out.
• Estate Planning - We provide advice to clients through lifetime gifts, Wills and Trusts. This service may involve consultation with accountants and independent financial advisers.
• Trusts - We provide advice on the setting up, administration and eventual winding up of trusts.
• Estate Administration - We offer an efficient service covering all aspects of estate administration of all sizes, from initial advice to completion. This may involve liaison with the HM Revenue & Customs, accountants, surveyors, valuers, stockbrokers and financial advisors.
• Enduring Powers of Attorney - This document ensures the management of your affairs during your lifetime should you become frail or suffer mental incapacity. The document is prepared in advance and, whilst our more elderly clients use this service, it is also encouraged for the consideration of our younger and business clients.
• Controllership Applications and Office of Care and Protection matters - If someone who is, or is becoming, mentally incapacitated has not already created an Enduring Power of Attorney, and you wish to manage their financial affairs, you will need to apply to the Office of Care and Protection to be appointed as their controller. We can advise you upon the procedure and assist with the application to the Court.

For further information, please contact a member of our Private Client team.