MOLESWORTHS WARN OF DIY PROBATE

Date online: 21/06/2012

It is entirely possible to apply for probate and deal with an estate, without seeing a lawyer or seeking professional legal advice, but it’s not without major risks, warns Louise Salisbury of Molesworths Solicitors, who is a member of the legal group, Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE).

Many professionally drafted wills contain trusts to save tax, to avoid those who inherit paying care fees and to reduce the likelihood of potential disputes. SFE members have noticed an increase in ‘DIYers’ returning to them to seek advice when they have made a mistake or find the paperwork too tricky.

Louise, Partner at Molesworths and Head of the Wills & Probate Department said:
“In all but the most straightforward of cases, probate work can be very complex and it is important for people to seek timely specialist legal advice that can actually save you money and worry.’

Louise continued:
“We will offer to work in partnership with the deceased’s family to help and support them with the legal and technical work. Our association with the SFE demonstrates that we are committed to offering a premium service to our elder clients at all times and we can even add value to the families work, for example by identifying cases where money is owed to the estate for care funding, which should have been met by the NHS and assist in making a claim”

If you require any further information or would like any assistance with Will, Probate, Trusts or Inheritance Tax Planning then please contact us.

The contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article.