Services | For Individuals

Private Client

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Empathy and Experience

Our Private Client lawyers provide legal advice tailored to your personal circumstances, in a clear and cost-effective manner. We work closely as a team to ensure you are assisted by the right lawyer for your circumstances.

We pride ourselves on our ability to deal with a full range of private client work such as:

Drafting a Will to protect your Estate for your loved ones.
Making Powers of Attorney to choose who can assist you in the management of your affairs or as a precautionary measure should you lose capacity in the future.
Obtaining Grant of Probate or administering an Estate to a professional manner.

However we can help, we are with you every step of the way to ensure the process is as stress-free as possible.

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Our Private Client team have the legal knowledge and experience to draft both simple and complex Wills, explaining in a clear manner the tax implications for your Estate, and what options you should consider for yours and your loved ones’ best interests to reduce disputes following death. 

We can act as your certificate provider and draft Lasting Powers of Attorney to ensure you have chosen the appropriate people to assist you in managing your personal affairs and welfare should the need ever arise. We can also advise you on the need of a business Lasting Power of Attorney if you are a shareholder and would like your attorneys to make decisions on your behalf regarding your shares.  

Our compassionate and experienced lawyers can assist in administering an estate in a professional manner, ensuring that HMRC deadlines and formalities are met, taking away the stress and pressure from personal representatives during this difficult time.  

We can work collaboratively with our other departments to provide tailored advice under one roof. We also have good connections with other experts such as Independent Financial Advisers and accountants so that you receive a comprehensive and integrated service.

“I was very pleased to have found a firm of solicitors with so much understanding and practical ability which set our minds at rest.”

We recognise how important it is that you have confidence in your legal advisor. Therefore, if you would like to have an initial discussion before deciding how to proceed, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Alternatively contact individual team members directly on Our People page.

If you would like to arrange such a meeting, please contact us:

01892 510 222

info@bussmurton.co.uk

Wills

Our Will process begins with an initial instruction meeting where we discuss the value of your Estate, your wishes and priorities. During this meeting we will give you clear Inheritance Tax advice, discuss the use of Trusts and Estate planning if required and the different options suitable to you.

We also have good connections with Independent Financial Advisers and accountants should you require additional services. We can meet you together with your Independent Financial Adviser to discuss Estate Planning to mitigate and reduce Inheritance Tax and any other taxes on death.

Once we have had our initial meeting, we usually aim to send you a draft Will, together with a detailed covering letter explaining matters discussed at our initial meeting, within 10 working days (unless agreed otherwise) for your consideration and approval. Once you have approved the draft Will, we can then arrange a meeting to finalise and sign the Will. We will act as your two independent witnesses and thereafter store your signed Will at our off-site storage facility free of charge to ensure it is not lost or destroyed.

Please contact us if you have any questions or if you would like to make an initial appointment.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are documents where you can appoint people known as attorneys to assist you in managing either your financial or medical decisions. If you were to lack mental capacity, then your attorney(s) will act in your best interest and manage either your property and financial affairs and/or your health and welfare.

Our LPA process begins with an initial instruction meeting where we discuss your Estate, your wishes and priorities. We will give you clear advice about the use and implication of an LPA and what preferences or instructions may be appropriate for your affairs.

Once we have had our initial meeting, we aim to send you draft LPAs and a detailed covering letter within 10 working days (unless agreed otherwise) for your consideration and approval. Once approved, we will arrange to meet to go through and sign the LPAs. We will act as your certificate provider and witness. We will then arrange for your chosen attorneys and replacement attorneys to sign the LPAs. Thereafter, we will register your LPAs with the Office of Public Guardian. Once registered, we store the LPAs free of charge to ensure they are kept safe and are not abused.

Probate

We understand that it can be emotional and time-consuming dealing with a loved one’s Estate. We are here to take away the stress and pressure from you. We have experienced lawyers who have dealt with a variety of Estates ranging in size and complexity to assist you.

We can assist by way of a fixed fee for obtaining Grant of Representation only. This is a legal document which authorises the Executors/Administrators to close or transfer the Deceased’s assets and deal with the Estate in accordance with the Will/rules of intestacy. This process will also include completing an Inheritance Tax account to HMRC if required.

In addition to completing an Inheritance Tax Account and applying for Grant of Representation, we can also fully administer the Estate, which includes:

calling in all assets,
settling all liabilities,
dealing with the Estate’s income tax and CGT affairs,
dealing with any Inheritance Tax including any corrective account and relief for loss on sale of land/shares,
preparing detailed Estate Accounts,
notifying beneficiaries of their entitlement,
and distributing the Estate in accordance with the Will.

Please contact us if you have any queries or to discuss the Estate in question.

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We Can Help You With:

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Will Drafting
Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax Planning
Estate Planning
Making and Registering Lasting Powers of Attorney
Registering Enduring Powers of Attorney
Making a General Power of Attorney
Applying for a Court of Protection Order (often referred to as Deputyship)
Applying for a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration on a Papers Only Basis
Administering an Estate on a Full-Service Basis
Trust Advice and Creation of Trust Deed