Associated Services

When a relative unfortunately dies, administering their estate is an important step to undertake.

In some circumstances, this is more difficult because there is no Will or the Will is somehow invalid. Dunn & Baker Solicitors can guide you through the steps you should take.

When a death occurs, the assets of the deceased are distributed. This can be made simple where a well drafted and up-to-date Will is in place with the assistance of the appointed of Executors. Where there is no Will or the Will drafted is invalid, this requires an administrator. Often, this is the next of kin. If this is you, you are required to distribute the assets in accordance with the relevant laws.

At Dunn & Baker Solicitors, we advise you how to do this. We can deal with your questions and make everything easy for you to understand – we have some of the best lawyers in the UK. In some circumstances, you may ask us to act as the estate administrator. Whatever your situation, we can guide you through the process. We keep things simple. We promise to keep in regular contact with you and will always use plain English.

If you need support administering an estate and you aren’t sure what to do, let Dunn & Baker Solicitors give you the answers. Contact us for a FREE initial consultation.

Please click HERE to view our probate fee guide. 

Solicitors can help you think through your plans and their financial impact.

Our aim is to ensure that your loved ones are cared for when you no longer can, including financially.

Planning for life after your death may be difficult to think about. However, it is simply taking care of your family and their futures. Your estate will be subject to Inheritance Tax thresholds and other matters. Planning now allows you to consider reliefs, exemptions and how best to mitigate against tax. Having a Will ensures that your chosen Executors know how to distribute out your estate exactly as you planned and that this is done in a financially efficient way.

Taxes are one certainty in life and they apply on death too. Tax planning involves thinking about your home, the value of any investments, trusts and the making of gifts to limit any tax implications. At Dunn & Baker Solicitors, we understand the rules and implications of these decisions. We make a complex area of law and financial planning simple and use plain English to make certain you understand any decisions made.

Contact us for a FREE initial consultation and begin planning for your family’s future today.

Certainty Will Search / National Wills Register

Ensuring that your loved ones can find your Will after your passing is crucial, as it guarantees that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes, rather than under the default rules of intestacy. Intestacy rules may not align with your personal desires and can sometimes lead to unintended consequences for your beneficiaries.

Registering your Will is a straightforward process that records the existence and storage location of your Will, without retaining a copy. This registration is discreet; it neither reveals the contents of your Will nor its registration status to unauthorised individuals.

In the event your executors, beneficiaries, or family members cannot locate your Will or forget where it is stored, a Certainty Will Search can be conducted. This search directs inquiries to the solicitor, Will writer or holder, or storage facility where your Will is registered. The search process respects your privacy and the integrity of your Will: only verified executors or beneficiaries who provide a death certificate will be granted access to the details of your Will’s location by the Will writer or holder.

By registering your Will and ensuring it is easily retrievable, you can provide yourself with the peace of mind in knowing that your loved ones will have the clarity they need during a challenging time.

Our charges for registering your Will on the National Wills Register:

Single Will – £25 plus VAT

Mirrored Wills – £45 plus VAT

In an uncertain world, it’s reassuring to know that our wishes will be respected even if we’re not in a position to make our own decisions. That’s why many people choose to create a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to provide protection should an accident or ill health prevent them from making decisions in the future.

An LPA is a legal document that allows another person to make decisions about your wellbeing and affairs on your behalf. Appointing an attorney before you actually need one gives you the peace of mind that your affairs will be managed how you want them to be. It’s not possible to create an LPA once you’re unable to make your own decisions. If you think you would like an LPA, it is something that you should consider putting in place as soon as possible.

There are different types of LPAs, depending on the areas of your life you would like an attorney to have control of. These are known as a Property & Financial Affairs LPA and a Health & Welfare LPA. To be valid, an LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

At Dunn & Baker Solicitors, we can help with all aspects of creating an LPA – from choosing an attorney and deciding what type of LPA is right for you, to correctly registering the documentation.

If you’d like to find out more, give one of our legal experts a call today for a FREE initial consultation.

Trusts are legal mechanisms that can be made during both your lifetime as well as on death through your Will. They can help to protect your assets, both in relation to Inheritance Tax and also various other future financial drains such as care home fees. They can also help to protect your loved ones, ensuring that they have financial stability for their future.

In creating a Trust, you will appoint Trustees who will look after the Trust assets in line with your wishes which will be clearly stated within the Trust. There are various reasons why you may want to make a Trust, for example:

• Protecting assets from Tax
• For the benefit of Disabled individuals whilst protecting their own benefits
• For children or grandchildren
• If you have remarried and have children from a previous marriage
• For charities and clubs
• To provide for individuals that are not able to look after their own finances

Trusts can be complex and therefore it is incredibly important that you ‘get it right’. At Dunn & Baker Solicitors, our legal experts are well placed to offer you the advice you need and to ensure that matters are dealt with as simply as possible. Why not contact us for a FREE initial consultation.

Life is full of twists and turns and none of us can be sure what the future holds. That’s why creating a Will makes good sense.

For many of us, making a Will is something that we know we should do but never quite get around to. Of course, it’s important not to put it off and the good news is that at Dunn & Baker Solicitors, making a Will could be much quicker and easier than you think.

As more and more people realise the importance of making a Will, it’s no longer seen as something just for the elderly or ill but simply part of sound financial planning for any family or individual.

With a Will in place you can relax safe in the knowledge that your wishes will be carried out should anything happen to you. Making a Will now also avoids legal problems arising for your family in the future. Often, people assume that their money and possessions will automatically pass to their partners or chosen family members – but without a Will, this isn’t always the case.

Our legal experts have a wealth of experience in creating Wills and make the process fast, straightforward and hassle-free. Once in place, you’ll be able to relax knowing that you’ve planned for whatever the future may bring.

Our caring, friendly legal experts take the stress out of making a Will. They know the questions to ask and will guide you gently through the process. Whether your affairs are straightforward or more complex, our Will writing service ensures that your Will is valid and right for you, your family and your loved ones. We can also store your Will safely without charge – protecting it from loss or damage.

Don’t worry if you’ve never discussed Wills before – our friendly legal experts will put you at ease, explaining everything clearly with no legal jargon.

So whether you’d like to create a Will or would just like to find out more about our Will writing service, contact us for a FREE initial consultation.

The terms of a Will can cause distress. If there isn’t one, this can be difficult too. Dunn & Baker Solicitors can advise on any matter where a Will or inheritance is in dispute.

When a loved one passes leaving a Will, disagreement can arise because of the terms of that Will. Disputes can arise about who or what is included or excluded and sometimes whether there is a Will at all. Naturally, emotions run high and the only way to sort things out is by seeking expert guidance. Dunn & Baker Solicitors can help you do things the right way, so you can have total peace of mind.

At Dunn & Baker Solicitors, our role is to offer calm, friendly and professional advice. If you dispute any part of a Will, or the entire estate, we can explain what your rights are. We do the same if it is being disputed by another party. Options, costs and timescales will be discussed before we start work for you. Disputing an estate is a complex area of law. In everything that we do for you, we will explain using language and terminology that is as easy to understand as possible. It is our job is to ensure you feel completely at ease.