Thinking about what happens after your death can feel upsetting.
But with qualified advice and a sensitive approach, we’ll help you take control and promise to make will writing, estate planning and probate an easier process for you and your loved ones.
What is estate planning?
Everyone has an estate. Your estate is made up of the things you own – for example your furniture, car, home, investments… even your clothes. Estate planning is the process of deciding how you want your estate to be shared out after you die and creating instructions to make sure this happens. It also includes things like appointing a power of attorney and deciding who would look after children or other dependents if you die or become unable to look after them yourself. Writing a will is one of the steps involved in estate planning.
Why do I need a will?
Having a will makes things easier for close family and friends when you die. It also gives you control over what happens. By writing a will, you can specify what happens to your possessions, who will care for dependents and even what your funeral should be like. Without a will, your estate will be divided up in line with the government’s guidelines and this may mean that people or causes important to you are ignored. It will also mean that the courts decide what happens to your children or any other dependents – something that can be especially upsetting.
What is probate?
Probate is the legal process of administering someone’s estate after they have died. The executor – the person nominated to administer the estate – must apply for a ‘grant of probate’. This is an official document that gives the executor authority to close bank accounts, sell off assets and redistribute funds. It can only be applied for once the executor has confirmed the value of the estate of the person who has died. Paying inheritance tax is part of probate. We are currently unable to do probate but will refer you to our recommended probate specialists.
How we can help with wills, estate planning & probate
With a team of qualified estate planning specialists and will writers, IMC can give you advice to help you plan for your future and that of your loved ones.
We’ll help you avoid the risks associated with a poorly drawn-up will and ensure you consider all aspects of your estate. This way you get peace of mind that your wishes will be honoured and that those who matter most to you will be taken care of in the way you want.
We can also support you with life insurance to make sure your loved ones will be financially secure when you die with the flexibility to stop working if needed.
Although we can’t currently help you with probate, we can refer you to a trusted specialist instead who will be able to guide you through this process.
Want to talk things through?
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020 8392 6111
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Our step-by-step Guide on what’s involved in writing a will
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