Because we’re a multi-disciplinary law firm, we have in-house expertise in all areas. We deal with everything from family law, to commercial property, to dispute resolution, and we are also able to draw on the specialist skills of accountants, financial advisers, investment managers, private banks and barristers, to benefit you.

We have considerable experience in managing high value and cross-border estates and international wealth too, so understand the challenges they can present when dealing with estate planning, powers of attorney and estate administration generally and our contested probate team and inheritance disputes team are always on hand to help in the case of disagreements arising from the interpretation of a will or the division of an estate.

One of the things we are most proud of is that our clients are loyal to us – they trust us. To earn that trust we’ve taken time to get to know them, to appreciate their concerns and identify their priorities and we continue to maintain that trust long term.

Each member of our team is available at our offices in Carlisle, Cockermouth, and Newcastle and we are also very happy to visit our clients at home. We can offer a nationwide service too.  Just get in touch and we’ll be happy to help you.

FAQs

  • What do I do if I am asked to take care of arrangements after a death?
    • Register the death at the Registry of Births, Marriages and Deaths
    • Contact a funeral director to make the funeral arrangements
    • Put together a list of assets valued as at the date of death
    • Ascertain whether the deceased has any debts
    • Take this information to a solicitor or direct to your local Probate Registry if you feel comfortable in dealing with these formalities
  • What is an executor?

    The person who you choose to be responsible for your funeral arrangements and who will ensure that your wishes, as contained in your Will, are followed. Members of your family and beneficiaries can be executors.

  • Should I have a Will?

    It is preferable, so that you can specify who is to benefit after your death. If your net assets are above the nil rate band you may have to pay inheritance tax.

    Also, executors under a Will can deal with your assets immediately after death. Administrators on an intestacy (where there is no Will) have to wait until they are given authority following submission of the documents to the Probate Registry.

  • Who can witness my Will?

    Anyone over 18. If, however, a beneficiary witnesses a Will, they will lose their inheritance but the remaining part of the Will is still valid.

  • Can I leave a property to someone just for their lifetime and also say who receives it after their death?

    Yes, it is reasonably straightforward for your Will to create ‘trusts’ by which you can provide for two or more people to have the benefit of an interest in succession.

  • I already have a Will but am about to get married. What should I do?

    You should make a new Will. Marriage automatically revokes an existing Will unless that Will is made specifically in anticipation of marriage. Therefore, either make a new Will before the wedding or shortly afterwards.