Wills, Tax and Probate Solicitors

Tax planning and trusts can be used to manage how wealth is protected during your lifetime and passed on to the next generation, often reducing inheritance tax and safeguarding assets from future risks. Hatch Brenner’s wills and probate solicitors start by understanding your financial circumstances and long-term aims, then advise on appropriate strategies such as lifetime gifting, updating wills, and setting up trusts where suitable. The team explains the tax implications clearly, prepares all necessary documentation, and can manage trusts on an ongoing basis, providing practical, joined-up advice to help preserve wealth with confidence.

Probate and estate administration involve identifying who is legally responsible for an estate, valuing and safeguarding assets, dealing with tax and creditors, and distributing the estate in accordance with a will or the rules of intestacy. Hatch Brenner’s probate solicitors can either guide executors through the process or handle the administration on their behalf, managing everything from obtaining the Grant of Representation to final estate accounts. With experience across estates of all sizes and complexities, the team provides clear, sensitive support at a difficult time while ensuring all legal and tax obligations are properly met.

Legal advice should be sought as soon as possible if there are concerns about the validity or fairness of a will, or the way an estate is being administered, as strict time limits and complex rules apply. Hatch Brenner’s wills and probate solicitors provide sensitive, early advice, assessing issues such as capacity, undue influence, or reasonable financial provision, and explaining funding options from the outset. Drawing on expertise from both probate and litigation specialists, the team focuses on resolving disputes pragmatically, including through mediation where appropriate, while protecting clients’ interests during what is often a difficult and emotional time.

A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to appoint trusted people to make decisions about your finances, property, and health and welfare if you are unable to do so yourself. Our Private Client team can guide you through the process, help you decide who to appoint, how they should act, and whether any preferences or restrictions should apply. The team prepares the documents, arranges signing, registers the powers with the Office of the Public Guardian, and offers fixed fees and secure storage, giving reassurance that your affairs can be managed in line with your wishes if the need arises.

The Court of Protection becomes involved when a person lacks capacity and has not put Lasting Powers of Attorney in place, making it necessary to appoint a Deputy to manage their financial or welfare affairs. Hatch Brenner’s solicitors guide families through this complex process, preparing and submitting all required court forms, advising on who should be notified. The team can also act as Deputy where needed and provide ongoing support, including annual reporting to the Office of the Public Guardian, ensuring the individual’s affairs are managed lawfully, sensitively, and in their best interests.