Blight, Broad & Skinnard have been advising clients on Wills and Trusts, Probate and Tax Planning ever since this firm was founded.

Inheritance Tax
The recent increase in property values means that anyone who owns a home when they die, risks leaving an estate worth more than the Inheritance Tax nil-rate band (currently £312,000). With Inheritance Tax payable at 40% on anything over the first £312,000 (as at April 2008), we can help you make a Will, or set up a Trust to mitigate the Inheritance Tax on your death. We are able to help you with basic tax planning through a Will, or tax planning during your lifetime. Nick Skinnard is a member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners. Peter Skinnard won the Law Society Prize for the best paper in his year on Probate and Tax matters and has practised in that field for 50 years.

Intestacy
If you do not have a Will, your loved ones may not inherit your estate, your family may be left to sort out difficult problems, or make avoidable tax payments and your wishes may not be carried out.

If you do not have a Will, your estate will be distributed in accordance with the Intestacy Rules, which could result in situations you would not want. For example, if you are single or widowed and have no relatives, the Crown would inherit your estate, so you may prefer to make a Will to ensure that a more worthy cause benefits.

Change in circumstances
Even if you have made a Will, you will need to make another if you marry or divorce, as your existing Will or some of the provisions within it may be invalidated or your financial circumstances may alter, placing you at risk of significant Inheritance Tax liability. It is particularly important to have a Will if either you or your partner or spouse have children from a previous marriage or relationship, or if you wish to leave your estate or part of it to anyone other than your immediate family.

Living Wills
Living Wills set out your wishes should you become incapable of communication and wish to have a say whether you are resuscitated or kept on a life support machine. Living Wills are becoming increasingly popular and may help your family to make the right decision for you.

Our Fees
We presently charge £100.00 plus VAT for a straightforward Will or £130.00 plus VAT to prepare two individual Wills for a couple. For more complicated Wills or specialist tax advice, you will be charged at the firm's hourly rate in accordance with our Terms and Conditions (available upon request)..

We are happy to visit local clients at home, or to take your instructions by telephone and will be pleased to give you a free estimate, should you require a more complicated Will or Trust or specialist tax advice.

You need to have a fair idea of what you want to achieve in your Will and the information we require to advise you is set out in our Will Information Sheet, which will be given to you when you consult us.

Death and Probate
Probate is the name for the official court order that enables a deceased's estate to be administered. In order to obtain Probate, various Inheritance Tax and Probate Court forms have to be prepared.

The paperwork and formalities when someone has died may seem a worry and burden; we have the expertise and tact to assist at this difficult time.

Please phone or contact Peter Skinnard or Janice Smith who will be pleased to assist you and give a clear indication of our fees if you would find our help useful. Please note that you will need to bring your passport or driving licence and a recent utility bill to your first appointment for identification in accordance with the requirements of the current Money Laundering Regulations.