Wills, Trusts and Probate Solicitors

Making a Will - and keeping it up to date as your circumstances change - is the best way to ensure your assets are passed on exactly as you intend. Whilst everyone should have an up-to-date Will, it is especially important if you have children under 18, as it allows you to make vital decisions about their future, including appointing a guardian to care for them in the event of your death. Our specialist Wills, Trusts and Probate Solicitors are experts at preparing legally valid Wills that reflect your wishes, protect your loved ones, and reduce the risk of future disputes.

Lasting Powers of Attorney allow someone you trust to make decisions about your property, finances, health, and welfare if you lose the ability to do so. Without an LPA in place, your spouse or family will face a complex, costly, and often stressful legal process in order to make vital decisions on your behalf. Our expert solicitors will guide you through every stage, from selecting your attorney to drafting and registering your documents, ensuring your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected.

Careful estate planning and the strategic use of available tax reliefs can significantly reduce your inheritance tax burden, helping ensure your loved ones benefit fully from the assets you leave behind. Our highly experienced Wills, Trusts and Probate Solicitors will take the time to understand your goals and provide clear, tailored advice to help you plan with confidence.

Trusts are a highly effective tool for managing and protecting wealth and assets. Our experienced Wills, Trusts and Probate Solicitors provide clear, tailored advice on creating and administering trusts, helping you preserve and pass on wealth efficiently, ensure your wishes are respected, provide for vulnerable beneficiaries, and plan effectively for the future.

Dealing with the emotional and practical challenges following the death of a loved one is always difficult. Seeking expert advice can relieve the burden of administering their estate on your own. At Scott Bailey, our specialist team will guide you through the process, working sensitively and efficiently to minimise stress for you and your loved ones and bringing matters to a satisfactory conclusion as swiftly as possible.

If somebody loses mental capacity and does not have a Lasting Power of Attorney in place, a loved one or suitable professional must apply to the Court of Protection for deputyship. This is a time-consuming and often costly process, but it is essential to ensure decisions can be made in that person’s best interests. At Scott Bailey, our specialist Wills, Trusts and Probate Solicitors can support you through every stage of a deputyship application, providing expert guidance and clarity at a difficult time. Alongside deputyship applications, we can also assist with other Court of Protection matters, including gifting applications, the execution of Deeds of Variation, and applications for Statutory Wills.

When the person who created an Enduring Power of Attorney – known as the donor – starts to lose or has lost mental capacity, their attorney must register the EPA with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can continue making financial decisions on the donor's behalf. Our specialist solicitors have extensive experience handling EPA registrations and can guide you through the process clearly and efficiently.

As a business owner, having a clear succession plan in place allows you to respond quickly to changing circumstances and helps protect your business, employees, and long-term interests. At Scott Bailey, our Wills, Trusts and Probate Lawyers work closely with our Corporate and Commercial team to create practical, tax-efficient succession plans that safeguard your business and ensure it passes smoothly to your intended beneficiaries.

If a loved one held UK assets but their estate was administered in another Commonwealth jurisdiction, you may need to reseal the foreign Grant of Probate in England and Wales. We can guide you through the resealing process efficiently, helping you access bank accounts, sell property, or transfer investments held in the UK.

Administering estates with international elements can be complex, particularly when dealing with assets or shares held abroad. We can assist with overseas estate matters, including US shareholdings and probate in Guernsey and the Isle of Man. For Jersey-based estates, we can coordinate fast-track applications with a local lawyer where required, acting as your main point of contact throughout.

Later-life planning can involve sensitive decisions around care, capacity, and financial protection. We support elderly clients and their families with clear, practical advice on Wills, LPAs, care fee planning, and wider estate matters. As members of STEP, Lifetime Lawyers, and Dementia Friends, we are recognised for our expertise in this area and our commitment to delivering advice with empathy and professionalism.