Wills, Tax & Probate
The Enoch Evans Wills, Tax, and Probate team based across our Walsall 01922 720333, Cannock 01543 466941 and Sutton Coldfield 0121 355 2336 offices are recognised as leading providers of expert private client advice.
Our specialist team can assist you on issues that involve Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, the Administration of Estates and Trusts, Inheritance Tax and Asset Protection. The team prioritise making their professional advice as straight-forward as possible and understand that this can be required by clients at a very difficult time.
2014 saw the team become one of the first in the UK to be accredited as members of the prestigious Law Society Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (‘WIQS’). An accreditation which ensures that all advice provided to clients is of the highest standard. It also recognises that clients are kept informed of progress and dealt with professionally and sensitively. The team are proud to have now had this accreditation for over 10 years
All members of the Wills, Tax, and Probate team complete annual training and assessment, which is essential to retain the WIQS accreditation each year.
Additionally, the team also boasts Fully Accredited members of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, an Affiliate Member of STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and a founding member of the Birmingham Law Society’s Private Client Committee.
In addition to the expert legal advice Enoch Evans Wills Tax and Probate team provide, they also recognise the importance of how they interact with their clients, putting what they need first. As part of this we have developed our own ‘Older and Vulnerable Client Care Charter’, which sets out what clients can expect when they use the Firm.
The Enoch Evans Wills Tax and Probate team are passionate about supporting older and vulnerable people in its communities. Many of the team are Dementia Friends or Dementia Friends Champions – volunteers who encourage others to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in their area. They do this by giving them information about the personal impact of dementia and raising awareness of what they can do to help.
The team, which covers the Black Country, wider West Midlands and Staffordshire, also includes specialists in Court of Protection, Deputyships and the Administration and management of client’s financial affairs through Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Head of Department, Richard Neea is appointed personally as a Deputy by the Court of Protection and also as an Attorney by many clients and ensures that their finances are managed efficiently and in their best interests.
Our Wills, Tax and Probate expertise:
Preparation of all types of Wills
The Wills, Tax and Probate team can help client’s prepare Wills, which make life easier for loved ones, achieve their goals and ensure assets pass how they want after death. It is important that everyone not only has a Will, but that this is reviewed regularly by an expert.
The team are experts in the use of Trusts in Wills and how these can assist in the mitigation of Inheritance Tax and preserving assets for their loved ones through the generations.
The Partners at Enoch Evans have also been trusted to act for our clients as their Executor many times over the years, enabling a stressful time to be made a little easier after the death of a loved one.
Preparation and Registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney (and Enduring Powers of Attorney)
Enoch Evans are firm believers that everyone now needs to have a Lasting Power of Attorney, as well as an up to date Will, as part of getting their personal legal affairs in order.
If something should happen to you that means you can no longer manage your affairs, then having a Lasting Power of Attorney in place will ensure that your loved ones can immediately step in, reducing the stress at an already very difficult time.
Partners Richard Neea, Reiss Matthews, Lisa Flavell and Emily Kenny have many years’ experience in being appointed and acting as Attorneys for clients who have no-one able or willing to take on the responsibility for them.
Please see our note on ‘Everyone needs a Lasting Power of Attorney’ to find out more.
Probate and Estate Administration
After a loved one has passed away it is often a confusing and stressful time and our team of specialist solicitors and lawyers have many years’ experience in assisting clients with navigating this time.
Our teams based in Walsall, Cannock and Sutton Coldfield can assist with obtaining the Grant of Probate and the full administration of an Estate.
We recognise that everyone’s Estate is different and the team at Enoch Evans have both the experience and knowledge to help create a pathway to assist Executors in complying with their duties and efficiently distributing the Estate.
Where there is no Will, the team can advise on the Rules of Intestacy that apply, who should deal with administering the estate (the Administrator) and who it should pass to. The team can also help the Administrator locate all the beneficiaries entitled, with the assistance of experts.
Inheritance Tax planning
The mitigation of Inheritance Tax is a very important concern of our clients and the team at Enoch Evans have the ability to advise you on your own specific Inheritance Tax liability based on your circumstances, taking into account which exemptions apply. Before helping you formulate a plan to reduce any liability you have.
Asset protection and care fees
Asset protection and how the care fees system works is an area that Enoch Evans have been advising on for many years. Our Wills Tax and Probate lawyers are able to look at your specific circumstances and come up with the best way to preserve your wealth for future generations
Creation and administration of Trusts and Settlements
The Wills, Tax & Probate team have a wealth of experience in both the creation of Trusts (also called Settlements) and how these need to be administered once they have been incepted. The Partners in the team are also very experienced in acting as Trustees personally.
Acting as Executor and Trustee
The Partners at Enoch Evans have also been trusted to act for our clients as their Executor many times over the years, enabling a stressful time to be made a little easier after the death of a loved one.
The appointment of the Partners as Trustees enables clients to protect and manage their assets after their death. The Partners can and have experience in acting independently to follow instructions on how you want your assets to be managed, through the generations that follow.
Trust Registration with H M Revenue & Customs
Once a Trust is set up there are now mandatory reporting requirements with H M Revenue & Customs and the team at Enoch Evans are experts in what needs to be done and the deadlines involved. Ensuring that Trustees fulfil their fiduciary duties.
Advising upon and assisting with Trust and Settlements Inheritance Tax Reporting Requirements
Trusts (also called Settlements) are very useful in helping to reduce Inheritance Tax and Asset Protection and we can help clients decide if the use of a Trust is suitable for them.
The team advise and deal with the reporting requirements of Trusts and any Inheritance Tax returns that need to be filed with HM Revenue & Customs including 10 year and exit charges.
Court of Protection Applications
Having a Lasting Power of Attorney is now essential for all, but a Lasting Power of Attorney can only be prepared while someone has the mental capacity to do so.
If sadly, someone already lacks mental capacity, then a Deputyship Order from the Court of Protection is required. The Private Client team at Enoch Evans have the ability to help you decide if a Deputyship Order is needed and if so, assist with obtaining one.
Why choose our Wills, Tax and Probate team?
At Enoch Evans, our team of specialist Wills, Tax and Probate solicitors in Sutton Coldfield, Cannock and Walsall have a wealth of combined expertise and experience in a diverse range of matters. This is supported by our accreditations from the Law Society, The Association of Lifetime Lawyers and STEP.
Our office locations allow us to support local people and businesses, as well as those further afield, having previously worked with clients throughout the UK.
What our clients say about us:
‘We would like to thank you very much for all that you have done, we could not of got through this situation without your support, reassurance and professionalism’.
‘Thank you for your kind and considerate manner in which you dealt with my late mother’s estate. It was difficult to deal with the matter, but with your helpful guidance, we came to a successful conclusion’.
‘Thank you for the professional yet friendly service throughout this process’.
Speak to our Wills, Tax and Probate team today
To speak to Wills, Tax and Probate team in Walsall, Sutton Coldfield, Cannock and the wider West Midlands region, please refer to the contact details for each location, email probate@enoch-evans.co.uk or, alternatively, fill in the enquiry form on the right hand side of the page to ask us a question.