The team is dedicated to these areas of law and therefore offers a high level of technical expertise together with practical solutions and plain spoken advice. We are happy to talk with you about the services we offer on a no obligation basis. Please contact us to discuss your situation further. Our areas of expertise include:
Wills
The only way to ensure that your loved ones inherit what you intend is by making a Will. Having no Will means that the intestacy rules will determine the division of your estate and your beneficiaries may end up sharing your estate with relatives or others whom you didn’t intend to benefit. A Will enables you not only to direct your assets, but also to protect them by the incorporation of trusts. Many problems including family and tax issues can be avoided with careful planning, which our team can guide you through.
Trusts and Estate Planning
Trusts are an extremely versatile device which can provide a solution to a variety of life’s problems. From inheritance tax to the protection of family members to residential care home fees, trusts can be used to protect assets both during our lifetimes and after our deaths. They can also help in managing your business interests and to balance the competing interests of spouses and children. Trusts have a particular relevance during times of complex family arrangements. We are able to provide advice and assistance in the following areas:
- Estate planning and lifetime gifts
- Protection of children and bereaved spouses
- Warehousing of assets
- Protection of nil rate band for unmarried couples
- Making best possible use of IHT reliefs and exemptions
- Freezing value of appreciable assets
- Protecting assets against care home fees
Powers of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a document allowing you to appoint somebody of your choice to deal with your financial affairs or personal welfare if you are unable to do so yourself. An LPA continues even if you become mentally incapable through illness, accident, or confusion. With vast experience in this area of law, the team can expertly guide you through the process, ensuring your best interests are protected. The team can assist you with the following:
- Preparation of Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Certificate Providing
- Registering the Power with the Office of the Public Guardian
- Advance Directives (Living Wills)
- Registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney
Probate and the Administration of Estates
The practical and legal steps that need to be taken on the death of a loved-one can be daunting. On top of this Executors can be personally liable if an estate is not dealt with correctly. We can help by either providing advice to Executors and family members or by taking on the day-to-day administration of an estate ourselves, thereby removing some of the administrative burden. We are able to provide advice and assistance in the following areas:
- Grants of Probate
- Intestacy (where the deceased has not left a Will)
- Disputes relating to Wills or to administrations generally
- Inheritance Tax
- Estates with agricultural or business assets
- Estates with foreign assets
Please also see our Probate disputes and Deputyships and Court of Protection pages.
Leathes Prior has formidable experience in the first-class William Riley, STEP-qualified. Riley acted as executor of a £2m estate. Barrie Baker and Tessa Bonser are rising stars.
Thought I would drop you a quick note to provide some feedback on my family's engagement with you on handling my mother’s probate and in particular Claire Woolliscroft. Throughout the whole process Claire has been very responsive and professional. If I ever needed to clarify anything Claire made it very clear and concise on what options we had and next steps. Working in customer support, I stress to my team the importance of going the extra yard for customers and making sure they have a great customer experience which in turn hopefully leads to repeat Business. That has certainly been the case here and I will have no hesitation in recommending Leathes Prior to family and friends. Great job well done!
They give sound and practical advice on a range of private client matters with some strong lawyers on their books.
Leathes Prior delivers outstanding service with coherent advice. Recommended are the timely and approachable Tessa Bonser and William Riley, who provides advice of the highest quality.
Dedicated private client team in the Norwich area known for acting for a number of wealthy individuals and families. Acts on the full range of legal services including trust and estate planning, wills, probate and powers of attorney. Also has strength in dealing with probate disputes, deputyship issues and Court of Protection matters.
The Cole & Co merger brought Barrie Baker’s 12 years’ experience to Leathes Prior’s accessible, prompt and reliable team. Friendly lawyers Tessa Bonser and William Riley have a lovely relaxed style.
The Legal 500 recognises that the team listens carefully, is very professional and makes clients feel comfortable.
At Leathes Prior, STEP-accredited William Riley acts as executor for numerous high-value and complex estates and serves as a professional deputy for many individuals. Tessa Bonser is now a qualified member of STEP and leads the firm’s trusts work. Barrie Barker, who has more than 30 years’ experience in private client matters, focuses on wills and estate administration. Claire Woolliscroft mainly handles Court of Protection matters.