Wills and Probate
Update Covid-19
Following the recent government advice, we have made changes to the way that Garner & Hancock work which may affect you:
Our offices and staff remain fully contactable through our office number 0208 232 9560 between the hours of 9am-5.30pm
If an appointment can be done over the phone we will attempt to arrange this. Please do not come to the office unless you have a prior, confirmed arrangement.
Please bear with us if there is a delay in responding to your correspondence, we will attempt to keep delays to a minimum.
Send all documents/correspondence electronically.
We will do our utmost to ensure there is minimal impact on our support for you. Please do get in touch if you have any concerns, we're happy to help.
Our expert team of advisers, here to help you
Our private client department is headed by the firm’s partner Nigel George TEP. We offer a professional and cost-effective service. Our wills, trusts and probate team deals with planning ahead – whether by wills, trusts or Lasting Powers of Attorney, and also assists clients with legal and tax affairs in the event of a death.
Our probate lawyers form an experienced and highly qualified team of solicitors who can help you to ensure that you know precisely what will happen to your assets when you die. If you have children you can indicate who will look after them and how they will be financially provided for. Our fully comprehensive private client service include:
- Making a will
- Tax planning
- Grant of probate
- Intestacy law
- Court of protection
- Deputyship advice
- Trusts
- Care Home Funding – Legal Advice & Information
- Contested probate
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
Key personnel:
Nigel George is a solicitor and a member of STEP. He has over 30 years experience in advising clients on probate, wills, powers of attorney and tax planning. He is a Dementia Champion, a member of Hospice UK and is a director of Ageing with Optimism which helps elderly and vulnerable individuals
Jakub Kotan is a solicitor and is currently studying to gain full STEP qualification. He advises on estate planning, wills, trusts, LPAs and probate matters. He also has experience in dealing with cross-border and contentious probate matters.
Matthew Goddard is a paralegal assisting with a range of matters. He graduated from Brunel University in 2018 and he is currently studying a post-graduate law degree at BPP University.
At Garner & Hancock, we specialise in making a will, contested probate, grant of probate, intestacy law and inheritance tax planning matters and disputed wills.
Should you have any concerns or queries regarding the Court of Protection or you are planning on making an appeal to the court and require legal advice and guidance, contact our team.
Estate and Trust Property Team
Our wills, trusts and probate Lawyers have a wealth of experience in helping people through what can be a difficult time, dealing with estate and trust property and dealing with complex estates. Whether there is a Will or not we will help you to sort out the financial affairs and will help you through the process of dividing the estate between the people who are entitled to it.
Our wills, trusts and probate solicitors can help you create and manage trusts.
Strategic Tax Advice
Garner & Hancock acts for individuals, but also for larger trusts (e.g. the Blue School) and charities.
Inheritance Disputes and Claims
We can provide expert advice in respect of contested inheritances, disputes over validity of wills, claims for beneficiaries and children, claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and disputes over Powers of Attorney.
See out Dispute Resolution above
Court of Protection
Should you have any concerns or queries regarding the Court of Protection or you are planning on making an appeal to the court and require legal advice and guidance contact our team.
Wills Probate and Trusts Department
As a member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners, we are experts in this area.
Draft a Will now
Download the Wills Questionnaire and send it to us. We promise to phone you with advice within 48 hours.