Losing a loved one is probably the most distressing time of your life. Yet you are expected to deal with paperwork and the administration of their estate straight away, at a time when you may not be thinking clearly. McHale Baker can assist in whatever way you wish, from dealing with the entire estate or simply applying for the Grant of Probate.

Our services include:

• Advising on succession i.e. who inherits & interpreting the deceased’s last Will

• Valuing the estate

• Advising on the payment of inheritance tax and completing the H.M Revenue & Customs forms

• Applying for a Grant of Probate

• Collecting in the assets in the estate

• Preparing estate accounts

• Distributing the estate to those entitled

Lasting Powers of Attorney are documents which are used during your life. They allow you to appoint someone that you trust as your attorney to look after your affairs in the event that you are not able to do so yourself.

There are 2 types:

Lasting Power of Attorney – Property & Financial Affairs:

This one enables your attorney or attorneys to look after your financial affairs. They are able to run your bank accounts & investments & sell your property.

It can be used in the event that you do not have the capacity to make the decisions yourself in which case your attorney makes the decision for you

Lasting Power of Attorney – Health & Welfare

This one allows your attorney or attorneys to look after your health & welfare. They are able to decide where you live, provide consent to medical treatment and even make decisions on life-sustaining treatment.

Making a Will is probably one of the most important legal documents that you can make yet so many people do not have one.

Dying without a will means that the law will govern who your estate will pass to. In these circumstances, your spouse does not automatically inherit your estate and if you are not married your partner will not benefit at all.

McHale Baker has the expertise to advise you on all the issues that you need to consider, including inheritance tax, planning, protection against long-term care, protecting vulnerable beneficiaries, second marriages and children from previous relationships

No-one likes to think of their loved ones going into long term care, and the financing of these costs is complex. McHale Baker understand how care costs are calculated and can offer advice on how to prepare your Wills to maximise the amount that will be left to your loved ones in the event that you may need long term care.