Wills & Probate Solicitors in Bristol

Lyons solicitors can provide you with a complete and cost-effective service covering all Wills and probate matters. 

Throughout its history Lyons has built a reputation for providing a personal legal advice service at a competitive price. We have worked for many years with our local clients and fully understand that making a Will and going through the probate process can be a very stressful time.

We have a team of Solicitors and Lawyers based in our three offices situated in Westbury on Trym, Kingswood and Chew Magna. We also help and advise clients throughout Bristol, North and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

We specialise in Wills and Probate and have a long-established local client base as we pride ourselves on providing a first class personal service to all of our clients. 

We are happy to see clients at any of our offices, with free parking available for clients at our Westbury on Trym and Chew Magna offices. We are also willing to arrange home visits for clients who are unable to attend our offices.

Speak to our Wills and Probate solicitors in Bristol

We are able to offer a free first consultation to answer any questions you might have about the Wills and probate process and help to clarify your situation.

To book a free initial consultation with our specialist Wills and probate solicitors in Chew Magna, Kingswood or Westbury-on-Trym and the wider Bristol area, please get in touch today. You can use the contact details for each office or, alternatively, fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of the page to request a call back.

Our expert Wills and probate solicitors in Bristol are available to advise on a range of matters, including:

Wills

A Will is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding the distribution of their assets and belongings after their death. It names beneficiaries, an executor to oversee the process, and can address guardianship of minors. A properly executed Will ensures the deceased's intentions are respected.

Our solicitors assist with Wills by providing expert guidance to ensure the document is legally valid and accurately reflects your wishes. We help navigate complex inheritance laws, minimise tax implications, and address specific bequests. Our solicitors ensure the Will's clarity, reducing the risk of disputes and ensuring a smooth estate distribution.

Living Wills

A Living Will, also known as an advance decision, is a legal document that allows individuals to outline their medical treatment preferences in case they become incapacitated and unable to communicate their wishes. It guides healthcare decisions, ensuring personal values are respected even when unable to express them.

Our solicitors assist with Living Wills by providing legal expertise to draft and execute the document in accordance with your preferences and legal requirements. We ensure clarity in expressing medical treatment choices, helping you to assert your wishes regarding end-of-life care and medical interventions, granting peace of mind and ensuring proper implementation.

Probate & Letters of Administration

Probate is the legal process of validating and executing a deceased person's Will, ensuring assets are distributed as specified. Letters of Administration are granted when there's no valid Will. Both involve obtaining court approval, settling debts, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries, overseen by executors or administrators.

Our solicitors can assist with probate and Letters of Administration by guiding you through the complex process. We assist in obtaining court authorisation, managing assets, settling debts, and distributing the estate. Our solicitors ensure legal compliance, minimize potential disputes, and offer expertise to streamline the administration of estates, providing peace of mind during a challenging time.

Inheritance Tax Advice

Inheritance Tax Advice involves expert guidance provided by solicitors to help individuals plan their estates strategically. It includes assessing assets, recommending tax-efficient strategies, and ensuring compliance with tax laws. The goal is to minimise the inheritance tax burden on beneficiaries and maximise the value of the estate passed on.

Our solicitors can assist with Inheritance Tax Advice by assessing your estate, providing strategies to mitigate tax burdens, and offering guidance on tax exemptions and reliefs. We ensure compliance with complex tax regulations, helping you to optimise your estate planning and reduce potential tax liabilities for beneficiaries.

Trusts Advice & Administration

Trusts advice and administration involves solicitors' expertise in establishing and managing trusts. They offer guidance on trust types, their legal implications, and tax efficiency. Solicitors oversee trust creation, administration, and asset distribution, ensuring beneficiaries' interests are protected and trusts operate in accordance with the law.

Our solicitors can assist with trusts advice and administration by offering expert guidance on trust creation, selection, and management. We ensure legal compliance, provide tax-efficient strategies, and oversee proper asset distribution. Our solicitors can help you establish and maintain trusts to safeguard assets, manage inheritances, and achieve specific financial goals for beneficiaries.

Inheritance Act Claims

Inheritance Act Claims are legal actions brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Eligible individuals, often close family or dependents, seek a greater share of an estate if they believe reasonable financial provision has not been made for them in a deceased person's Will or intestacy.

Our solicitors can provide you with advice regarding  Inheritance Act Claims. We assess the validity of claims, guide through the complex legal process, and negotiate settlements. Our solicitors aim to secure fair provision from an estate for eligible individuals while minimizing conflict and maximising successful outcomes.

Probate Fees

Applying for the grant, collecting and distributing the assets

We can help you through this difficult process by obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf. We will also undertake the collecting and distributing of assets.

The exact cost will depend on the individual circumstances of the matter.

We will handle the full process for you.

This quote is for estates where:

  • There is a valid Will
  • There is no more than one property
  • There are no more than 4 bank or building society accounts
  • There are no other intangible assets
  • There are 1-4 beneficiaries
  • There are no disputes between beneficiaries on division of assets. If disputes arise this is likely to lead to an increase in costs
  • There is no inheritance tax payable and the executors do not need to submit a full account to HMRC
  • There are no claims made against the estate
  • There are no Trusts created by the Will

How much does this service cost?

Fees based on 1.5% of the Gross Estate (as calculated for IHT purposes) plus VAT.

A minimum fee of £1950 plus VAT will apply to all estates.

This includes: obtaining the grant, collecting assets and distributing them.

Disbursements:

  • Probate Court fee of £273.00.
  • Bankruptcy-only Land Charges Department searches (£2 per beneficiary).
  • £169.20 (Plus £33.84 VAT) Post in The London Gazette – Protects against unexpected claims from unknown creditors.
  • Post in a Local Newspaper – £91.00 (Plus £18.20 VAT) – This also helps to protect against unexpected claims.
  • ID Checks - £5 per Executor and Beneficiary

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as court fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Potential additional costs

  • If there is no will or the estate consists of any share holdings (stocks and bonds) there is likely to be additional costs that could range significantly depending on the estate and how it is to be dealt with. We can give you a more accurate quote once we have more information.
  • If any additional copies of the grant are required, they will cost £1.50 (1 per asset usually).
  • Dealing with the sale or transfer of any property in the estate is not included.
  • Bank Transfer Fees £30 plus VAT
  • Accountants fees
  • Surveyors fees
  • Valuers fees
  • Stock Broker Fees
  • Deed of Variation
  • Deed of Appropriation
  • Administration or Winding up of any Trusts
  • Registration with the Trust Registration Service (TRS)

As part of our fixed fee we will:

  • Provide you with a qualified, dedicated and experienced probate solicitor (or other experienced Probate Practitioner) to manage your matter.
  • Identify the legally appointed executors or administrators and beneficiaries
  • Accurately identify the type of Probate application you will require
  • Obtain the relevant documents required to make the application
  • Calculate the IHT and Prepare the relevant Inheritance Tax Returns for submission to HMRC
  • Prepare the Probate Application
  • Make the application to the Probate Court on your behalf
  • Obtain the Grant of Probate
  • Collect and distribute all assets in the estate

Timescales can differ depending on the complexity of the estate. We can discuss this with you and advise you of the current timescales based on the individual circumstances.

Speak to our Wills and probate solicitors in Bristol

We are able to offer a free first consultation to answer any questions you might have about the Wills and probate process and help to clarify your situation.

To book a free initial consultation with our specialist Wills and probate solicitors in Chew Magna, Kingswood or Westbury-on-Trym and the wider Bristol area, please get in touch today. You can use the contact details for each office or, alternatively, fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of the page to request a call back.