When dealing with matters of such importance, you deserve advice from experienced private client solicitors who understand the complexities of this area and who can guide you with care, clarity and confidence.
Our private client solicitors are dedicated to helping you make informed decisions about your personal, financial and family affairs. Whether you want to put a Will in place, plan for later life or need support following the loss of a loved one, we will provide straightforward advice tailored to your circumstances.
Our priority is to give you peace of mind. With our experience and approachable manner, we will help you protect your future and ensure your wishes are honoured. Speak to our specialist team today to place your affairs in safe and capable hands.
Planning for the future is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure that your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected. Setting out who will inherit your estate, choosing trusted Executors and making arrangements for any children, especially those who may still be minors, are all decisions that deserve careful thought and expert guidance.
We can prepare a professionally drafted Will that reflects your wishes and safeguards the people you care about, giving you complete peace of mind. If your estate may be subject to Inheritance Tax, we will also advise on effective planning strategies to reduce your tax exposure by making full use of available allowances, reliefs and exemptions. This helps ensure that your assets are passed on as efficiently as possible.
If you do not make a Will, your estate will pass under the rules of intestacy. These rules are set by law and may result in your estate going to family members whom you would not have chosen to benefit. Putting a Will in place gives you control and clarity over what happens to your estate in the future.
Managing the estate of a loved one can feel overwhelming. Whether you are acting as an Executor named in a Will or as an Administrator under the rules of intestacy, the legal and practical responsibilities involved can be demanding. The personal representative must identify all assets and liabilities, ensure the estate is administered correctly and distribute it in line with the Will or the law. If Inheritance Tax is due, the estate must be reported accurately and the tax paid within the HMRC deadline.
Applications to the Probate Registry must be completed with care to avoid delays, particularly where there may be questions about the validity of a Will or uncertainty over who is entitled to apply for a grant of representation.
Many people find this process challenging and choose to seek professional guidance to ensure the estate is handled properly and efficiently. Our Probate, Estate and Trust Administration specialists provide clear and sensitive support at every stage, giving you reassurance that everything is being managed correctly. We also offer comprehensive advice to both professional and lay trustees on all aspects of Trust administration.
Taking steps to organise your affairs during your lifetime can provide lasting security for you and those closest to you. Lifetime planning helps you protect your assets, manage future risks and make clear decisions about how your wealth should be used or passed on.
Trusts can be an effective way to safeguard family assets, provide for children or vulnerable relatives, and manage Inheritance Tax responsibilities. They allow you to retain control while ensuring that your wishes are carried out both now and in the future.
Our specialists will guide you through the available options and help you decide which arrangements best support your personal and financial goals. We prepare and administer Trusts with care, clarity and attention to detail, ensuring that you and your chosen trustees understand your responsibilities and the long term benefits.
With thoughtful lifetime planning, you can protect what matters most and achieve peace of mind for the years ahead.
Putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place is an important step in planning for the future. It allows you to choose trusted people to make decisions on your behalf if there ever comes a time when you are unable to make them yourself. This ensures that your wishes are respected and that those you rely on have the legal authority to support you when it matters most.
There are two types of Lasting Power of Attorney. One covers decisions about your property and financial affairs, and the other covers your health and welfare. You can choose to make one or both depending on your circumstances. Each provides valuable reassurance that your affairs will be managed in the way you would want.
Our specialists will guide you through the process with clear advice and careful preparation of the documents. We will explain how each type works, who you can appoint and what responsibilities your chosen Attorneys will have. You will have complete peace of mind knowing that your arrangements are valid, understood and tailored to your needs.
Putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place now means you stay in control of your future and ensures that the people you trust are ready to act in your best interests.
When a person is no longer able to make certain decisions for themselves, the Court of Protection can step in to ensure their welfare and financial affairs are properly safeguarded. These situations can be emotional and complex, and having clear professional guidance can make a significant difference.
We assist with applications to appoint a Deputy to manage property, finances or personal welfare decisions for someone who lacks capacity. We also advise on statutory Wills, decisions about lifetime gifts and other applications where the court’s approval is required. Our team will explain the process in straightforward terms and ensure all documentation is prepared with care to avoid delays.
If you are already acting as a Deputy, we can support you with your ongoing responsibilities, including record keeping, reporting and any decisions that require specialist input.
Our aim is to protect the best interests of the person who needs support while giving their family clarity, reassurance and steady guidance throughout the process.
A Living Will, also known as an advance decision, allows you to set out your wishes for medical treatment and care if there comes a time when you are unable to express them yourself. It provides clear guidance for your loved ones and healthcare professionals, ensuring that your preferences are honoured during difficult moments.
End of life decision making is a sensitive but important part of planning for the future. By recording your wishes in advance, you can reduce uncertainty, avoid distress for your family and ensure that decisions made on your behalf reflect your own values and beliefs.
Our specialists will guide you through the options and help you prepare a clear and legally valid document that captures your choices accurately. We approach these discussions with care and understanding, taking the time to listen to what matters most to you.
Putting a Living Will in place gives you control, reassurance and peace of mind, knowing that your wishes will be respected when it matters most.
Receiving compensation following an accident or injury can provide essential financial security, but it can also bring important decisions about how best to protect those funds. A Compensation Protection Trust allows you to safeguard your award so that it supports your long term needs without affecting eligibility for certain means tested benefits.
These trusts can also help you manage large or complex settlements, ensuring that the funds are used in a way that reflects your priorities and protects your financial future. They offer a safe structure for managing money while still giving you access to the support you need.
Our specialists will explain how these trusts work, who can act as a trustee and how the funds can be used. We prepare all documents with care and guide you through the process to make sure your compensation is preserved and managed appropriately.
With the right trust in place, you can look to the future with confidence, knowing that your award is secure and being used in a way that best supports your wellbeing.
Disputes involving a Will, an estate or a trust can be deeply upsetting, especially when they arise at an already difficult time. Our team provides clear, steady guidance to help you resolve these issues with confidence and care.
We can assist with challenges to the validity of a Will, disagreements over the way an estate is being administered, claims for financial provision and disputes between beneficiaries or trustees. These cases often involve complex legal and personal considerations, and our specialists will work with you to understand your concerns and the outcome you hope to achieve.
Where possible, we aim to resolve matters through constructive discussion to minimise conflict and preserve family relationships. If court proceedings become necessary, you will have experienced support throughout with a clear and practical strategy.
Our priority is to protect your interests and help you reach a fair and workable resolution, allowing you to move forward with greater clarity and peace of mind. See our litigation page for more details.
Carers play an essential role in supporting relatives and friends, yet many are unsure of the rights and protections available to them. Our team provides clear guidance to help carers and the people they care for understand their entitlements and ensure they receive fair treatment and appropriate support.
We can advise on assessments for carers and the individuals they support, access to community and local authority services, financial assistance, workplace rights and the legal frameworks that protect carers in their role. We also help families put plans in place for the future, including arrangements for decision making and managing finances where needed.
Every caring relationship is different, and we take the time to understand your situation so that our advice is practical and truly tailored. Our aim is to give you clarity, confidence and a sense of security, ensuring that both you and your loved ones are treated fairly and supported properly at every stage.
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Having an extensive range of specialists available for comprehensive advice in various aspects of all private client work is a vital part of our service.Our team work with the shared purpose of offering the best value service for you, so there is always expert help on hand every step of the way.
Our team of exceptional people, who all benefit from a high level of experience and training, will always deliver tailored advice that stands apart from other law firms.Solicitors in England and Wales have a combined legal system so we can confidently advise on any private client matter in England or Wales.
We have branches nationwide and are still growing so no matter where you are, our team can meet with you to discuss your case.Can’t get to us? No problem; we can offer online solutions such as video-meetings and telephone meetings.
We understand that sensitive matters are involved, and our clients may need to have a continuing relationship with their solicitor for years to come. We make sure that the matter is dealt with professionally to maintain that constructive relationship.
We will always provide an estimate of overall costs, which is informed from years of practical experience. Work can be tailored to whatever your personal circumstances are.
Building a lasting relationship can often be overlooked by law firms, but we make it a priority at HCB to make sure you feel at ease during the legal process. We believe the better we know you, the better we’ll be able to help you in your case.
