Miles Herman is a clever, understated lawyer who is at the top of his game.
Where a person passes on having left a Will, their estate is said to be testate. If no Will exists or a Will is found to be invalid, their estate falls into intestacy and certain default rules apply to distribution to family members.
If you unexpectedly pass away without a Will in place, your loved ones will be left in the dark regarding your desires. As they mourn, they will have to make difficult decisions about how to best administer your estate. Without a Will, the process of distributing your assets can become expensive, drawn-out and can cause conflict among family members.
In order to avoid the burden and cost of determining distribution of assets in intestacy upon your family after you have gone, it is always advisable to have a valid Will properly drafted and kept as a contingency. There are certain criteria that have to be met in order for a Will to be valid and withstand challenge, and so it is always advisable to draft with the guidance of a Wills and Probate Solicitor.
Writing a will is something many of us speak about but never get around to. However, if you want your wishes to be respected after you are gone, it is important to make a Will. Otherwise, your estate will be divided according to law and some of your nearest and dearest may lose out. Writing a valid Will takes some expertise so contact Lewis Nedas today.
Unfortunately, the probate process can become contentious. Our team will analyse your family and financial situation and ask questions you may not have previously considered. We can help you name suitable guardians for your children and executors of your estate. We will also help you anticipate potential obstacles and changes that you may encounter in the future.
In order for a Will to be valid and withstand challenge, there are a range of criteria to be adhered to:
A Will ordinarily contains, firstly, an inventory of all the possessions and funds an individual owns, or envisions owning. Second, it will indicate the persons the drafter wishes to benefit through distributions of assets. A beneficiary can include a charitable organisation. Third, it will indicate who should administer the distribution of the estate in a position known as the executor.
An executor is the individual appointed by the person who drafted the Will to distribute assets to beneficiaries. The executor is also responsible for settling debts and liabilities that the drafter of the Will had outstanding. In most cases, the executor will be a family member, solicitor or bank representative.
A Will can be altered after signing through (1) adding a codicil or (2) drafting a replacement Will. A codicil is a written document containing amendments to the original Will, which must be signed and witnessed as per the original Will in order to be valid. If a person wishes to cancel their Will entirely and start over, the new Will must state it is revoking the previous Will, which will have to be destroyed.
A Will is destroyed where it is torn, burned or otherwise disposed of in the presence of the drafter with the intention that it is to be destroyed. Diligence must be carried out to check other copies have not been made.
Hiring an experienced Wills and Probate Lawyer to help you create or make changes to your Will is imperative. A single mistake can cause your family unnecessary emotional and financial distress. We encourage our clients to take all necessary steps to ensure their wishes are legally documented through their Wills.
| Wills | Fee | VAT | |||
| Basic Individual Will | £ 525.00 | £ 105.00 | |||
| Basic Mirror Wills | £ 900.00 | £ 180.00 | |||
| For Non-standard/Complex Will and for Fees, Further discussion will be required | |||||
| Lasting Power(s) of Attorney | |||||
| Health and Welfare LPA | £ 425.00 | £ 95.00 | |||
| Property and Finance LPA | £ 425.00 | £ 95.00 | |||
| Both LPAs | £ 795.00 | £ 159.00 | |||
| If partners want both LPAs | £ 1,550.00 | £ 310.00 | |||
| Additional/Supplemental Fees | |||||
| Court Fees (per application) | £ 82.00 | ||||
Family law cases involving Wills and distribution of assets can become very complex where there are varied interested parties, including in-laws, former spouses and children.
Lewis Nedas’ Wills and Probate Lawyers are equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to handle estates of any size. We offer a tailored, focused review of your family circumstances in order to determine how best to navigate individual relationships and appoint effective administration of your estate. Please contact us on 020 7387 2032 or complete our online enquiry form.
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Miles Herman is a clever, understated lawyer who is at the top of his game.
Richard McConnell carried out conveyance for my family on 4 London flats, 1 sale and 3 purchases. In each instance he was excellent. The attention to detail and communication throughout the process was perfect. I have recommended Richard to several family members and friends who have been extremely pleased. I would have no hesitation in using Richard McConnell and Lewis Nedas in the future should the need arise.
I wanted to take the opportunity as well to thank you for everything that you have done on this case. The result that we got on Monday will have a massive positive impact not only on my life but the lives of all my family including that of my own son. I personally was struggling to hold back the tears when the sentence was being delivered by the judge and I know my father and sister felt the same too. It must be fantastic to work in a way that can have such a positive impact on people’s lives and I want you to know how much it all means to us all. Thanks a million and good luck with all that you do going forward.
Lewis Nedas advised me in a serious case of insider dealing. The lead solicitor dealing with my case was Jeffrey Lewis, who impressed me with his quick grasp of the very complex circumstances. His in-depth knowledge of how the City really works and his long experience of serious financial crime gave me great confidence. But it was also his friendly and supportive attitude, and readiness to take calls (or return them promptly if he was in court) which was very reassuring. I was delighted with the positive result of the case, and the speed and efficiency with which it was handled.
Lewis Nedas Law Limited, led by Jeffrey Lewis, is known as ‘an exceptional firm with a strong team of talented and expert criminal lawyers’. The practice offers a wide range of high-end legal services, including on cases concerning espionage, terrorism, and murder. Siobhain Egan has strong experience in multi-jurisdictional matters; recent highlight engagements concern organ trafficking and terrorism financing, among other matters. Unan Choudhury is noted for his work regarding espionage and murders, while Keith Wood is an expert in High Court contempt proceedings which arise from criminal activity. Other key figures include Miles Herman, who represents clients in complex litigations.
Hands on partner involvement leading a dynamic team who like to think out of the box. Results driven. Clear strategies. They can go toe to toe with the big “City” firms.
