Wills and probate

The Penningtons Manches Cooper private client team assists individuals, families and professional clients based both in the UK and internationally with the preparation of wills and the subsequent administration of their estates. We offer a considerate, personal service that combines sensitivity and professionalism with expertise and efficiency.

Experienced wills and probate lawyers

For some, a will is a simple document to ensure that assets are passed upon death to those intended but, for many, it is also the most effective tax planning tool available to them. Our large team of specialist lawyers can help provide a will that is both effective in realising your intentions and in mitigating the effects of inheritance tax.

When administering estates, our experience helps to remove potential problems for family and friends at a difficult time. We take a proactive stance, ensuring that the process moves smoothly and quickly, and identifying relevant tax planning opportunities.

The multi-award nominated private client team provides a clear path through the difficult area of tax, trusts and probate.

UK nationals are increasingly likely to own assets located outside the UK, leaving the executors of their estates to deal with the rules of the devolution of assets situated in multiple jurisdictions on death. Our team has considerable expertise in obtaining probate and dealing with assets both within the UK and across multiple jurisdictions to avoid any potential conflicts in the way that laws apply to international estates.

For international individuals who die with assets in the UK, the team can assist with obtaining probate in the UK and, in certain circumstances, avoid the need to make a standalone application for a grant of probate in the UK by resealing a grant of the individual’s home state.

How we help our clients

Preparation of wills

UK and international probate

Administration of estates – UK and multiple jurisdictions

Lasting powers of attourney (LPA)

Court of Protection applications

Tax planning

Useful resources

Non contentious probate fees

Their high level of expertise in trust and estate matters has allowed me to restructure my plans significantly. They are a very professional and courteous team.

The team provides very measured responses that take all matters into consideration. The team makes an effort to get to know the clients, so its responses are professional but also personal.

Recent work highlights

Estate ownership disputes

Advising on a complex estate involving substantive disputes between beneficiaries about the ownership of estate assets.

HMRC negotiations on shareholding

Engaging in complex negotiations with HMRC on the valuation of a substantial shareholding in a private family company owned beneficially by the deceased, and also by a trust.

New Zealand will provisions

Advising the executors of a New Zealand estate on the variation of the will provisions of the deceased in liaison with his UK domiciled widow, and the interaction of UK taxation with a New Zealand charity.

High-net-worth international family

Assisting a family with wealth preservation, estate and succession planning, asset protection, family governance, personal taxation, trust law, transparency, philanthropy, and commercial issues.

Trusted advisor to UK based family

Acting as legal advisors to the family members and trustees, including the review and restructuring of wills and opportunities for estate planning through lifetime gifting and trust structures.