Wills and probate
Wills and probate solicitors in Manchester
Are you looking for support with a will or probate? Speak to our industry-leading team of wills and probate solicitors in Manchester today to find out how we can help you.
Meet our wills and probate solicitors in Manchester
Our dedicated and trusted team of wills and probate specialists in Manchester are recognised as leaders in the field, and many are ranked in independent prestigious legal directories
One of the UK’s leading specialist law firms.
We are proud to have partnerships with national charities and be recognised in the latest legal directories.
Specialist wills and probate lawyers near you
Planning for what happens after you die or dealing with the estate of a loved one who has passed away is never easy, but doing so can mean the comfort of knowing your wishes will be followed and your loved ones taken care of when you’re no longer here.
At Slater and Gordon, our industry-leading wills and probate solicitors in Manchester offer a wide range of services, from will writing and probate to setting up trusts and advising on tax matters.
We are incredibly proud to count some of the best solicitors in the UK among our team here in Manchester. Our solicitors have a wealth of experience successfully supporting clients when they need us most and always approach each case with sensitivity and tailored legal guidance.
Find out how we can help you and your loved ones today. Get in touch on 0330 041 5869 or use our online contact form below to arrange a call back at a time that suits you.
Services our wills and probate solicitors in Manchester offer
We offer a comprehensive range of services to support you and your loved ones, including:
- Will writing, including storage of a will
- Probate, including probate without a will (intestacy)
- Setting up trusts, including will trusts, lifetime trusts, life interest trusts, and compensation protection trusts
- Power of attorney
- Tax advice, including Inheritance Tax
Why should I make a will?
Making a will may not seem like the most pleasant task, but doing so allows you to control what happens to your estate after you pass away, including what should inherit which assets. Not only does this allow you to ensure your loved ones are taken care of when you are gone, it can also help manage things like Inheritance Tax and charity donations.
It is therefore crucial that you create a will to ensure your instructions are followed after you pass away. To learn more, or to speak to one of our solicitors about creating a will, get in touch today.
What happens if I don’t have a will?
If you do not have a will – or if your will is found to be invalid – your estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy. These rules set a strict priority on who can benefit from your estate.
Unfortunately, they can also be quite old-fashioned, so they completely exclude certain groups from any inheritance, including stepchildren (who haven’t been legally adopted) and your partner if you aren’t married or in a civil partnership.
Industry-leading support from our probate solicitors in Manchester
Our expert probate solicitors in Manchester have many years of experience helping clients through the process of probate and can assist with tasks such as:
- Applying for a grant of probate or letters of administration
- Collecting in assets and discharging liabilities
- Considering and settling the tax liabilities of the estate (e.g. inheritance tax, income tax, and capital gains tax)
- Communicating with the beneficiaries and distributing the estate in accordance with the will
- If there is no will, distributing the estate according to the rules of intestacy
Understanding the tax implications can also be incredibly difficult, and getting things right is crucial. Our probate solicitors can talk you through any tax matters that need to be handled, including Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax.
What does probate involve?
In England and Wales, probate is the process of managing and distributing the estate of someone who has died. It involves identifying and collecting all their assets, including money, possessions and property, and distributing them to beneficiaries according to the instructions set out in the deceased’s will after any taxes and debts have been paid.
The person – or people – responsible for carrying out probate will be named in the will as executors. Where this is no will, an administrator will be appointed according to the rules of intestacy.
Why should I use a probate solicitor?
It can be helpful to instruct a specialist probate solicitor for many different reasons. Some of the most common include:
- The legal complexities of probate: this is particularly true for larger estates or more complex instructions in the will. Executors and administrators can be held financially liable if they make any mistakes that result in a loss for the beneficiaries, so if in doubt, it’s always best to seek specialist legal advice.
- The time requirements: probate can be a lengthy process, and this can be further exacerbated if there are any challenges to the will. If you don’t have the time or resources to commit to the process in its entirety, it can be helpful to instruct professional support.
- The emotional impact: the passing of a loved one is a difficult and challenging time, and it can often be incredibly demanding to deal with the legalities of probate while grieving your loss. Instructing a probate solicitor can relieve this burden and give you the peace of mind that your loved one’s estate and wishes are in safe hands.
Leading legal expertise from Slater and Gordon Manchester
At Slater and Gordon, our compassionate probate solicitors are with you each step of the way, offering support and expert legal advice no matter how complex the circumstances.
We’re incredibly proud to be members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), showcasing our team’s dedication and commitment to providing the highest quality legal services in the field.
Our approach is routed in clear communication and transparency, which includes funding options for your legal needs. We’ll provide you with a comprehensive breakdown of costs upfront and throughout your matter, so you’ll always know where you stand.
With straightforward, practical advice and holistic, compassionate care, our probate solicitors are here to support you when you need us most.
How to find our Manchester office
We're located in the very heart of Manchester, on the First Floor of Lee House, 90 Great Bridgewater Street, M1 5JW. Our office provides excellent links to public transport, which means we're within easy reach across the city and its surrounding areas.
The office is easily accessible central train stations, including Manchester Oxford Road (5-minute walk) and Piccadilly (14-minute walk) train stations.
We’re also situated right between two tram stops at St Peter’s Square and Deansgate Castlefield, both of which are within 5-to-10-minute walking distance.
The closest multi-storey car park is NCP Oxford Street, which can be accessed from Great Bridgewater Street and is less than a two-minute walk away.
Why choose Slater and Gordon?
Expertise
We are an award winning law firm and have a dedicated team of solicitors to advise and guide you – no matter how complex your situation may be.
Affordability and advice
We're able to offer affordable expert legal advice and can provide guidance on all aspects of wills and trusts. We can provide you with practical, affordable advice on your situation at the outset giving you clear guidance and options on your next steps.
Tailored advice
We understand that all situations differ - it’s not always a one size fits all - so we are able to provide tailored advice and guidance to suit your individual needs.
Local access
We are a national law firm, with legal experts available locally across the UK. Meetings can be arranged via telephone or video call, to suit your requirements.
Wills and Probate Solicitors in Manchester: FAQs
Do I need a solicitor to write a will?
While you don’t need to instruct a solicitor to write a will, it can be hugely beneficial to do so, particularly if your estate or wishes are complex. A specialist wills solicitor can advice you on the legal complexities that could impact your will, estate and beneficiaries, including any tax implications.
Using a solicitor to create a will can also mean there is less chance of the will becoming invalid (due to unclear instructions or improper storage, for example), minimising the risk that your wishes are not followed in favour of the rules of intestacy.
Do I need a solicitor to manage probate?
It isn’t a legal requirement to use a probate solicitor when executing a loved one’s will, however doing so on your own can be a very challenging experience and it can be difficult to know how to handle issues for the best when they arise.
Depending upon the value and complexity of your loved one’s estate and will, probate can be a length, time-consuming process, which many people can struggle with while they come to term with the loss of their loved one.
To learn more about how our probate solicitors can help you, speak to our team on 0330 041 5869 or get in touch online.
How much does it cost to write a will?
There are multiple factors that can determine how much writing a will can cost, including the complexity of your estate and the instructions you wish to include.
At Slater and Gordon, our wills solicitors offer a range of bespoke products with clear and transparent pricing, so you’ll always know exactly what support you are getting and how much you will be charged.
To speak with one of our wills and probate solicitors in Manchester, get in touch on 0330 041 5869 or reach out online and arrange a call back at a time that suits you.
How much does probate cost?
Depending upon the complexity of your loved one’s will and estate, probate can be a complex and lengthy process. This means that the cost of instructing a specialist probate solicitor can vary from case to case based on how much support you wish to receive.
We offer a range of probate services, and our probate solicitors in Manchester can advise you on which option could be most beneficial to you, providing you with transparent pricing and expert legal guidance from day one.
What information do I need to provide to my probate solicitor?
To start the process of probate, you will need to provide your probate solicitor with all the relevant information and documentation regarding the deceased and their estate.
For instance, your probate solicitor will need the original copy of the death certificate, the deceased’s will, details about estate (a list of assets, liabilities, and lifetime gifts), and proof of your identity as executor.
They may also require further information, such as the deceased’s marriage certificate (if applicable), the details of any pension pots and life insurance policies, the deeds to any property they owned, and login details for any digital assets.
This is not an exhaustive list, however, so it is always best to confirm with your probate solicitor what information is relevant in your circumstance.
Can I make an appointment at your Manchester office?
We’d be happy to arrange a face-to-face appointment with a member of our Manchester team to discuss your circumstances and help you take the first steps to claiming the compensation you deserve. To do this, get in touch by calling us on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online, and we’ll be in touch to arrange a time that works for you.
Is there parking available at your Manchester office?
While there is no on-site parking, there are a few nearby multi-storey car parks that provide easy access to our Manchester office.
The nearest car park is NCP Oxford Street, which can be accessed via Great Bridgewater Street and is less than a two-minute walk from the office. NCP Manchester Central is also located nearby (5-minute walk away), and there are several smaller car parks in the area as well.