Writing a will correctly means you won’t have to pay Inheritance Tax unnecessarily. By planning ahead you can give your wealth to whomever you choose, rather than the taxman.

A properly drafted will protects your interests and can also help avoid conflict within your family.

If you don’t draw up a will, the law dictates what happens to your assets after you die. This can be unsatisfactory as it is unlikely to reflect your wishes and can put your nearest and dearest at odds with one another.

We’ve created these guides to give you more information:

• Wills for individuals
• Wills for couples

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A robust and professional valuation will help save you money and prevent disputes, whether the estate consists of land, property, or valuable objects and collections.

Our guidance can help mitigate tax risks and personal liabilities – through the use of Deeds of Variation and other carefully considered tax planning.

We can also advise in cases where beneficiaries are missing or abroad, or where disputes exist between beneficiaries, executors, or those who want to make a claim against the estate.

• The most appropriate form of trust for your requirements
• Administration of trusts and acting as a professional trustee
• Powers and duties of trustees
• Disputes between trustees and beneficiaries
• Termination of trusts and the tax implications

The team includes members of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) which not only gives you the benefit of up to date knowledge of the latest tax reliefs, but also reassures you that your advisor is subject to a strict code of conduct.

Inheritance Tax

Capital Gains Tax

Income Tax

The team includes members of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) which not only gives you the benefit of up to date knowledge of the latest tax reliefs, but also reassures you that your advisor is subject to a strict code of conduct.

The team often works with fellow professionals such as surveyors, accountants, financial advisors and land agents, to bring a fully comprehensive service to clients.

Should you face health issues in the future, you’ll want a person, or people that you can trust to make decisions on your behalf. You may need someone to make a decision about your health and day to day living arrangements, or to help you deal with bills, savings/investments, property and other financial affairs. Godwins’ experienced lawyers will provide step-by-step guidance to help you safeguard your affairs for the future.

Godwins can advise you on existing Enduring Powers of Attorney and if you need to put in place Lasting Powers of Attorney to enable others to speak for you.

We’ll help you choose the right attorney(s) to manage your finances, property and welfare issues, ensuring the appropriate restrictions and levels of authority. Some clients choose individuals within our team to act as their attorney because of our wealth of experience in protecting our clients’ best interests.

You may wish to change your attorney or file an objection as an attorney or a donor. Following registration, Godwins can offer ongoing guidance to donors and attorneys. This could be if you have appointed a partner you are no longer with, or you believe that somebody’s attorney is not acting in their donor’s best interests.

Godwins can help outline the duties of attorneys, oversee implementation and handle registrations with the Office of the Public Guardian.

We’re experienced in making applications to the Court of Protection in respect of Deputyship Orders and Gift Applications.

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A Declaration of Trust is recommended when more than one person is involved in buying a property, to protect your interests and avoid conflict in the future – saving you time and money.

The document makes clear contributions and responsibilities for everyone in a legally robust way. Properties can be protected so that they cannot be sold unless they meet the terms of a Declaration. As such, a Declaration of Trust is an important part of buying a property and is a practical part of co-ownership.  If you are a co-owner, or you are contributing to a purchase, for example by helping your children, then we would strongly advise you to have one. At Godwins, we can help you draw this up.

A Declaration of Trust can take into account not only your initial contributions, but ongoing ones, bank or building society finance, bills, upkeep and any changes in the value of the property. There can often be large differences in the amounts received by people when properties are sold, depending on how their contributions are acknowledged.

• The background to the purchase and individual contributions
• Co-owners holding as joint tenants or tenants in common
• Who is responsible for costs, such as the mortgage, repair and maintenance costs, insurance and upkeep of premises
• What happens when the property gets sold, and who gets what
• Promises between co-owners to perform their obligations
• What happens if a co-owner dies
• What happens where one co-owner wishes to sell, against the wishes of another or other co-owners
• An acknowledgment of a third party contribution and their rights to repayment in specific circumstances