What is inheritance law?

Inheritance law governs what happens to a person's money and assets (their estate) after they pass away. Legal practitioners who specialise in this aspect of law are called inheritance lawyers, or inheritance solicitors. Many individual disciplines fall under the umbrella of inheritance law. These include will writing, probates and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Is writing a will important?

It's important to consider writing a will because it gives you control over your estate. Your estate is everything you own at the time of your death, including money, property and personal possessions. By writing a will, you can decide how your estate is split up and make sure your wealth goes to people or causes you care about. If you pass away without writing a will, you're said to have died "intestate". This means the government will split your wealth according to pre-defined rules. In other words, you won't be able to choose who gets what.

What does Lasting Power of Attorney mean?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets someone else make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. It's a way of protecting yourself and your family if you lose the mental capacity to deal with your own affairs. When you register an LPA, you appoint a trusted person to deal with things like selling property, arranging medical care and moving into a care home. There are two types of LPA. One that is for property and financial affairs and can be used when you require assistance with your affairs. The other one deals with Health and Welfare and comes into effect when you can no longer make these decisions for yourself. Consider it a form of insurance for the worst-case scenario. Nobody wants to dwell on these kinds of "what if?" questions, but without an LPA things only get more complicated and stressful for everyone involved. At Milners, we strongly recommend preparing an LPA – just in case.

What does probate mean?

Probate is the process of handling a deceased person's estate – their money, property and personal possessions. It involves proving that a will is valid (if there is one) and determining who has authority to look after the estate. The person with this authority is called an executor. It's the executor's job to distribute the deceased person's assets according to their will. If the person who died didn't write a will, then the law determines who inherits what according to regulations called "rules of intestacy". If there are disagreements about the contents of a will, these can escalate into a legal challenge known as contested probate. To avoid this, we recommend updating your will at least every five years. This ensures that your will reflects your current wishes and circumstances.

Wills, trusts and probate solicitors

Safeguard your legacy with expert inheritance law advice.

Plan for the future

Safeguard your legacy with friendly advice from expert inheritance lawyers.

Tax planning, will writing, probate disputes and more.

You'll get the support you need: our experienced, highly rated probate solicitors are dedicated to achieving the best result for you.

You'll know what's happening: as far as we're concerned, it's our job to make inheritance law simple, straightforward and easy to understand.

You'll have our number: we don't hide behind paperwork – we'll give you the direct phone number of the lead solicitor on your case.

We all want the best for our loved ones when we pass away. Our inheritance experts are here to help you protect their happiness and security.

Our approach is simple. We deliver friendly support and straight-talking advice that's laser-focused on your needs and goals.

Choose Milners, and you'll enjoy direct access to our expert inheritance lawyers. With their years of experience, they can assist with all aspects of inheritance law, including will writing, Lasting Power of Attorney and tax planning.

We can also help you secure the inheritance you deserve when disagreements arise around wills and probate.

Want security for your future? Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation quote.

We all want the best for our loved ones when we pass away. Our inheritance experts are here to help you protect their happiness and security.

Our approach is simple. We deliver friendly support and straight-talking advice that's laser-focused on your needs and goals.

We can also help you secure the inheritance you deserve when disagreements arise around wills and probate.

Want security for your future? Get in touch today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

How we can help

Will writing services

Making a will is the only way to control what happens to your assets when you die. Choose our will writing and advice service, and we'll make the process as straightforward as possible.

Inheritance tax planning

Nobody wants their loved ones to suffer unnecessary financial loss. Our inheritance tax team can help you safeguard your assets and protect your family's interests after you pass away.

Establishing a trust

Establishing a trust fund can provide financial stability for your family and help avoid hefty inheritance tax bills. Our experts can help you establish a trust that meets your unique needs.

Contested probates

Probate doesn't always go to plan. When disagreements happen, our probate lawyers are here to help you navigate the legal complexities and fight for your rightful inheritance.

Lasting power of attorney (LPA)

An LPA lets you appoint someone to safeguard your interests in the unfortunate event that you lose the mental capacity to manage your own affairs.

And more…

Our team has expertise in all areas of inheritance law. We're happy to help with any questions about this complex and difficult subject. Please get in touch for a no-obligation consultation.

Why choose us?

No nonsense. No jargon. No pressure.

We understand you might be going through a difficult time. Whether you're planning for the future or grieving a relative, our lawyers are here to support and guide you.

Choose Milners, and you'll enjoy friendly, expert advice from experienced wills, trusts and probate solicitors. We pride ourselves on our straight-talking, jargon-free approach – with our help, you'll know where you stand from A to Z.

We don't sugarcoat things either. We respect your time and your intelligence, so we'll focus on the facts and the things that matter to your case.

Together, we can build the future you want for your loved ones.

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Expert legal support at a sensible price.

Planning for the future is important. But that doesn't mean it has to cost the earth.

At Milners, we're proud to offer top-tier legal support at a price you can afford.

We're always transparent about our fees, too. We'll break down our costs in simple, jargon-free language so you always know where you stand.

Your first consultation is always free, so why not get in touch for a no-obligation consultation?

Frequently asked questions

What is inheritance law?

Inheritance law governs what happens to a person's money and assets (their estate) after they pass away. Legal practitioners who specialise in this aspect of law are called inheritance lawyers, or inheritance solicitors.

Many individual disciplines fall under the umbrella of inheritance law. These include will writing, probates and Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Is writing a will important?

It's important to consider writing a will because it gives you control over your estate. Your estate is everything you own at the time of your death, including money, property and personal possessions.

By writing a will, you can decide how your estate is split up and make sure your wealth goes to people or causes you care about.

If you pass away without writing a will, you're said to have died "intestate". This means the government will split your wealth according to pre-defined rules. In other words, you won't be able to choose who gets what.
What does Lasting Power of Attorney mean?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets someone else make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so. It's a way of protecting yourself and your family if you lose the mental capacity to deal with your own affairs.

When you register an LPA, you appoint a trusted person to deal with things like selling property, arranging medical care and moving into a care home. There are two types of LPA. One that is for property and financial affairs and can be used when you require assistance with your affairs. The other one deals with Health and Welfare and comes into effect when you can no longer make these decisions for yourself.

Consider it a form of insurance for the worst-case scenario. Nobody wants to dwell on these kinds of "what if?" questions, but without an LPA things only get more complicated and stressful for everyone involved. At Milners, we strongly recommend preparing an LPA – just in case.
What does probate mean?

Probate is the process of handling a deceased person's estate – their money, property and personal possessions. It involves proving that a will is valid (if there is one) and determining who has authority to look after the estate. The person with this authority is called an executor.

It's the executor's job to distribute the deceased person's assets according to their will. If the person who died didn't write a will, then the law determines who inherits what according to regulations called "rules of intestacy".

If there are disagreements about the contents of a will, these can escalate into a legal challenge known as contested probate. To avoid this, we recommend updating your will at least every five years. This ensures that your will reflects your current wishes and circumstances.