Wills and Estate Administration Solicitors in Orpington

Helping You Protect Your Family, Your Assets and Your Future

Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, but taking the right steps now can provide clarity, certainty and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Whether you are making a Will, planning for later life, creating a Lasting Power of Attorney, protecting family assets or dealing with the administration of an estate after a death, obtaining specialist legal advice can help ensure your wishes are carried out and your family's interests are protected.

At Clarkson Wright & Jakes (CWJ), our experienced Private Client team advises individuals and families across Orpington, Bromley, Kent and the South East on all aspects of Wills, Probate, Estate Administration, Trusts and Estate Planning.

Our team includes Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) members, a Chartered Tax Adviser and a Solicitors for the Elderly accredited specialist, allowing us to provide comprehensive advice across a broad range of private client matters.

Our Wills, Probate and Estate Planning Services

We advise clients on all aspects of private client law, including:

• Wills

• Probate and estate administration
• Lasting Powers of Attorney
• Court of Protection matters
• Trusts
• Inheritance tax planning
• Asset protection planning
• Care fee planning
• Personal injury trusts
• Deputyship applications
• Estate and succession planning

Whether you are preparing for the future or dealing with the administration of an estate after a bereavement, we can provide clear and practical advice tailored to your circumstances.

Making a Will

A professionally prepared Will allows you to decide what happens to your assets after your death and helps ensure your wishes are carried out.

A Will can help you:

• Choose who inherits your estate
• Appoint executors
• Appoint guardians for children
• Reduce the risk of family disputes
• Assist with inheritance tax planning
• Protect vulnerable beneficiaries

Without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect your wishes.

Our solicitors can advise on straightforward Wills, complex family arrangements, business interests and estate planning strategies.

Probate and Estate Administration

Following the death of a loved one, family members and executors are often faced with significant legal and administrative responsibilities.

Estate administration may involve:

• Obtaining a Grant of Probate
• Identifying and valuing assets
• Settling debts and liabilities
• Completing inheritance tax requirements
• Distributing the estate to beneficiaries

Our probate solicitors can provide support at every stage, whether you require assistance with the entire administration process or guidance on specific aspects of the estate.

We understand this can be a difficult time and aim to provide clear, practical support throughout.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)

A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to appoint people you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so in the future.

There are two types of LPA:

Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney

Allows attorneys to manage matters such as:

• Bank accounts

• Property
• Investments
• Bills and household expenses

Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney

Allows attorneys to make decisions regarding:

• Medical treatment

• Care arrangements
• Living arrangements
• Day-to-day welfare

Creating an LPA can provide reassurance that decisions will be made by people you trust should the need arise.

Estate Planning and Asset Protection

Careful estate planning can help preserve wealth for future generations while ensuring assets are distributed in accordance with your wishes.

Our team advises on:

• Estate planning strategies
• Inheritance tax planning
• Asset protection arrangements
• Succession planning
• Family wealth preservation
• Lifetime gifting arrangements

Every family situation is different, which is why our advice is tailored to your personal, financial and family circumstances.

Trusts

Trusts can be an effective way of protecting and managing assets.

They may be used for:

• Children and young beneficiaries
• Vulnerable beneficiaries
• Asset protection planning
• Tax planning purposes
• Personal injury compensation awards
• Family succession planning

We advise on both the creation and ongoing administration of trusts and can help determine whether a trust arrangement is appropriate for your circumstances.

Deputyship and Court of Protection

If a person has lost mental capacity and does not have a valid Lasting Power of Attorney in place, a Court of Protection application may be necessary.

We advise on:

• Deputyship applications
• Court of Protection proceedings
• Management of financial affairs
• Welfare issues
• Ongoing deputy responsibilities

Our solicitors can guide families through what can often be a sensitive and complex process.

Why choose CWJ?

Our Private Client team combines technical expertise with a compassionate and practical approach.

Clients choose us because we offer:

• Specialist Wills and Probate expertise
• STEP-qualified practitioners
• Tax and estate planning knowledge
• Accessible advice without legal jargon
• Flexible appointments, including home visits where appropriate
• Long-term support for individuals and families

We understand that these matters are often highly personal and will always take the time to understand your circumstances and priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Will?

If you want control over who inherits your estate, who administers your affairs and who cares for minor children, making a Will is strongly recommended.

What happens if I die without a Will?

Your estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy, which may not reflect your wishes or family circumstances.

What is probate?

Probate is the legal process of dealing with a person's estate after their death, including collecting assets, settling liabilities and distributing inheritance.

Do I need a solicitor for probate?

While it is possible to administer an estate yourself, many executors seek legal advice where estates are complex or involve tax, property or family issues.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose capacity in the future.

Can you help with inheritance tax planning?

Yes. We advise individuals and families on inheritance tax planning and wider estate planning strategies.

What is the difference between a trust and a Will?

A Will comes into effect after death, whereas a trust can operate during your lifetime or after death depending on how it is established.

Speak to our Wills and Probate Solicitors in Orpington

Whether you need help making a Will, planning for the future, creating a Lasting Power of Attorney or administering the estate of a loved one, our experienced Private Client team can help.

Contact our Wills and Probate Solicitors today on 01689 887887 or complete our online enquiry form for clear, practical and specialist legal advice.