Dealing with an estate means sorting out the money, property and possessions someone owned after they die. In practice this involves collecting in everything they owned, paying off any debts, and distributing what’s left to the people legally entitled to inherit. Brockbanks Solicitors offers knowledge-led support to help you get everything in order, so you’re not facing it alone.

Losing mental capacity means a person is no longer able to make certain decisions for themselves, often because of illness, a stroke, or a condition such as dementia. It can affect decisions about their finances, their care, or their medical treatment. At Brockbanks Solicitors, we help families understand their options and take the right legal steps to protect a loved one’s wellbeing and dignity.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you (the donor) appoint one or more people you trust (your attorneys) to make decisions on your behalf if you are ever unable to. It means the right people can step in to manage your affairs when it matters most. At Brockbanks Solicitors, our private client team guides you through choosing an attorney and putting the document in place.

A trust is a legal arrangement where assets such as property, shares or cash are looked after by trustees for the benefit of someone else, often young children or grandchildren. It lets you set aside and protect assets while making sure they are managed responsibly. At Brockbanks Solicitors, our job is to help you identify the right approach for your assets and get all the documentation in place.

A will is the only way to be sure your money, property and possessions go to the people you choose. Without one, the rules of intestacy decide who inherits, which may not reflect your wishes and can leave unmarried partners or stepchildren with nothing. At Brockbanks Solicitors, we help every adult put a clear, valid will in place so the people closest to you are looked after just as you intended.

A Grant of Probate is a legal document that gives a named person the authority to collect in the assets and deal with someone’s estate. In most cases a grant is needed before you can access bank accounts, sell property or distribute the estate. We can obtain the Grant of Probate on your behalf and guide you through what comes next.

If a loved one loses capacity before making a Lasting Power of Attorney, no one can simply be appointed to act for them automatically. Instead, you may need to apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order, which legally appoints a deputy to make decisions on their behalf. Brockbanks Solicitors can guide you through this application and stand by you at every stage.

There are two types: one for health and welfare, and one for property and financial affairs. You can make one or both, depending on what you want to cover. We’ll explain the difference clearly and help you decide which is right for your circumstances, so nothing important is left unprotected.

Trusts are often used to provide for a husband or wife after death while protecting children’s interests, to safeguard a young person’s inheritance until they’re old enough to manage it, or to provide for a vulnerable relative. They can also help with succession planning in a family business. We’ll listen to your situation and advise whether a trust is the right fit for what you want to achieve.

While it is possible to write a will without professional help, mistakes can lead to disputes or invalid documents. By working with specialist solicitors, you benefit from expert guidance that ensures your will is legally sound and reflects your true intentions. Our private client team at Brockbanks Solicitors tailors your will to your circumstances and explains every step in plain English.