Loren Adkin, Solicitor

Make sure your will is up-to-date and accurately reflects your instructions

Register lasting Powers of Attorney at the earliest opportunity

Keep an up-to-date list of all asset organisations/holdings in a safe place so that it is easily accessible

Can I make a will myself?

I would advise you to seek professional legal advice when drafting a will to ensure it is valid and executed correctly. We also advise about inheritance tax when drafting wills, which someone doing it themselves may not necessarily consider

Do I have to register my Lasting Powers of Attorney straight away?

I would advise you register your LPA as soon as possible to avoid any future issues regarding capacity which may arise. This can take up to four months – so it’s better to get them registered sooner rather than later.

Can I sell the deceased property without a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration?

I would usually advise clients to wait until we are in receipt of the Grant before marketing the property for sale so that there are no delays with the sale transaction. The Grant is the formal document which allows the executors or personal representatives to deal with and administer the deceased estate.