Martin Smalley Solicitors Arnold, Nottingham - wills, probate, LPA's, conveyancing, matrimonial, child care, criminal law, employment, public funding

Facing the future is about more than simply making a Will. There could be children, inheritance, financial planning and retirement to think about.

As well as a comprehensive Will making service we can also provide specialist advice with legal and financial issues, an efficient will drafting service, practical advice about appointing executors, handling your estate, reducing inheritance tax and all at very competitive prices.

We are immensely proud of the sensitive and confidential service provided here at Martin Smalley & Co and our team of dedicated professionals are proficient at bringing together all the services you need to plan your future.

We are happy to arrange appointments at your home, place of business, hospital or care facility. Please contact:

Deanne Taylor, Partner
email: deanne.taylor@martinsmalley.co.uk tel:0115 9556555

Helena Gallagher, Trainee Solicitor
email: helena.gallagher@martinsmalley.co.uk tel:0115 9660504

Marcia Petcher, Paralegal
email: marcia.petcher@martinsmalley.co.uk tel: 0115 9660508

Lynne Parker, Legal Assistant
email: lynne.parker@martinsmalley.co.uk tel: 01159660509

Most people have some understanding of what a Will is and at some time all of us have considered making one. Some may think that making a Will in their current personal and financial circumstances is unnecessary and if, for example they do not make a Will their spouse, partner or children will in any event inherit their estate.

For those who never get round to making a Will, the rules of 'Intestacy' will decide where your assets including your house and your business will go. The rules of intestacy provide strict guidelines as to who should benefit from your estate according to its size and whether you leave a spouse or civil partner - i.e. people wrongly assume that his/her estate will pass to their spouse but this is not automatically the case, and where the family home is owned solely by the deceased it may not pass in its entirety to the surviving spouse.

For many people, an important issue will be who will look after minor children upon their demise. When you make a Will, you appoint Guardians, i.e. people who will look after your children upon your death. A Guardian will be able to exercise full parental responsibility as if he or she were the child's parent.

When you make a Will you can also make adequate financial provision for the Guardians to help with the care and education of your child(ren) until they attain the age of majority.

If your child is disabled in any way, the length of time for which provision for their care will need to be made will be longer, possibly for their whole life, depending upon the extend of their disability. A special type of 'Trust' may be the best way to provide for a disabled child and here at Martin Smalley & Co we can provide specialist advice to guide you along the way.

Making a Will is usually a straightforward process - but it can have huge benefits for those you leave behind, including:

Appointing executors to administer your estate
Appointing Guardians for your children
Making gifts of money or property to family, friends or favourite charities
Choosing who receives your money or property
Creating Trusts for children or other family members (if necessary)
Indicating your preferred funeral arrangements
Reducing or even eliminating tax liabilities

Inheritance Tax Planning

More and more people find that the value of their home has created a potential liability to inheritance tax on their death. By careful planning it is possible to minimise or even eliminate IHT. We are more than happy to advise you to ensure your assets pass to your loved ones whilst minimising any tax liability.