Private Client Solicitors
If you need expert legal advice on writing a Will, applying for a Lasting Power of Attorney, or dealing with a loved one’s estate, our Solicitors, who have over 25 years of experience in private client law, can help.
Planning for the future is one of the most important things you can do for the people you care about. Yet most of us put it off. Whether you are making a Will for the first time, need to secure a Lasting Power of Attorney before illness makes decisions harder, or have found yourself responsible for administering a family member’s estate, we are here to make the process manageable.
At Law Lane Solicitors, we advise individuals and families from our offices in Stratford, Holborn, and Croydon. Our private client team works with clients at all stages of life, from young professionals putting a Will in place for the first time to elderly clients thinking about what happens if they can no longer manage their own affairs. We understand that these matters are deeply personal. Every client gets the time and attention their situation requires.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority regulates us. Where your estate involves complex tax or trust questions, we work closely with financial advisers and accountants to make sure your plans are properly coordinated.
“Excellent experience highly professional staff” – Mr PJ – Google Review
Our Private Client Legal Services
We advise on the full range of private client matters, including:
- Will drafting and Will reviews, including mirror Wills for couples and Wills that account for business interests or property held abroad
- Lasting Powers of Attorney for property and financial affairs, and for health and welfare decisions
- Advice on registering a Power of Attorney and what your family should do if a loved one loses mental capacity
- Estate administration and probate, including applying for a Grant of Probate and distributing assets to those entitled
- Intestacy advice where someone has died without a Will
- Trust creation and management, including discretionary trusts and trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries
- Inheritance tax planning and advice on how to reduce what is paid on your estate
- Court of Protection applications, including deputyship orders, where someone can no longer manage their own affairs
- Contested probate, including cases where the validity of a Will is challenged or a claim is made against an estate
- Advice for elderly clients on asset protection, care fee planning, and preparing for the future
Why Choose Law Lane Solicitors for Private Client Work?
A Will that contains errors or omissions can cause real distress for those left behind. A Lasting Power of Attorney that is not properly prepared may simply not work when your family needs it most. Our team understands what is at stake and treats every instruction accordingly.
We advise clients from a wide range of backgrounds across London, and several of our solicitors speak additional languages, including Urdu, Punjabi, and Hindi. Sensitive legal and financial matters should be discussed in a language you are entirely comfortable with, without needing to rely on a third party.
Many of our clients come to us through personal recommendation, having trusted us with their family’s legal needs for years. Whether your estate is straightforward or involves property in multiple countries, a family business, or a complex family structure, we will advise you clearly and handle the work with care.
Our Trustpilot rating of 4.95 from over 1,200 reviews reflects what our clients experience: clear communication, honest advice, and consistent results.
Please talk to us today to discuss your private client matter. Phone 020 7870 4870, email info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk or fill in our contact form.
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Members of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers
The Association of Lifetime Lawyers is a national association of independent lawyers who specialise in law for older clients. As specialists, we are trained in older client care which enables us to consider any difficulties, both mental and physical, which may affect older and vulnerable clients.
As a member of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, we will provide independent advice, which is in the best interests of the older or vulnerable client, respecting their dignity and understanding their need for a holistic approach to problem-solving.
WIQS Accreditation
Law Lane Solicitors is also accredited under the WIQS (Wills and Inheritance Quality Service) scheme. This accreditation shows that we follow the best practice procedures to achieve the highest standards of providing technical expertise.
As a WIQS accredited firm, we ensure that client service is maintained to the highest standard in providing tailored wills and probate advice which is specific to each individual client’s instructions.
We follow a plain English policy which means that we will always communicate in an easy and understandable language, and will explain any necessary legal terminology.
Law Lane Solicitors is proud to be accredited by The Association of Lifetime Lawyers.
Law Lane Solicitors is proud to be accredited under The Law Society’s Wills & Inheritance Quality Scheme.Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a solicitor to write a Will?
You are not legally required to use a solicitor, but a solicitor-drafted Will is far less likely to contain the errors that cause problems after you die. Common mistakes in home-made Wills include unclear gifts, invalid witness arrangements, and no provision for what happens if a beneficiary dies before you. Getting it right now costs considerably less than correcting it later.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that gives one or more people you trust the authority to act on your behalf if you lose the ability to make decisions yourself. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, there are two types: one covering property and financial affairs, and one covering health and welfare. Without an LPA in place, your family may have to apply to the Court of Protection to manage your affairs, which is a longer and more expensive process.
How long does probate take?
In straightforward cases where the deceased left a Will and the assets are relatively simple, the process can take between six and twelve months. Larger or more complex estates, or those where there is no Will, a tax liability, or a dispute, will take longer. We give you a realistic estimate at the outset based on the specific circumstances of the estate.
What happens if someone dies without a Will?
When someone dies without a Will, their estate passes under the rules of intestacy set out in the Administration of Estates Act 1925. These rules follow a fixed order: a surviving spouse or civil partner comes first, then children, then other relatives. Unmarried partners, stepchildren, and close friends receive nothing regardless of what the deceased may have wanted. We can advise you on who is entitled to what and help you administer the estate correctly.
Can I contest a Will?
Yes, there are several grounds. A Will can be challenged on the basis that the person who made it lacked mental capacity, was subjected to undue pressure, or that it was not properly signed and witnessed. Separately, certain family members and dependants can apply to the court for reasonable financial provision from an estate, even if they were left out entirely. Time limits apply to both types of claim, so take advice as soon as possible.
What does estate administration actually involve?
Estate administration covers everything from notifying banks, insurers, and government departments through to collecting in assets, settling debts and taxes, and distributing the estate to those entitled. In most cases, you will need a Grant of Probate before any financial institution will release funds. We can handle the entire process, or support you with specific stages if you prefer to manage some steps yourself.
What is the Court of Protection?
The Court of Protection makes decisions about the property, finances, health, and welfare of people who no longer have the mental capacity to decide for themselves. If someone has lost capacity without an LPA in place, the Court can appoint a deputy to act for them. That application process takes time and is supervised. Setting up an LPA while you still have capacity avoids it entirely.
How does inheritance tax work?
Inheritance tax is charged on estates above the nil-rate band, which currently stands at £325,000 per individual under the Inheritance Tax Act 1984. A further residence nil-rate band of £175,000 applies where a main home passes to direct descendants. Legitimate ways to reduce the tax payable include lifetime gifts, trusts, and reliefs for agricultural or business property. We advise on the options that suit your specific circumstances.
Law Lane Solicitors are pround runners-up of the Business Awards Wills and Probate Team of the Year.Wills & Probate Team
Tahir Shahab Khan
Supervising Director, Solicitor AdvocateView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Nehal Shah
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
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