Wills, Trust & Probate

At P.A. Duffy and Company we provide specialist wills services in Northern Ireland and Ireland to make sure your wishes are given effect after you have passed away.

It is not something we like to think about, but it is common sense to make wills in Northern Ireland in the interests of clarity after your death. Whether you wish to make provision for family, loved ones, friends or charities you will need to seek advice on estate planning and tax issues. This can all seem a bit overwhelming at first, however, our solicitors will explain everything to you. We make the process as straightforward as possible.

Our wills and probate legal team are approachable and professional in dealing with the sensitive issues involved in will making. Our solicitors in Northern Ireland and Dublin will engage with you and identify your intentions. They use their extensive knowledge and experience to give effect to your wishes.

For example, we may advise that it is appropriate for you to set up trusts to be incorporated within your will, this may allow greater flexibility especially if you intend to pass part of your estate to a child or minor.

At P.A. Duffy and Company we offer a range of services in this area including:

  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Probate
  • Estate planning
  • Inheritance tax
  • Intestacy

Wills Northern Ireland & Ireland

Many assume that drawing up a Will is an extensive process or that they will ‘get to it later’. However, in reality it is never too early to put a Will in place. To avoid any possible legal issues, it is best to have a solicitor draw up your Will rather than take the task upon yourself or to not do it at all.

There may also be circumstances when you may be incapacitated from, for example an illness or through a loss of mental capacity.

In these circumstances, you have options through the ‘lasting power of attorney’ this arrangement would be made in conjunction with your Will and it is a step towards ensuring your loved ones can make informed decisions for you.

Trusts 

A Trust is a legal instrument to appoint Trustees and for the transfer of assets to a Trust either during your lifetime or on your death through your Will. In Northern Ireland, trusts are overlooked by different pieces of legislation such as the Trustee Act 2001. Therefore, special advice is needed if you are deciding to create a Trust in your will. Or an alternative Lifetime Trust in order to make you fully aware of the possible implications of a Trust.

Probate 

Whether there is a will or not, P.A. Duffy & Co. can advise you about rights of possible beneficiaries and how to best deal with issues such as Inheritance Tax, Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax. For example, where Inheritance Tax is payable, the experts at P.A. Duffy & Co. can advise you on completing a deed of variation to lessen the amount of Tax due.

Estate planning

At P.A. Duffy & Co. we provide succession planning for individuals, families and owner managed businesses and companies. Our team concentrates on establishing simple yet effective solutions to alleviate potential liabilities to capital taxes.

Inheritance tax

You will be obliged to pay Inheritance Tax if the value of your estate is above £325,000. The standard Inheritance Tax rate is 40%, although it is only charged on the portion of your estate which is above the threshold. Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax that may be payable on an individual’s estate upon death. It could be dependent on a number of factors, such as: size of the estate and the types of transfers to be made.

Gifting

IHT may also be payable upon gifts made during a person’s lifetime. It will be payable on any ‘chargeable transfers’ made either during your lifetime or upon death. Inheritance Tax is a complex area. However, at P.A. Duffy & Co. our experienced solicitors can help with careful drafting of a Will which may make it possible to reduce the amount of tax which may be liable from your estate on your death.

Intestacy

This can happen when you die without making a will and your estate is administered according to the rules set out by legislation. In order to avoid that, you can make an enquiry with P.A. Duffy & Co. and our team will do their best to assist you.

Our experienced solicitors also provide advice on making changes to existing wills and are happy to address any queries or concerns you may have.

Make A Free Enquiry

Call us now on 028 8772 2102 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.

Wills, Trust & Probate was last modified: March 30th, 2023 by Conal McGarrity