Yes. Many people assume everything automatically passes to their spouse, but this is not always the case, especially if you have children from a previous relationship, own property jointly, or have significant assets.
Without a Will, intestacy rules apply and your estate may not be divided as you would expect. A will ensures your spouse, children and anyone else you want to benefit are properly provided for.
It depends on the size and nature of the estate. Probate is usually needed if the person who died owned property in their sole name or had savings, investments or other assets above a certain threshold (typically £25,000, although banks set their own limits).
If everything was jointly owned and passed automatically to the surviving owner, probate may not be necessary. We can advise you on whether probate is required in your circumstances.
Yes. We understand that visiting our office is not always practical, especially if you have mobility issues or caring responsibilities.
We offer home visits across Altrincham, Cheshire and South Manchester. Just let us know when you get in touch and we will arrange a convenient time.
If you are based in South Manchester or Cheshire and are unable to attend our office, we are happy to come to you. Just give us a call.
Yes. When we act as professional attorney or deputy for vulnerable clients, we provide a 24/7, 365-day service. Clients, carers, doctors, nursing homes, and hospitals all have direct access to their solicitor’s personal mobile.
Crises often happen at night or weekends, and that’s exactly when vulnerable people need someone to advocate for them. We don’t know of another law firm that offers this level of support.
We offer an initial discussion to understand your situation and explain how we can help. This lets you decide whether estate planning is right for you before committing to any costs. Contact us to arrange a conversation.
There’s no automatic 50/50 split. The court aims for a fair outcome based on factors including the length of the marriage, each person’s financial needs and earning capacity, financial and non-financial contributions to the marriage, and the welfare of any children. The starting point is usually equal division, but the outcome depends on your specific circumstances.
You can arrange a meeting by giving us a call on 0161 928 3201, filling in our enquiry form or sending us an email at client.services@hillandcompany.co.uk
Look for a firm that’s Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accredited. This is the industry gold standard and means they meet strict requirements for client care, security, and compliance.
Check they’re on your mortgage lender’s approved panel. A local Altrincham firm can offer face-to-face meetings and knows the area, which helps when dealing with local authority searches or liaising with other solicitors in Trafford and Cheshire.
Look for a solicitor with specific expertise in inheritance tax and trusts, not just general Will writing. Check whether the firm holds the Law Society Wills & Inheritance Quality accreditation.
This confirms they meet the highest professional standards in this area. Ask whether you’ll deal with one solicitor throughout, and whether they’ll coordinate with your accountant or financial adviser. At Hill and Company, your solicitor handles your matter from start to finish.
A deputyship application typically takes three to six months from submission to receiving the court order. Complex cases, or those where family members disagree, can take longer.
Once appointed, a deputy must register with the Office of the Public Guardian and may need to obtain a security bond before they can act. We handle the entire process and keep you informed at every stage.
The minimum timeframe for a divorce is around six months from application to final order. After submitting the application and receiving acknowledgement, there’s a mandatory 20-week waiting period before you can apply for a conditional order, then a further six weeks before the final order. However, if financial matters are disputed, resolving everything can take considerably longer.
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