Probate & Estate Administration

At Cavell Solicitors, we understand that dealing with the estate of a loved one can be both emotionally and administratively overwhelming. Our probate and estate administration service is designed to relieve you of the legal and financial burdens associated with this complex process.

John Smith, with over 25 years of experience, offers end-to-end guidance in all aspects of probate law—from applying for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration to settling debts, paying taxes, and distributing assets in accordance with the will or intestacy rules.

• Accurate valuation and inventory of estate assets
• Preparation and submission of inheritance tax (IHT) returns to HMRC
• Resolution of disputes and challenges, including contested wills
• Distribution of estate funds and property to rightful beneficiaries
• Handling foreign assets and cross-border probate matters
• Advising executors and acting as a professional executor if required

We work with families, individuals, and financial institutions to ensure the administration process is handled with sensitivity, clarity, and strict legal compliance. Whether the estate is modest or highly complex, you can trust us to manage it with integrity and discretion.

Will Drafting & Execution

A legally sound and thoughtfully drafted will is one of the most important documents you will ever create. At Cavell Solicitors, we provide expert will drafting services to ensure that your assets are distributed exactly according to your wishes while minimizing disputes and tax implications.

Whether you're drafting a will for the first time or updating an existing one, John Smith offers professional advice tailored to your personal, family, and financial circumstances. Our process is discreet, efficient, and compliant with all legal standards under UK law.

• Custom will drafting for individuals, families, and business owners
• Review and revision of existing wills
• Ensuring legal validity under the Wills Act 1837
• Appointment of executors and guardians for dependents
• Inclusion of specific gifts, residuary clauses, and charitable bequests
• Advice on minimizing inheritance tax through effective will structuring

Our goal is to give you peace of mind by crafting a will that reflects your values, safeguards your estate, and protects your loved ones. We also offer will storage and annual reviews to keep your arrangements up to date with any life or legal changes.

Trust Formation & Management

Trusts are powerful legal instruments used to protect wealth, ensure privacy, and provide for family members across generations. At Cavell Solicitors, we offer expert advice on establishing, managing, and restructuring trusts for both domestic and international clients.

John Smith helps clients choose the right type of trust based on their unique financial goals, tax considerations, and succession plans. Our services are especially beneficial for high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and families with complex estate needs.

• Advice on choosing the most appropriate trust type (e.g., discretionary, bare, charitable)
• Drafting trust deeds and letters of wishes
• Appointing trustees and advising on trustee duties
• Ongoing trust management and compliance with UK law
• Tax planning through trust structures (Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax)
• Offshore and cross-border trust formation where applicable

We also work closely with financial advisors and tax professionals to ensure trusts are not only legally sound but financially effective. Whether you are setting up a new trust or need support managing an existing one, we offer clear, confidential, and practical guidance at every stage.

Inheritance Tax Planning

Inheritance Tax (IHT) can significantly reduce the value of your estate passed on to loved ones. At Cavell Solicitors, we help individuals and families proactively plan to reduce or eliminate unnecessary tax exposure while preserving wealth for future generations.

John Smith combines deep knowledge of tax law with a strategic approach to ensure your estate benefits from available exemptions, reliefs, and structuring options. Whether your estate is straightforward or complex, our planning ensures full legal compliance and maximum tax efficiency.

• Lifetime gifting strategies and Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs)
• Use of trusts to reduce IHT liability
• Maximising nil-rate bands and residence nil-rate band (RNRB)
• Business and agricultural property relief planning
• Advice on charitable giving and legacy donations
• Cross-border inheritance tax implications and double taxation treaty advice

Our holistic planning process is tailored to your goals and assets. We collaborate with accountants, wealth managers, and tax specialists to deliver integrated solutions that ensure your estate is structured in the most tax-efficient and family-friendly manner.

Cross-Border Estate Issues

Managing estates across multiple jurisdictions can be fraught with legal and tax complications. Cavell Solicitors offers expert cross-border estate planning and administration to help you navigate the complexities of international assets, differing inheritance laws, and residency concerns.

John Smith provides comprehensive legal support for clients with property, businesses, or beneficiaries located overseas. Whether you're a UK resident with foreign assets or a non-resident inheriting from a UK estate, we ensure that your interests are fully protected.

• Advising on foreign wills and recognition in the UK
• Dealing with international grants of probate and resealing
• Double taxation treaties and inheritance tax relief
• Estate planning for expatriates and international families
• Advice on EU succession regulation (Brussels IV) compliance
• Coordinating with overseas lawyers and tax experts

Our global network of legal and financial professionals ensures smooth coordination across borders. With meticulous planning and legal precision, we help clients achieve tax efficiency and legal clarity in all international estate matters.

Financial & Investment Advisory

At Cavell Solicitors, we understand that financial wellbeing is integral to your legacy. That’s why we offer more than legal support — we help you make smart financial decisions that align with your personal, family, and business goals.

Through our close collaboration with licensed financial planners, wealth managers, and investment advisors, we craft integrated solutions that blend legal precision with long-term financial growth. Whether you are planning retirement, managing inheritance, or structuring your portfolio, we are by your side.

• Personalised wealth structuring strategies
• Tax-efficient investments and retirement planning
• Succession planning for family businesses
• Financial due diligence for trust or asset transfers
• Risk assessment and estate liquidity planning
• Independent guidance across regulated financial sectors

Our mission is to empower clients to build, preserve, and pass on their wealth with confidence. You benefit from both legal security and financial foresight — ensuring your assets work as hard for your future as you did to earn them.

UK Estate Law Compliance

Legal compliance is the cornerstone of sound estate planning. At Cavell Solicitors, we ensure every element of your estate is structured and executed in strict accordance with UK laws and statutory guidelines.

Whether drafting a will, establishing a trust, or executing probate, our practice adheres to all major legislation including the Wills Act 1837, the Inheritance Tax Act 1984, and current HMRC regulations. We also stay ahead of updates from the Ministry of Justice and the Law Society.

• Full legal review of all documents for statutory compliance
• Risk assessment for litigation, contestation, or breaches
• Application of best practices for GDPR and data protection
• Tax transparency and HMRC-approved structuring
• Compliance with international reporting standards (e.g., CRS, FATCA)

Our clients rest assured knowing their estate plans meet the highest standards of legal rigour. With Cavell Solicitors, compliance is not an afterthought — it’s built into everything we do.

Trustee & Executor Services

Appointing a trustworthy executor or trustee is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your estate planning journey. At Cavell Solicitors, we provide independent and impartial trustee and executor services to ensure your estate is administered exactly as you intended—ethically, efficiently, and with minimal disruption.

With decades of experience managing estates and administering trusts, John Smith brings both legal precision and compassionate understanding to the role. Whether acting alone or alongside family members, our role is to safeguard your wishes while upholding all fiduciary duties and statutory obligations.

• Independent executor appointments for unbiased estate administration
• Full execution of wills, including debt settlement and asset distribution
• Trustee services for discretionary, fixed-interest, and charitable trusts
• Compliance with The Trustee Act 2000 and fiduciary law
• Support for ongoing trust management, reporting, and beneficiary liaison
• Dispute avoidance and conflict resolution in sensitive family dynamics

As your appointed executor or trustee, we offer a steady hand through potentially complex transitions—ensuring that every step is carried out with integrity, accountability, and respect for your legacy.