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Wills & Probate
About Lyons Bowe
Driven by our Clients
4467+
Client Reviews
4.8
Head Office
Call us: 01749 345 756info@lyonsbowe.co.uk
Postal Address: 54 High Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AS
We will help you apply for legal authority to manage their estate. Our team handles the paperwork, probate process, and next steps, so you don’t have to face it alone.
Estate Advised
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Updated Documents
Introduction
If someone passes away without a Will, their estate is classed as ‘intestate’ meaning the law decides how their assets are distributed. Our probate solicitors guide families through the process of applying for a Grant of Letters of Administration, ensuring everything is handled properly, legally, and with sensitivity. We’ll help you understand who can apply, how the estate will be divided, and what steps are needed to complete the administration. Whether the estate is simple or complex, we provide practical support and fixed-fee options across England and Wales.
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Not all estates require a Grant of Administration. We’ll help you identify your specific needs.
We’ll help you by:
* Discussing the implications of intestacy.
* Checking asset thresholds and potential heirs.
* Arranging a free consultation with our specialists if unsure.
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Once we confirm the need, we’ll assist you in applying for Letters of Administration.
We’ll help you by:
* Preparing and submitting the necessary application.
* Guiding you through relevant tax forms.
* Ensuring all documentation complies with legal requirements.
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After obtaining the Grant, we’ll help manage the estate administration.
This stage may involve:
* Identifying and valuing all assets and liabilities.
* Paying any outstanding debts and taxes.
* Distributing assets in accordance with intestacy laws.
Once the estate is settled, we’ll provide a final report confirming the distribution of assets.
We’ll help you by:
* Summarising the administration process.
* Discussing any ongoing responsibilities.
* Ensuring all beneficiaries are informed and satisfied.
Intestacy and Letters of Administration doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Our team is here to guide you through every step, with clarity, flexibility, and support, so you can protect the people and wishes that matter most.
Not all estates require a Grant of Administration. We’ll help you identify your specific needs.
We’ll help you by:
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Once we confirm the need, we’ll assist you in applying for Letters of Administration.
We’ll help you by:
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After obtaining the Grant, we’ll help manage the estate administration.
This stage may involve:
Once the estate is settled, we’ll provide a final report confirming the distribution of assets.
We’ll help you by:
Our Wills solicitors are here to make preparing for the future simple, so that you can be at ease in the present and enjoy it with confidence.
Your legal future is deeply personal, and we understand that. Whether you prefer the convenience of making your Will over a video call between putting the laundry on and doing the school run, or would rather visit us face-to-face to talk about things over tea and biscuits, the choice is yours. We’re committed to giving you a service that suits your lifestyle, your way.
Our firm works in an integrated, seamless structure. This means that if you’re dealing with a loved one’s estate whilst you make or update your own Will, all of our departments will work together and rally around you to support you in every way we can.
Whether you’re working out what to do after the death of a loved one, or planning to secure your family’s future, our Wills & Probate Solicitors will help you to make informed choices in a safe, supportive environment.
Choosing the right solicitor for your Will, LPA, Trust, or Probate needs is about more than just legal expertise, it is about finding a team you can trust to guide you through life's important moments with compassion, structure, and genuine support. At Lyons Bowe, we are proud to offer a Wills & Probate service that is built around real people, real futures, and real care.
Personal, Compassionate Service
We understand that planning for the future or managing the loss of a loved one can feel overwhelming. Our team takes the time to explain everything clearly, listen to your needs, and make the legal process as simple and supportive as possible.
Structured, Modern Approach
We have built a better way of delivering Wills & Probate services, combining structured workflows, smart digital tools, and clear next steps to keep everything on track and transparent.
Giving Back Through Every Will
Through our Lyons Bowe Charity Will Scheme, we help clients leave lasting legacies by supporting UK-registered charities, building a future that benefits not just families, but communities too.
Clear, Fair Fees
No surprises. We offer fixed-fee pricing wherever possible, and make sure you know exactly what to expect at every stage of the process.
We offer advice on Wills, LPAs, care fee planning, and protecting assets.
Explore
To help bring clarity and security during this time, we strongly recommend updating your Will.
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Ensure a seamless property transaction with our transparent and efficient legal expertise.
ExploreThrough the Lyons Bowe Charity Will Scheme, we also help clients create a legacy by offering you 50% off our standard Will-writing fees when you include a charitable gift whilst planning for your future.
It is part of our commitment to supporting causes that matter, and using legal services to make a real difference.
From online appointments, fixed-fee pricing to secure digital storage and registration with the National Will Register, everything we do is built around your peace of mind.
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Over £4 Million Pledged in 2024
Together with our clients, we have helped pledge over £4 million to charities through the Lyons Bowe Charity Will Scheme in 2024. Every pledge, no matter the size, is a step towards real change. Join thousands of others making a lasting difference through their Will.
Support Any UK-Registered Charity
With our scheme, you are free to leave a gift to any UK-registered charity of your choice. Whether it is a national organisation or a cause close to your heart, we make it easy to include a meaningful gift in your Will, on your terms.
Discounted Wills, Expert Support
When you leave a gift to charity in your Will, we will join your contribution by providing you with a 50% discount on our standard fees. Our experienced team will guide you through every step offering clear, compassionate advice to help you create a Will that reflects your wishes.
Forget the confusing lingo and overly wordy explanations. Our app makes sense of it all. Seamless, convenient and designed with you in mind.
Managing an estate after a death is never easy, but Lyons Bowe handled everything with complete professionalism and care. I would not hesitate to recommend their Probate services to anyone.
Michael Philip, Estate Administration
Darrell and the team were incredible. They guided us through setting up Wills and LPAs with clear advice and real personal warmth. Nothing was too much trouble. Highly recommend.
Anonymous Client, Wills & Lasting Powers of Attorney
Lyons Bowe made the whole process of writing my Will completely stress-free. Every step was explained clearly, handled professionally, and completed faster than I expected.
Richard Lewis, Will Writing
After losing a parent, I needed support with Probate. Lyons Bowe handled everything professionally and with real sensitivity, guiding me through every step.
Hugh, Probate Services
Darrell and the team were wonderful. They made writing our wills straightforward and even helped with advice on future tax planning.
Anonymous Client, Will Writing & Inheritance Planning
The whole process was clearly explained and handled with respect. I was kept updated at every stage and felt completely supported.
Richard Lewis, Will Writing
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A Lasting Power of Attorney comes to an end when the person who made it (the donor) passes away. It can also end if the donor regains their mental capacity (if the LPA was activated because they had lost capacity). The donor can also choose to cancel ('revoke') the LPA while they still have mental capacity. In some situations, if an attorney becomes bankrupt or loses their own mental capacity, their role as attorney might also end.
EPA stands for Enduring Power of Attorney. These were replaced by Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) in 2007. If you made an EPA before then, it's still valid. However, you can't make a new EPA now – you would need to make an LPA instead. LPAs are generally seen as more comprehensive and have more safeguards in place.
No, the witness and the certificate provider cannot be the same person. The witness is there to confirm that you signed the LPA without being pressured. The certificate provider has to confirm that you understand what the LPA is and what it means, and that you're not being forced into making it. These are two separate important checks.
POA usually refers to Power of Attorney. For a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) with Lyons Bowe, our fees start from £250 plus VAT. There are also additional costs called disbursements, which include an £82 government application fee and a £20 plus VAT fee for ID checks. So, for one LPA, the total cost is usually around £406.
Our Fixed Fee LPAs start from £250 + 20% VAT and Disbursements. All in with the VAT and Disbursements, this represents: x1 LPA = £406, x2 LPA = £632:, 4 LPA = £916.
Not having an LPA makes things a lot more costly and complicated should you lose mental capacity. A person loses mental capacity when they are no longer of sound mind and able to make their own decisions. This could be due to an accident or a disease such as dementia. An LPA cannot be made once someone is deemed to have lost mental capacity. If you lose mental capacity without an LPA in place, no one will have the legal authority to manage your health or finances. It’s a common misconception that your spouse will automatically be able to take care of things but this isn’t the case. Your spouse or family member would need to obtain legal authority over your affairs and health via the Court of Protection. The person appointed will be called your ‘deputy’. This is a very long, costly, and complicated court process and may have to be repeated for every new decision the person needs to make on your behalf.
Whilst you don’t legally need a solicitor to make an LPA, it is strongly recommended that you do so. If your application is not correctly or sufficiently completed the first time, you may need to re-submit the application and re-pay the application fee to the Office of Public Guardian. A solicitor can help to keep costs down and ensure that your LPAs meet your needs. If you wish to leave any instructions to your attorneys, your solicitor can help you to word your wishes in such a way that makes them legally sound and clear.
This depends on the type of LPA you have. Some people choose to use their LPA whilst they still have mental capacity if they live abroad for extended periods of time throughout the year and wish for someone to handle their affairs whilst they are away. Most LPAs will take effect once a person loses mental capacity. A doctor will need to confirm that a person has lost mental capacity before the LPA can be used.
If you die without a Will, intestacy law decides who gets what, not you. We’ll help you create a legally valid Will that reflects your wishes, no matter how complex.
Lyons Bowe is a trading name of Lyons Bowe Limited, a limited company registered in England & Wales (registered number OC11526226) which is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority No. 652616. A list of Directors is available at our registered office 54 High Street, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 5AS
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