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Wills, Trusts and Estate Solicitors

At Butcher & Barlow, we understand the importance of planning for your future. We also understand that few people are comfortable thinking about their own mortality and consequently the conversation is difficult to begin. However, once started, that conversation can be a much easier than anticipated and with our guiding hand, you’ll find peace of mind in knowing that your loved ones are protected and provided for.

Our Private Client Team looks after the affairs of individual clients and trustees throughout the North West, from the young couple about to purchase their first house together, to business owners wanting to ensure that their business retains its value after their death. We can help to plan and manage all aspects of your finances, including Wills and Probate, Trusts, and Tax matters, both in life and on death.

We aim to get to know you and your objectives so that we can provide detailed, common-sense legal advice as well as practical assistance, tailored to your situation and needs. With branches across Cheshire and Manchester, our team are all highly-trained and well-regarded to always ensure your matter is dealt with expertly.

Our team are on hand to support you and your family when you need us. If you would like to arrange an appointment, whether by video, telephone of in person, to discuss your requirements, please get in touch with any member of our team. Alternatively, complete our enquiry form we will call you back as soon as possible.

How can we help you?

Whether your situation is simple or complicated, we will listen to your needs and provide tailored advice on the best way to ensure that your loved ones are protected and provided for. You will know what our fees will be from your very first appointment, and there will be no hidden charges for storing or releasing your Will.

If your circumstances change, so too may your needs and requirements in respect of your Will. Marriage revokes a Will so it is vitally important to revisit your Will if you are about to tie the knot.

 

 

We can ensure that your estate is set up in the most tax efficient way, whilst still ensuring that your personal requirements are met and your assets pass to those that you wish to benefit.

Trusts are often used for tax planning purposes as well as the protection of assets for future generations of the family. If our team think this is the best route for you, we will ensure that you fully understanding how a Trust operates, and the benefits which may be obtained as a result of having a Trust in place.

When a loved one passes away, you may be faced with the task of acting as their executor or administrator to deal with their affairs. We understand the stress that this adds to an already difficult and emotional time, especially if you have not received the right advice and support to guide you through the daunting process.

Our Team aims to provide a responsive and proactive service to ensure that the wishes of your loved ones are respected and carried out whilst also making the process as simple and straightforward as possible.

We offer a range of services, tailored to your specific needs, from simply obtaining the Grant of Probate, through to advising on and dealing with a range of tax issues and dealing with the full estate administration, including the calculation and settlement of any Inheritance Tax liability.

For information on our pricing, click here.

As we get older our thoughts often turn to what the future may hold and in particular the possibility of requiring some sort of care services. We provide advice as to the way that the care funding system works, what exemptions are available and the best way to ensure that your assets are protected or maintained for the longest period possible.

Our Dispute Resolution Team can assist with a disputes relating to complex trusts, agricultural arrangements, insolvent estates, actions to the Probate Registry, Court of Protection claims and Inheritance Act disputes. Our focus is on reaching a resolution and we will always explore all options for Alternative Dispute Resolution before deciding whether or not it is necessary to commence court proceedings. Click her to read more

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    Wills

    The Will writing process

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    Wills

    Choosing an Executor

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    Probate

    The probate process

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    Probate

    The Intestacy Rules explained

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    Probate

    Applying for probate: what you need to know

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    Probate

    Probate sales: What executors need to know

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    Tax & Succession Planning

    Gifting property: What you need to know

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    Tax & Succession Planning

    Don’t make HMRC your biggest beneficiary

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    an image of someone signing a trust deed close up

    A Guide to Setting up a Trust

    When many of us think of a trust, we would be forgiven for first thinking of large sums of money...

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    Chris Hopkins

    Chris Hopkins

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    Tim Bailey

    Tim Bailey

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    Sam Dale

    Samuel Dale

    Partner

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    Meet the
    Wills, Trusts and Estate Team

    Our people are what makes Butcher & Barlow what it is. Each one of our team is committed to building a solid, long-lasting working relationship with our clients across Bury, Manchester and Cheshire.

    Wills, Trusts and Estates Solicitors Insights

    What our clients say about our Wills, Trusts and Estates Solicitors Service

    I would like to say how helpful and professional you both were. You helped me to sort out everything that I wanted to put in place. For this I am extremely grateful. Thank you for all your hard work and kindness.

    Mrs M

    Helen Chadderton drafted the Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney for our extended family, taking considerable time to understand our circumstances to tailor the documents to our specific needs. The details were explained clearly and all information conveyed in a professional, friendly and sensitive manner. We are grateful that we now have everything in place which gives us peace of mind.

    Mr B

    From first talking to Helen she took me through the steps required to obtain a Grant of Probate. It sounded a long winded process, but the way it was handled it wasn't. Not only were things handled professionally, they were actioned in a sympathetic way with due consideration that we were dealing with the estate and the family home of over 60 years. We were kept informed of progress and all carried out on a fixed fee which did not change from the quote.

    Leslie

    Chris Hopkins was excellent in dealing with my late husband's estate and Probate efficiently and with kindness.

    Mrs A

    I had an excellent experience using Butcher & Barlow Bramhall for the drawing up of my Will. It was a difficult time for me and it seemed a bit of a daunting thing to do but Helen Chadderton made the process very clear and had a very approachable, pleasant and caring manner. Very happy with my experience, many thanks.

    Caroline

    We have nothing but praise for Jade Kay. My husband is disabled and she came to our home twice. Once to receive instruction and once to finalise and oversee our own signatures and those of our witnesses for both our Wills and 4 Lasting Powers of Attorney. Jade was prompt, respectful and courteous. She answered all our questions in a professional but friendly manner. We would have no hesitation in recommending Butcher & Barlow for their professional service and also for being great value for money.

    K Whitehead

    Well above all other experience of solicitors!

    Susan

    It was just very easy to deal with Butcher & Barlow LLP. We felt we were valued as clients by all of the staff we interacted with.

    The Legal 500 - 2025 Edition

    Chris Hopkins was very professional and gave us invaluable advice and support.

    The Legal 500 - 2025 Edition

    We found Mr Hopkins approachable and polite. He explained the procedure thoroughly in a knowledgeable way that we could understand. We found everyone involved to be helpful, efficient and professional at all times. I found the overall cost to be reasonable and not over priced. All in all, I would have no hesitation recommending Butcher & Barlow.

    S Greenhalgh

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