Care Planning Care plans are an important consideration when you (or a loved one) start to lose capacity. There are many ways of funding care and it is important to know what options are available to you and how they can be accessed. To avoid paying unnecessary fees, it is important to know what capital assets and income are excluded and included in the assessment and what exemptions and reliefs are available on assets. ​ We can also review your Will and prepare your Lasting Power of Attorney to ensure that you are equipped for the future, should the worst happen. Our team specialise in care planning advice and are here to help guide you through the assessment process. We hand pick agencies and staff to provide care and build a package around you and your needs. ​ It is not just the practical care that we help with. We also help coordinate the essentials (dental care, optician visits, chiropody, hospital and doctor visits), and the luxury (hairdressing, manicures, pedicures, and general pampering) within our care support packages. Getting Started frequently asked questions What can go into your will? Each Will is unique but here are some examples of what yours might include: ​ Name of your executor (who will manage the Will) Any Legal Guardians for your children Your funeral wishes/arrangements Personal assets (e.g. jewellery, cars, pictures) Financial assets (money in the bank accounts, any property you own) Name your beneficiaries (who you are leaving your assets to) Why do I need a Will? You decide when you make a Will who you leave your assets to. As soon as you begin to save, purchase your first home, have your first child or inherit money a Will becomes essential. Without a Will you have no say in how your estate will be dealt with and instead, your assets will be divided according to the law. Your family may not end up with all that you wish or their future may be complicated by assets going elsewhere. As long as you are able to give instructions and have capacity to make a Will you can. You decide who will be your executor, who will be the guardian of your young children, who you leave your personal items to and all of your other assets. Do I need a lawyer to write my Will? It is not essential for a lawyer to write your Will. However, the value that a lawyer brings to making a Will is the advice they provide in relation to taxation, care planning, conflict of interest and practicalities. They are also familiar with the terminology that is used to interpret Wills by the Courts so can add valuable insight into what could be the difference between a valid Will or an invalid Will. Where does my Will live? We hold on to all the Wills so that it is safely kept. All our newly written Wills are also added to the National Will Register. What should I never put in my Will? Always carefully word gifts in your will to avoid giving something away that you might not have at your death (E.g. a bank account that may close before you die). Your Will is a private document so anything that you write in it remains confidential. However, once a Grant of Probate has been issued it becomes a public document which means that anyone can apply to the Probate Registry for a copy. Therefore, it’s best not to include any sensitive reasons as to your thoughts; you don't want the world to see you airing your family disputes in public. It is best to leave out a clause in your will that goes into detail about why you have excluded a beneficiary from your estate. These are often sensitive issues. By all means, you can say that you have specifically excluded a beneficiary but if you feel the need to tell people why, do this in a separate letter to your executors which sits with your will. "Working with Argo has been calm, straightforward and incredibly reassuring. I could not recommend them highly enough" ​ - Mrs Normal, Maidstone Have you listened to our podcast? Click here Have you read our Care Planning Blog? Click here Get in touch by email, phone, or live chat Details here

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Life Support Care plans are an important consideration when you (or a loved one) start to lose capacity. There are many ways of funding care and it is important to know what options are available to you and how they can be accessed. To avoid paying unnecessary fees, it is important to know what capital assets and income are excluded and included in the assessment and what exemptions and reliefs are available on assets. ​ We can also review your Will and prepare your Lasting Power of Attorney to ensure that you are equipped for the future, should the worst happen. Our team specialise in care planning advice and are here to help guide you through the assessment process. We hand pick agencies and staff to provide care and build a package around you and your needs. ​ It is not just the practical care that we help with. We also help coordinate the essentials (dental care, optician visits, chiropody, hospital and doctor visits), and the luxury (hairdressing, manicures, pedicures, and general pampering) within our care support packages. Getting Started frequently asked questions What can go into your will? Each Will is unique but here are some examples of what yours might include: ​ Name of your executor (who will manage the Will) Any Legal Guardians for your children Your funeral wishes/arrangements Personal assets (e.g. jewellery, cars, pictures) Financial assets (money in the bank accounts, any property you own) Name your beneficiaries (who you are leaving your assets to) Why do I need a Will? "Working with Argo has been calm, straightforward and incredibly reassuring. I could not recommend them highly enough" ​ - Mrs Normal, Maidstone You decide when you make a Will who you leave your assets to. As soon as you begin to save, purchase your first home, have your first child or inherit money a Will becomes essential. Without a Will you have no say in how your estate will be dealt with and instead, your assets will be divided according to the law. Your family may not end up with all that you wish or their future may be complicated by assets going elsewhere. As long as you are able to give instructions and have capacity to make a Will you can. You decide who will be your executor, who will be the guardian of your young children, who you leave your personal items to and all of your other assets. Do I need a lawyer to write my Will? It is not essential for a lawyer to write your Will. However, the value that a lawyer brings to making a Will is the advice they provide in relation to taxation, care planning, conflict of interest and practicalities. They are also familiar with the terminology that is used to interpret Wills by the Courts so can add valuable insight into what could be the difference between a valid Will or an invalid Will. Where does my Will live? We hold on to all the Wills so that it is safely kept. All our newly written Wills are also added to the National Will Register. What should I never put in my Will? Always carefully word gifts in your will to avoid giving something away that you might not have at your death (E.g. a bank account that may close before you die). Your Will is a private document so anything that you write in it remains confidential. However, once a Grant of Probate has been issued it becomes a public document which means that anyone can apply to the Probate Registry for a copy. Therefore, it’s best not to include any sensitive reasons as to your thoughts; you don't want the world to see you airing your family disputes in public. It is best to leave out a clause in your will that goes into detail about why you have excluded a beneficiary from your estate. These are often sensitive issues. By all means, you can say that you have specifically excluded a beneficiary but if you feel the need to tell people why, do this in a separate letter to your executors which sits with your will. Have you listened to our podcast? Click here Have you read our Care Planning Blog? Click here Get in touch by email, phone, or live chat Details here

Lasting Power of Attorney Fees and charges There are many ways to complete a Lasting Power of Attorney. You can do this yourself, you can take professional advice or you can meet in the middle. Argo offers a service that will help you the most. Remember, you are not paying us to complete a form and tick some boxes but for the important advice surrounding the operation of the Lasting Powers. ​ We have designed three options of how we charge for work relating to Lasting Powers of Attorney. Remember, there are both property and affairs Lasting Powers that you can complete. You may require one or both of these documents but it is up to you to decide whether you complete one or both. ​ ​ Option On e - t he wo rks ! ​ If you wish to just receive completed registered lasting powers and leave the hassle of completing the forms to someone else the work we do will include:- ​ M eeting you to explain lasting powers of attorney and how they work Advising you in relation to the appointment of attorneys, replacement attorneys, restrictions and conditions, how to appoin t attorneys, when they should be used, notifying individuals and certificate providing Completion of draft lasting powers and providing letter of advice for consideration Meeting you to sign the lasting powers Acting as certifi cate provider if required Co-ordinating signature of the lasting powers by certificate provider and attorneys Co-ordinating reg istration of lasting powers with the Office of the Public Guardian If you opt for “the works” we will make fi xed charges as follows:- ​ One Lasting Powe r of Attorney £600 plus VAT and one court fee of £82 ​ Two Lasting Powers of Attorney £800 plus VAT and two court fees £164 ​ Three Lasting Powers of Attorney £1000 plus three court fees £246 ​ Four Lasting Powers of Attorney £1200 plus VAT plus four court fees £328 ​ ​ ​Option Two – acting as certificate provider If you do not wish us to complete the whole job of preparing and registering your lasting powers of attorney we are able to just act as certificate provider. Our fixed costs for this are:- One Lasting Power of Attorney £300 plus VAT ​ Two Lasting Powers of Attorney £400 plus VAT ​ Three Lasting Powers of Attorney £500 plus VAT ​ Four Lasting Powers of Attorney £600 plus VAT Option three – just checking If you just want to be reassured that the forms you have completed are correct, witnessed and dated as they should be we can just check them over for you. Our fixed costs for this are £300 plus VAT ie £360 for however many you need checking. Please note we will not be advising you in relation to completing the forms just that the content is correct for registration. ​ Other charges Disbursements These are fees that are payable to third parties other than Argo for other services that may be provided. You will encounter the following charges:- Office of the Public Guardian application fee £82 per document (Please note that you may be eligible for an exemption or remission in relation to these fees depending upon the benefits you receive and gross income you receive). ​ Electronic identification check (per name) £15 plus VAT HM Land Registry office copy £6 I f you wish Argo to provide certified copies of the lasting powers for use then we may additional certificate charges of £25 plus VAT per copy. What is not included in the above? There may be other services that you require in relation to the completion of lasting powers of attorney. These could be:- ​ Search of the Office of the Public Guardian register no charge Deed of revocation (previous lasting power or EPA) £200 plus VAT ie £240 Completion of business lasting power of attorney £1,000 to £2,000 plus VAT ie £1,200 to £2,400 Action following objection to registration Fee negotiated at point of advice Attorneyship advice Fee negotiated at point of advice ​

Wills Protect your family write your Will today... Click here for costs information Making a will is the responsible thing to do, but many people put it off for days, weeks and even years. At Argo Life & Legacy we make this process easy and headache-free by offering solutions that suit everyone from online, over the phone, or coming to your home. Our friendly team explain every step so you don't have go through all those documents alone. ​ Hassle free your way! ​ Together we develop a plan that protects your family. ​ Practical benefits: A will protects your loved ones You'll have peace of mind knowing that everything is taken care of Things are not left to chance Emotional benefits: Your loved ones will be grateful for the protection you've given them Your family won't need to worry about what happens to your assets when you pass away, because it's already been planned and prepared in advance ​ To find out more contact us today on 01622 843729 Your next steps.. Think about your family Who do you care for and love and want to inherit from your estate? Write a list in order of those who are important to you with the most important at the top. What are you going to leave behind? Think about what you may leave behind: Your home, money, shares, antiques, personal things, photos and sentimental items. Make a call We know that when it comes to legal matters, you need the very best support possible. That's why we have a team of specialists on hand to help you out. just simply book a call back Book Here Or download our FREE guide Download here

Intestacy Protect your family write your Will today... Intestacy is what happens if you die without a Will. This can cause all sorts of problems as your family and friends struggle to sort out your estate and who gets what. It can also be very costly as your loved ones have to apply to the court for a Grant of Letters of Administration, which can be a lengthy and complicated process. If you have a spouse and young children and do not have a will your children could inherit assets which you would prefer to go to your spouse. If you have no close family distance cousins you have never met could inherit over partners or close friends. If you haven't got around to making a Will yet, now is the time to do it. It doesn't have to be a long and complicated document. It could save your loved ones a lot of heartache . ​ ​ ​ Intestacy Questionnaire

Court of Protection - Deputyships Property and Affairs The Court of Protection was established with the intention of looking after the affairs of those who are unable to make decisions for themselves with regards to their property and affairs. This could be due to a number of reasons, from serious brain injuries to learning disabilities. In such cases, the Court can make a variety of orders to appoint someone to act on the individual's behalf or direct that a specific action takes place. These actions could include financial matters such as daily administration, tax planning, making a gift, and acting as a trustee. Argo has a team of skilled advisers who are equipped to offer guidance and support with any financial application to the Court of Protection. It is essential to have all the necessary support and advice in place for individuals who lack capacity to make these decisions themselves, and the Court of Protection serves as the perfect solution. Unlock the Power of Property and Affairs Deputyship ​ Property and Affairs Deputyship is typically the go-to application for the Court of Protection. Whether it's managing everyday financial tasks or major decisions like selling a house or handling lottery winnings, this authority allows someone to make essential choices on behalf of those unable to do so themselves. No judge necessary for simple cases - an administrative officer can handle it efficiently. Appointment of New Trustee Looking for a new trustee for your trust? Don't wait until it's too late! Ensure your trust is secure and in capable hands by acting now. Whether due to the original trustees health, age, incapacity or other personal reasons, having the right number of trustees is crucial when making decisions like investing monies or selling properties. Let us help you navigate this process smoothly and efficiently. Making a Gift under a Deputyship? Making a gift from someone who lacks capacity can be a tricky process. While some gifts can be made by an deputy, there are very limited options available. Any other gifts must be approved by the Court of Protection. This involves an application process that outlines the reasons for the gift, as well as the financial implications it may have on the individual. Evidence must be provided to show that the gift is in the best interest of the person in question. At Argo, we only make applications that we feel are likely to succeed. We can assist with every step of the process, including completing the application papers, serving documents, and liaising with the relevant parties. So if you need to make a gift on behalf of someone's property and affairs, rest assured that we have the expertise to help. Can I tax plan under a deputyship? ​ For individuals lacking capacity, there is still a possibility for their estate to be managed in a tax efficient way to reduce inheritance tax and capital gains tax. This can be accomplished through an application to the Court of Protection for permission to give assets away as part of property and affairs tax planning. The process involves providing detailed information to the Court to evaluate whether or not it is in the best interests of an individual. Prior to approval, a significant benefit to the estate must be demonstrated, and adequate assets must remain within the estate for long-term care needs. Reports and before-and-after scenarios must also be presented. Overall, the process is complex and requires careful consideration of all factors involved. Can I make a Will under a deputyship? ​ Making a will can be a daunting task, but it's something that everyone should consider as they grow older. If you lack capacity or haven't made a will yet, you're not alone. The Court of Protection can help with a special kind of will known as a statutory will. This type of will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for your property and affairs. The process of making a statutory will involves drafting a will and having it approved by the Court. Family members and potential beneficiaries will need be contacted to ensure that everyone is aware of the proposed terms. If there are any objections to the new will, a hearing will be required to determine the exact terms. With the help of the Court of Protection and Argo, you can make sure that your last wishes are respected, no matter what your circumstances may be. ​ Things to think about ​ Embarking on a Court process can seem daunting, especially when it comes to matters concerning the Court of Protection and property and affairs. ​ While deputyship applications are usually straightforward, situations can arise where hearings become necessary. Applications for making gifts, entering into tax planning, and statutory wills all increase the likelihood of such hearings. In cases where there are objections to an application, costs can quickly escalate, with hearings and expert evidence contributing to the strain. It is essential to seek advice before making any application to the Court of Protection. With our expertise, we can guide you through the process and let you know if it's the right decision for you. The last thing anyone needs is an unexpected costs bill from a lawyer. ​ That's why we are here - not just to prepare the application but to advise on whether it is a good idea to begin with! Important Notice: Deputyship applications for Property & Affairs and Health & Welfare are distinct, with separate costs for each. Unlock the support you need with Property & Affairs Deputyship. Ready to learn more about how Argo Life & Legacy can guide you? ​ ​ start a conversation with our dedicated team. Click here

LifeLine Care plans are an important consideration when you (or a loved one) start to lose capacity. There are many ways of funding care and it is important to know what options are available to you and how they can be accessed. To avoid paying unnecessary fees, it is important to know what capital assets and income are excluded and included in the assessment and what exemptions and reliefs are available on assets. ​ We can also review your Will and prepare your Lasting Power of Attorney to ensure that you are equipped for the future, should the worst happen. Our team specialise in care planning advice and are here to help guide you through the assessment process. We hand pick agencies and staff to provide care and build a package around you and your needs. ​ It is not just the practical care that we help with. We also help coordinate the essentials (dental care, optician visits, chiropody, hospital and doctor visits), and the luxury (hairdressing, manicures, pedicures, and general pampering) within our care support packages. Each Will is unique but here are some examples of what yours might include: ​ Name of your executor (who will manage the Will) Any Legal Guardians for your children Your funeral wishes/arrangements Personal assets (e.g. jewellery, cars, pictures) Financial assets (money in the bank accounts, any property you own) Name your beneficiaries (who you are leaving your assets to) Why do I need a Will? You decide when you make a Will who you leave your assets to. As soon as you begin to save, purchase your first home, have your first child or inherit money a Will becomes essential. Without a Will you have no say in how your estate will be dealt with and instead, your assets will be divided according to the law. Your family may not end up with all that you wish or their future may be complicated by assets going elsewhere. As long as you are able to give instructions and have capacity to make a Will you can. You decide who will be your executor, who will be the guardian of your young children, who you leave your personal items to and all of your other assets. Do I need a lawyer to write my Will? It is not essential for a lawyer to write your Will. However, the value that a lawyer brings to making a Will is the advice they provide in relation to taxation, care planning, conflict of interest and practicalities. They are also familiar with the terminology that is used to interpret Wills by the Courts so can add valuable insight into what could be the difference between a valid Will or an invalid Will. Where does my Will live? We hold on to all the Wills so that it is safely kept. All our newly written Wills are also added to the National Will Register. What should I never put in my Will? Always carefully word gifts in your will to avoid giving something away that you might not have at your death (E.g. a bank account that may close before you die). Your Will is a private document so anything that you write in it remains confidential. However, once a Grant of Probate has been issued it becomes a public document which means that anyone can apply to the Probate Registry for a copy. Therefore, it’s best not to include any sensitive reasons as to your thoughts; you don't want the world to see you airing your family disputes in public. It is best to leave out a clause in your will that goes into detail about why you have excluded a beneficiary from your estate. These are often sensitive issues. By all means, you can say that you have specifically excluded a beneficiary but if you feel the need to tell people why, do this in a separate letter to your executors which sits with your will. Have you listened to our podcast? Click here Have you read our Care Planning Blog? Click here Get in touch by email, phone, or live chat Details here

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Service Charges - Estate Administration/Probate There is a lot to do when an estate needs to be administered. Argo believes in transparency of costs so we will not charge you hourly rates because you need to know what a job will costs. There are three options of how we can charge for estate administration. ​ ​ Option One – full administ ration If you wish us to complete the full administration this will include:- • Identifying the assets within the estate and obtaining date of death values • Identifying the liabilities within the estate and obtaining date of death values • Calculating the total value of the estate for Inheritance Tax purposes • Completing the required IHT 205 or IHT400 tax return • Paying Inheritance Tax liabilities • Completing the statement of truth for Probate Registry • Obtaining the Grant of Representation in the estate • Collecting in assets of the estate • Settling liabilities of the estate • Distributing the estate as per any will or intestacy rules ​ Here is what you can expect Argo to charge for the full administration of an estate:- Value of Estate Percentage fees Cost Up to £500,000 1.5% £7,500 plus VAT Next £500,000 1% £5,000 plus VAT Next £500,000 0.5% £2,500 plus VAT ​ ​ The following are examples as to how calculations are made for the full administration of a simple estate ​ ​ For example an estate worth £376,250 which includes Property valued at £300,000 Cash in bank accounts of £50,000 Shares portfolio of £26,250 Our costs will total £5,643.75 plus VAT based on 1.5% of the gross value of the estate ​ ​ ​ For example an estate worth £872,395 which includes Property valued at £450,000 Cash in bank accounts of £200,000 Share portfolio of £222,395 Our costs will total £11,223.95 plus VAT based on 1.5% of the gross value of the first £500,000 of the estate and 1% of the gross value of the remaining £372,395 ​ ​ ​ For example an estate worth £1,347,274 which includes Property valued at £650,000 National Savings products of £75,000 Cash in bank of £200,000 Share portfolio of £422,274 Our costs will total £12,960.32 plus VAT based on 1.5% of the gross value of the first £500,000 of the estate, 1% of the next £500,000 of the estate and 0.5% of the remaining £347,274 ​ ​ However, at Argo we tailor our services to our client’s needs. Some clients do not require a full administration service. Please look at option two and three to see how you can tailor make administration services to your requirements. What’s not included in a simple estate? There are estates which require more complex services. Some of these relate to giving advice on business assets, agricultural property, trusts, lifetime gifts and foreign property. These estates will require additional work which may increase the estate administration charges. If you have an estate which has one of the above then we will agree a fixed fee with you to investigate the asset, identify the information required for inclusion in the estate administration process and deal with the distribution of that asset. Our invoices will be raised at three points during the administration process:- 1. When papers are prepared to submit application for Grant of Representation - 50% of fixed costs 2. When the Grant of representation is issued - 25% of costs 3. At the end of the administration process - 25% of costs Invoices for third party costs, known as disbursements, will be raised and when they arise. A minimum charge of £2,500 plus VAT will be made for simple estate administration. Option Two – application for grant of representation only If you do not wish us to apply for the Grant of Representation because you feel you can identify the assets and liabilities within the estate and deal with the distribution you can ask us just to prepare the paperwork needed to apply for the Grant. Our fixed costs for this are:- ​ IHT 205 and statement of truth £750 plus VAT IHT400 and statement of truth £1500 plus VAT Application to claim transferable Nil Rate Band £300 plus VAT Application to claim Main Residence Allowance £300 plus VAT Application to claim transferable Main Residence Allowance £300 plus VAT Option three – hourly rates If you really do not like the idea of percentage fees we can charge on an hourly rate. Hourly rates are set according to the experience of our team. These are as follows:- ​ ​ Kelly Duke Director and Probate Accredited Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives £300 plus VAT Other charges Disburs ements These are fees that are payable to third parties other than Argo for other services that may be provided. These could be:- Probate application fee £155 Additional copies of Probate £1.50 per copy Copy birth, marriage and death certificates price varies according to date Property Land Registry title check £3 Property and personal item valuation price varies according to valuer Unclaimed Asset Register search £25 to £150 plus VAT Debt advertisement (S27 Trustee Act Notices) £150 to £300 plus VAT Bankruptcy searches £3 Electronic identification searches £ 1 5 plus VAT (per name) Certainty will search variable Specialist unoccupied property insurance variable Postal redirection according to Post Office Indemnity for missing share certificates according to share registrars Land Registry transfer fees set by the Land Registry Photocopying charges £25 plus VAT Bank transfer charges according to bank ​ ​ What is not included in the above? There will be additional charges for the following which will be at a fixed rate agreed with you. The costs for the range of services are detailed below. Where a fixed fee has not been specified costs will be charge at hourly rates and we would anticipate that costs would fall between £300 pus VAT and £1,500 plus VAT, task dependent. • Registering the death £300 plus VAT • Arranging the funeral service £400 plus VAT • Locating the whereabouts of a missing will hourly rate • Locating documents to claim transferrable Inheritance Tax allowances see option 2 • Renunciation of executor £150 plus VAT • Locating missing or unknown beneficiaries hourly rates • Preparation of court statements hourly rates • Completion of family tree on intestacy hourly rates • Dealing with DWP benefit investigation hourly rates • Confirming certificated shareholdings and dealing with split of shares to beneficiaries hourly rates • Calculating and preparing split of assets to be assented to charitable beneficiaries £300 plus VAT • Sale of land or property (not completed by Argo) • Dealing with property outside England and Wales hourly rate • Dealing with incapacity issues for executors or beneficiaries hourly rate • Establishing trusts created by the terms of the will or intestacy trust charges • Closure of trusts created by the terms of the will or intestacy trust charges • Varying trusts created by the terms of the will or intestacy trust charges • Dealing with any challenges to the estate hourly rates • Dealing with income tax to death / during administration (no tax return) £150 plus VAT • Completion of estate tax return to date of death / during administration £500 plus VAT • Preparation of a tax deduction certificate £30 plus VAT • Resealing of grants in foreign jurisdictions hourly rates • Completion of assent for transfer of assets (not property) £150 plus VAT • Land Registry transfer for property ownership £300 plus VAT When Argo complete the full administration of an estate we will prepare a set of estate accounts for retention by the personal representatives. We make a fixed charge of £600 plus VAT for this service for a simple set of accounts. Complex accounts will be charged at a rate agreed with the executors. ​

< Back Court of Protection (Deputyships) From £2000 +vat (POA) Free 15 minute Consultation More Information Court of Protection (Deputyships) There are many different types of applications with the Court of Protection that you may need to make. Property and Affairs Deputyship or Health and Welfare Deputyship Previous Next

< Back Trust Administration From £500 +vat (*other charges may apply) Free 15 minute Consultation More Information Trust Administration There are many different issues which can arise during the administration of a trust so we wanted to let you know in advance what fees could arise. Previous Next