Wills, Trusts and Probate Solicitors
The Wills, Trusts and Probate Team at Harold Stock & Co Solicitors will help you plan for the future, providing clear advice and helping you to safeguard your financial security now and in the future.
How can Harold Stock & Co help me?
Our Wills, Trusts and Probate team are experts in all areas of wills, trusts and estate planning. We understand that when it comes to the planning of your future, one size does not fit all and we will tailor our advice to your individual needs.
We can assist in the following areas:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Probate – Grant Only Option
- Probate and Estate Administration – full service option
- Disputed estates
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Court of Protection
- Nursing Home Fees
- Inheritance Tax
- Foreign Property
- Domicile
- Personal Injury Trusts
Solicitors for the Elderly
Claire Atkinson and Francesca Rigby are Full Accredited Members of Solicitors for the Elderly.
SFE is a national association of independent lawyers who specialise in older client law. As specialists, SFE members are also trained in older client care so that they are able to take into account any difficulties both mental and physical which can affect older and vulnerable clients and are aware of the health and social problems that people may face.
SFE members will provide independent advice, which is in the best interests of older or vulnerable clients, respecting their dignity and understand their need for a holistic approach to problem solving.
All advice given is confidential. They will endeavour to follow a plain English policy ie they will always communicate in easy, understandable language and will explain any necessary legal terminology. Their wealth of experience and training will help to put people at their ease when dealing with complex, life changing issues.
All SFE Full Accredited Members:
- Are specialists in advising older and vulnerable clients on legal matters.
- Are fully qualified solicitors, barristers and chartered legal executives who have all undertaken additional specialist training in older client law.
- Have spent a substantial amount of their time working with older and vulnerable clients.
- Have gained the Older Client Care in Practice Award which is accredited by SJF (Skills for Justice) a government body which shows that they have the required additional skills to be able to advise and support older and vulnerable people.
- Follow a strict code of practice.
- Are committed to providing affordable, good quality legal advice.
- Are regulated by their professional bodies such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
- Keep their knowledge and skills up to date by undertaking regular training
Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners – STEP
Francesca Rigby is a full member of STEP. STEP is a global professional association for practitioners who specialise in Private Client matters. As a full STEP member, Francesca is recognised as an expert in the field of Wills & Probate with proven qualifications and experience.
Should you wish to discuss any of the issues above with an experienced Solicitor, please fill out our feedback form on the right or contact one of the team below.
Client Testimonials
Trusts – Dukinfield
The service is excellent.
April 17, 2019
Will Writing – St Ann’s Will Week – Stockport
Extremely professional in everything they did for me.
April 16, 2019
Will Writing – Free Wills Month – Stockport
I was very satisfied with service I received. It was friendly – quick and comprehensive. I would not hesitate to recommend Francesca and Harold Stock & Co to family and friends. Thank you for your More
April 16, 2019
Will Writing – Free Wills Month – Stockport
The service was prompt and courteous. Francesca was very pleasant and helpful in helping us understand and think through our options.
April 15, 2019
Will Writing – Free Wills Month – Stockport
Excellent, professional and friendly service
April 15, 2019
Will Writing – Free Wills Month – Stockport
A very efficient and helpful experience
April 15, 2019
Will Writing – St. Ann’s Will Week – Stockport
It was easy to get through and arrange convenient appointment. Reception was efficient and professional. Francesca was knowledgeable, friendly and professional.
April 11, 2019
Wills – Mossley
Professional, courteous and friendly. Always approachable and helpful. Have already recommended to friends and family.
March 28, 2019
Wills & Probate – Oldham
I would like to thank you all for the service you gave me at this sad time also treated me and my family with respect.
March 4, 2019
Will and LPA Preparation
Friendly, caring and personable but also professional and trustworthy.
January 29, 2019
Lasting Power of Attorney
A very professional and efficient service from Claire Atkinson. Kept informed of all that was going on.
Mr and Mrs Orme January 9, 2019
Will Amendments
Initial contact was to update our wills which was fully dealt with to our full satisfaction through Kelly and Claire. Many thanks for your advice and explanation.
Anthony & Avril Jeffries November 29, 2018
Will Amendment
Very friendly and efficient but I wouldn’t expect anything less from Harold Stock & Co. Always first class service. Will Amendment dealt with by Kelly Jackson.
Judith Fish November 28, 2018
October Free Wills Month – Stockport
Very helpful, friendly and put me at ease. Would recommend to friends and colleagues.
November 15, 2018
Will & Lasting Powers of Attorney – Mossley
We found Claire Atkinson very easy to talk to and to discuss what we needed to sort out our affairs. The overall experience was very pleasant and was sorted very quickly. We also got a More
November 14, 2018
October Free Wills Month – Stockport
Very professional, efficient and friendly. Also gave me advice re: other matter as well as wills.
November 13, 2018
October Free Wills Month – Will Writing – Stockport
Very happy with all the information that was given by Francesca Rigby. Extremely professional and informative. Could not have asked for a better service and advice.
Arthur & Cheryl Greer November 13, 2018
Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney – Ashton under Lyne
I thought the service was very good and very helpful in every way.
D J Woodward November 13, 2018
Amendment to Will – Mossley
Kelly and Claire was very friendly and approachable. We felt very at east being able to ask questions and the answers we received made us feel secure.
Lydia Stent and Stuart Harper November 9, 2018
October Free Wills Month – Stockport
Francesca was very helpful and a very pleasant person to speak to. I would recommend her to anyone, in fact, I did to my sister.
Catherine Steel November 6, 2018
October Free Wills Month – Stockport
The matter of changing my will was handled efficiently and speedily by Francesca. She gave me useful info re: pension death beneficiary nomination which I had not previously considered. A first class service.
November 1, 2018
Will Writing – Stockport office
Good, efficient service.
October 29, 2018
October Free Wills Month – Stockport
They were basic wills done during free wills month, and we were pleased to be able to use this service. As some of the information needed in order to make certain decisions was new to More
October 29, 2018
Will Preparation
Francesca explained our options and made making our wills painless. We would highly recommend your services.
Thomas & Janet Potts October 25, 2018
October Free Wills Month – Stockport
Francesca explained our options and made making our wills painless. We would highly recommend your services.
October 25, 2018
Will Writing – Stockport
Very friendly, helpful and easy to talk to.
Catherine Bracewell October 25, 2018
Will Writing + more!
I was absolutely delighted with Francesca Rigby’s very professional, kind and patient help in preparing my will, and with all the advice she gave me for that as well as providing extensive advice on my More
Victoria King October 23, 2018
Will Amendment – Mossley
A very professional service and excellent advice.
Michael Orme October 15, 2018
Will Writing – Mossley
Explained everything very clearly and concisely. Claire had a very friendly and welcoming manner.
Neiland Shirley Tuersley October 9, 2018
Probate and Estate Administration – Mossley
Good communications when applicable, efficient service, friendly.
Richard Kenworthy October 5, 2018
Will Writing – Failsworth
Ivana came to the house because I am disabled. She was extremely efficient and courteous, as was her aide. A credit to your company.
Mrs J September 24, 2018
Will Writing – Failsworth
Thank you for a courteous and friendly service extended to us both.
Mr & Mrs H September 21, 2018
Lasting Power of Attorney – Mossley
Vic and I find it hard to get about, so we really appreciated the home visits from Claire and her team.
Victor and Maureen Williams September 19, 2018
Will Writing – Dukinfield
Very pleased with th service provided – very thorough – well explained. Everyone friendly, helpful and patient. Thank you.
Mr & Mrs G September 14, 2018
Amendments to Will – Failsworth
Very personal and understanding approach. Very empathetic.
Mr G September 6, 2018
Lasting Power of Attorney – Failsworth
Ivana was very polite and patient ensuring I understood all forms.
Mrs B September 5, 2018
Will Writing – Chadderton
Our thanks to Kelly for explaining the various choices available relating to both our wills, helping us to select the right one.
Roy & Pamela Peel August 23, 2018
Will Writing – Failsworth
Excellent service by Ivana Bailey
Mr & Mrs Schofield August 23, 2018
Probate – Mossley
Claire (and the whole team) were so professional but also sympathetic and very supportive during the worst time of my life. She is amazing and I would recommend her to anyone.
Helen Lynch August 14, 2018
Lasting Power of Attorney – Mossley
We were very happy with our service. Thank you.
Brian Taft August 13, 2018
Will Writing – Stalybridge
I was very pleased with the efficient and pleasant manner Claire Atkinson advised me and dealt with my will.
August 10, 2018
Will Writing – Failsworth
Ivana Bailey was very helpful and friendly. She explained things clearly. Nothing was too much trouble, all reception staff were helpful and polite on the phone or entering the building. I was very satisfied with More
August 10, 2018
Lasting Powers of Attorney – Mossley
Professional, friendly and helpful
Stephen & Anne Swallow August 7, 2018
Will Writing – Failsworth
Very friendly people. We weren’t kept waiting.
August 1, 2018
Will Writing – Mossley
Kelly was very helpful and soon put me at ease.
August 1, 2018
Lasting Power of Attorney – Royton, Oldham
Personal Injury Trusts
Harold Stock & Co Solicitors have a specialist team dealing with personal injury trusts.
What is a personal injury trust?
If you are in receipt of means-tested benefits (housing benefit, tax credits, pension credits, etc) the value of any compensation that you receive as a consequence of a personal injury claim will be taken into account when calculating your benefits. By setting up a personal injury trust, the compensation will essentially be ignored in any benefits calculation meaning that you will not be disadvantaged by having received a compensation payment.
There are benefits in setting up a personal injury trust to those not currently in receipt of means-tested benefits as a way of preventing any future claim for benefits being affected by your compensation.
Compensation received following a personal injury claim can also be taken into consideration when looking at the cost of future or current care. A personal injury trust will prevent this.
At present, you and your partner can have £6,000 between you in bank accounts before any means-tested benefit is affected. If you have over £16,000 between you, your entitlement to means-tested benefits will be removed altogether. By setting up a person injury trust, your compensation payment is separated from your day to day accounts and not taken into consideration in any benefits calculation.
When setting up the personal injury trust, you will appoint trustees to manage the account. These are usually you and your spouse or a close family member or friend but can also be a Solicitor. The trustees hold the money on trust for the beneficiary (i.e. the person receiving the compensation). If funds are to be withdrawn from the trust, all trustees must agree.
In order to benefit from a personal injury trust, the trust must be set up within 52 weeks of you receiving the compensation payment but ideally as soon as possible.
Our specialist team can advise on whether a personal injury trust is right for you, assist you with the appointment of trustees , prepare the trust documentation and provide advice on how to run the trust.
For further information on personal injury trusts, please contact Claire Atkinson on 01457 835597 or ca@haroldstock.com
Client Testimonials
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Meet our Wills, Trusts and Probate Team
Mr J LeBrun July 23, 2018
Mr and Mrs Evans – Wills & Probate – Mossley
Over the last couple of years we have used your services. Dealing with Claire Atkinson each time. These issues have been sensitive and emotional. Claire has been an absolute tower of strength and exceptional knowledge. More
Julie & Chris Evans July 18, 2018
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Our only concern was the length of time it took and the number of times the papers were requested to be signed by the Office of the Public Guardian. We know this was out of More
Mrs R Tonepohl July 16, 2018
Preparation of Wills
Claire Atkinson was very professional, yet friendly. Putting us totally at ease.
Teresa & Steven Ainsworth July 2, 2018
Will Writing – Mossley
Could not fault Kelly!!! Really, really helpful. Pleasant and obliging – Excellent!!
Mrs T June 14, 2018
Will Writing – Failsworth
Really appreciate fitting in 2 appointments in the same week.
Mr & Mrs C June 8, 2018
Will Writing – Bramhall
Kelly Jackson was very responsive to my emails proving clear and precise responses.
Darren & Elizabeth Shaw June 6, 2018
Lasting Power of Attorney – Mossley
We were satisfied with the way Harold Stock (Claire Atkinson and Kelly Jackson). We thank you.
Mr & Mrs Harrison June 4, 2018
Will Writing – Mossley
The situation regards my will was explained very clearly. The additional queries regards my partners will was also explained clearly.
Mr M May 22, 2018
Probate – Dobcross, Oldham
Claire and her team have been incredibly helpful re all business transacted. She is approachable and personable and was tuned in to my (and Catherine’s) circumstances. Nothing was too much trouble and she even arranged More
Barbara Hearne May 22, 2018
Will & Lasting Power of Attorney – Ashton under Lyne
Claire Atkinson was very professional and very friendly. I will be very confident to come back again should I need legal advice in the future.
Mr Lumley May 15, 2018
Claire Atkinson – A credit to your company
Over the last couple of years we have used your services. Dealing with Claire Atkinson each time. These issues have been sensitive and emotional. Claire has been an absolute tower of strength and exceptional knowledge. More
Mrs & Mrs Evans May 4, 2018
Will Writing – Stalybridge
I thought the service I received was friendly, helpful and professional. On receipt of a copy of the will, I needed to make an amendment. This proved to be a simple matter and was dealt More
Mr R April 26, 2018
Will Writing – Failsworth
Been using Harold Stock & Co since 1999 for any legal reasons. I find them helpful and trustworthy. Helpful with any paperwork or forms to fill in. Nice people.
Mrs K Pickering April 19, 2018
Will Writing – Disley
Just to say thank you again Paul and Kelly for all your hard work which is much appreciated.
Marnie Dean April 19, 2018
Telephone: 0330 400 4040