The bungalows of Elm Park, Cranham and Harold Wood were built for young families in the 1930s and 1950s and are now, often, occupied by the same families' surviving parents. Havering has the highest proportion of residents over 65 of any London borough, and will solicitors in Romford, Hornchurch and Upminster spend their days on the consequences: wills that leave a house to three children in different circumstances, lasting powers of attorney made before dementia makes them impossible, care-fee planning that stays on the right side of the deprivation rules, and equity release plans that need independent legal advice before the lender will complete.
Many of these clients moved out from the East End a generation ago, bought a council house under the right to buy or a semi from a builder, and now own a property worth far more than they ever earned. Estates that would once have been simple now brush against inheritance tax, and the family often includes second marriages, stepchildren and a child who moved to Essex or abroad. A will that is clear about who gets what, and a solicitor who explains why unmarried partners and stepchildren inherit nothing under the intestacy rules, prevents the disputes that otherwise follow.
Probate in Havering is largely about houses: obtaining the grant, clearing and selling the bungalow, settling tax with HMRC and distributing the proceeds, with the executor personally liable if it goes wrong. Contested wills, often where one sibling cared for the parent and the others suspect undue influence, end up in court if mediation fails.
Wills and powers of attorney are fixed-fee almost everywhere; probate is charged fixed, hourly or as a percentage, so ask.
Wills and probate firms serving Havering are listed below, verified firms first. Read wills, trusts and probate explained, how much a will costs, what probate costs and what a lasting power of attorney is, and the general will solicitors guide.
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