Expert Legal Support for Pudsey Legal Clients – Trusted Assistance from Jordans Solicitors

Jordans Solicitors are saddened to hear about the closure of local firm, Pudsey Legal Services Ltd. As a firm serving the Leeds area and its surrounding communities, Jordans Solicitors are here to assist both current and former clients of Pudsey Legal during this transitional period.

At Jordans, we offer a wide range of legal services, including, but not limited to, Will Writing, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Estate Administration, Conveyancing (both residential and new builds), Accident and Personal Injury claims, Medical Negligence claims, Child Care Proceedings, Abuse claims, and Family Law.

We understand that transitioning from a closed/closing firm can be unsettling, so Jordans Solicitors are committed to providing a smooth process, offering free initial consultations with no obligation. Our goal is to discuss your needs, provide clarity, and help you explore your options, finding the best and most suitable outcome for you. 

What Happens to My Will Now That My Holding Firm Has Closed?

The closure of a law firm can understandably cause worry for clients and result in clients having many questions in relation to their ongoing and personal affairs.

Clients of the closing/closed firm have a few options to consider with regard to how they handle Wills going forward:

Transfer your Will to Another Firm

You can choose a new firm to take over the storage of your Will, this firm can also potentially manage the future Administration of your Estate. The process of transferring your Will over to your new firm may take some time, so we recommend starting this as soon as possible.

Return the Original Will to the Client 

If you do not stipulate who you would like your Will to be transferred to, the closing/closed firm may send your Will back to you. However, there are associated risks with this, particularly if contact details are no longer in date. 

If you believe your holding firm does not have up to date details for you, you will need to contact them to update these details to ensure that they can contact you should they ever need to. 

Transfer your Will to Regulatory Bodies

In some cases, your closing/closed firm may transfer your Will to Regulatory Bodies such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Law Society. 

How can Jordans Help Me?

If your holding firm is in the process of closing, we can offer assistance so that you do not have to worry.

Here at Jordans, we are offering free Will reviews and free Will storage. This ensures that we are able to provide you with continued, client-focused legal advice on important personal matters like your Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

If you would like to transfer your Will to be stored with Jordans, please get in touch with us. 

If you would like us to review your existing Will to determine whether it still meets your current needs, please reach out and we can assist with either drafting you a new Will or the drafting of a Codicil to make any necessary amendments to your existing Will. 

If you are in the middle of dealing with an Estate of a deceased person and your instructed firm is no longer trading, we can take over the management of your file and continue to assist with the Administration of the Estate on your behalf.

If you would like Jordans to take over the management of your affairs, please get in touch. 

Frequently Asked Questions for Wills and Probate Clients

Can I keep my Will at home? 

Yes. While there is nothing preventing you from storing your Will at home, we do not recommend that you do so. It is generally safer to store your Will elsewhere, away from your home. 

Risks like fires, flood and theft can result in the loss or damage of your Will. Often, people store their Wills somewhere in their home and forget about them, resulting in their Will being out of date and them passing away with a Will in place which does not meet their wishes. Where you hold your Will with Jordans, we will write to you every two to three years to remind you to review your Will and also to ensure that your contact details are all up to date. 

Where a will becomes damaged, it may be contested (i.e. someone argues that the Will should not be valid). Where a Will is lost, this can significantly delay a Grant of Probate being issued, or even cause the Estate to be declared intestate - please click here to view our recent blog on the Intestacy Rules which highlight the Consequences of Dying Without a Will. 

If you would like Jordans to store your Will, we can do this free of charge for your peace of mind.

How long does a solicitor or law firm keep a Will? 

Here at Jordans, we will never destroy or remove your Will from our strong room. We will hold your Will securely until you or your executor(s) request it.

How can I access the Will of a deceased relative if the firm has closed? 

Only the executor(s) of the Deceased’s Will can access a deceased person’s Will. If the firm holding the Will has closed, Jordans can assist in retrieving the Will for you and guide you through the process of applying for the Grant of Probate where necessary and assisting with the Administration of the Estate. 

Is there a cost to transfer my Will to Jordans Solicitors? 

No, we do not charge a fee for transferring your Will over to us, nor do we charge a fee for storing your Will in our strong room. 

How often should my Will be reviewed? 

We recommend reviewing your Will at least every five years. 

Additionally, you should always review your Will if your personal circumstances change, such as marriage, divorce, or cohabitation. You should also review your Will in the event that your financial situation changes significantly, such as receiving an inheritance or needing to pay for care home fees. 

Lastly, you should review your Will if there are any amendments to current tax laws, especially following a Government Budget. For more information on the recent Government Budget and how this may affect you and your Estate planning, please click here.

Can Jordans Solicitors Handle My Case?

Jordans Solicitors are offering a free initial consultation to all clients affected by the closure of Pudsey Legal.

We will provide assistance with any ongoing cases, advising you on how to proceed with existing matters.