Practice Area
Wills, Trusts & Probate
Wills, trusts and the administration of estates, handled with care for the family.
Overview
Wills, trusts and probate in Abuja.
Planning how your property will pass on your death gives your family certainty at a difficult time. A properly prepared will, and where appropriate a trust, can reduce disputes, delay and cost. From our office in Maitama, Abuja, we help families plan ahead and, after a death, deal with the estate.
We prepare wills and trust instruments, advise executors and administrators, and obtain grants of probate and letters of administration from the Probate Registry of the High Court. In Nigeria, the law that governs succession can depend on the type of marriage, the location of the property and whether customary or Islamic law applies, and we take account of these factors in our advice.
How we help
What we do for you.
- 01Drafting and reviewing wills and codicils
- 02Private trusts and family succession planning
- 03Registration of incorporated trustees for foundations and charities under CAMA 2020
- 04Applications for probate and letters of administration
- 05Advising executors, administrators and beneficiaries
- 06Estate disputes, including challenges to wills
Need help with wills, trusts and probate?
Who we act for
Our clients.
- Individuals and families
- Business owners planning succession
- Executors and administrators
- Beneficiaries
- Foundations and charitable organisations
Not sure whether we can help? Send us a short outline.
What happens if someone dies without a will?
The estate is distributed according to the law that applies to the deceased, which may be statute, customary law or Islamic law. Someone must apply for letters of administration before the estate can be dealt with. This process is often slower and more contentious than administering an estate under a will.
What makes a will valid?
A will must generally be in writing, signed by the person making it, and witnessed as the applicable law requires, and that person must have the mental capacity to make it. The precise requirements vary, so professional preparation reduces the risk of a will being challenged.
What is the difference between probate and letters of administration?
Probate is granted to the executors named in a will. Letters of administration are granted where there is no will, or no executor able to act. Both give the authority needed to collect and distribute the estate.
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Book a consultation about wills, trusts and probate, or reach us directly by phone or WhatsApp.