At Gorman Legal, we take pride in helping clients from Exeter, Cullompton, Tiverton, and surrounding areas manage the complexities of wills, probate, and estate planning. Each of the stories below highlights how our tailored advice has brought peace of mind, protected assets, and ensured the future security of loved ones. Discover how our expertise can support your unique needs.

Note: Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality, and all clients have given their consent for these stories to be shared here.

1. Planning for the Future: A Couple Securing Their Family’s Inheritance

John and Margaret, both in their late 70s, came to us seeking straightforward wills to divide their estate equally among their three children. Their main concern was to avoid burdening their children with probate complications. We discussed their wishes in detail and also introduced the concept of Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to ensure their healthcare and financial decisions were protected. By the end of our consultation, they had clear picture of the concise Wills they needed to put in place and LPAs to safeguard their future. John and Margaret were relieved, remarking that the process was much simpler than they had anticipated. After approval of the draft documentation produced by us following our meeting, they were able to sign the final versions promptly after that.

2. Young Family: Protecting Their Growing Family

Emma and David, a young couple with a toddler, wanted to make sure their son would be cared for if anything happened to them. They hadn’t considered estate planning before their child was born, but the new responsibilities weighed heavily on their minds. We walked them through their options and helped them draft Wills that appointed a guardian for their son and set up a trust for his education and future needs. By the end of our session, they felt a deep sense of relief, knowing their child’s future was secure.

3. Single Parent: Securing Her Children’s Future

Lisa, a single mother of two, approached us feeling anxious about how to protect her children in the event of her passing. Her primary concerns were naming a trusted guardian and ensuring her limited savings could provide for her children. We helped Lisa draft a Will that clearly outlined her wishes, appointing a close family friend as guardian and establishing a trust for her children’s future needs. After our work was done, Lisa felt reassured, knowing her children’s futures were safeguarded, no matter what.

4. Blended Families: Balancing Complex Needs for a Fair Outcome

James and Rachel, both remarried with children from previous marriages, faced the challenge of fairly distributing their estate. They wanted to ensure the surviving spouse could continue living in the family home, while also guaranteeing their respective children would eventually inherit. We recommended a will trust stucture, allowing the surviving spouse to stay in the home for life, with each partner’s share passing to their children after the second death. This solution brought James and Rachel great relief, as they had found a way to protect their relationship and their children’s futures.

5. Protecting Loved Ones: Planning for the Unexpected

Helen, a self-employed professional, came to us after learning about Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) from a friend. Concerned about who would handle her healthcare and financial decisions if she became incapacitated, Helen wanted to ensure her affairs would be managed by someone she trusted. We helped her set up both health and financial LPAs, appointing her sister and niece as attorneys. Helen left feeling comforted, knowing her future was protected, and her wishes would be respected.

6. Securing the Future: A Business Owner Protecting His Legacy

David, a successful business owner, wanted to ensure his company would continue operating smoothly if he were to pass away or become incapacitated. We drafted a Will outlining a clear succession plan, appointing his eldest son to take over the business. Additionally, we set up a Business Lasting Power of Attorney to enable trusted colleagues to manage the company in case David was no longer able to and separate Lasting Power of Attorney for his personal assets and his healthcare. With this planning in place, David felt confident that his business and family’s livelihood would be secure no matter what the future held.

7. Inheritance Tax Planning: Protecting the Family’s Wealth for Future Generations

Tom and Anne, a couple in their late 50s with substantial assets, approached us with concerns about inheritance tax (IHT) eating into their estate. We reviewed their assets, including property investments and a business, and recommended IHT-efficient wills. To further protect their wealth, we established trusts, ensuring that their estate would be passed down to future generations with minimal tax impact. Tom and Anne were pleased to know their hard-earned wealth would remain intact, securing their children’s future.

8. Care Fee Planning: Protecting the Family Home

Bill and Susan, both in their late 60s, were concerned that care fees might deplete their savings and leave little for their children to inherit. They wanted to protect their primary asset, their family home, from being used to cover future care costs. We guided them in creating Property Protection Wills, which placed their share of the home in a trust for their children. Bill and Susan left feeling reassured, knowing their family home would be protected, so far as possible, and their children’s inheritance was secure.

9. Avoiding Family Disputes: A Will Likely to Be Contested

John, a successful business owner with children from two marriages, feared his will might be contested after his passing, leading to potential disputes between his wife and children. We recommended created a Will Trust tailored to his wishes, allowing his wife to remain in the family home while ensuring his children would eventually inherit. The trust also protected other substantial assets. We also added a letter of wishes to clarify his reasoning, reducing the risk of family disputes, and providing detailed guidance for his trustees. John felt confident that his estate would be distributed smoothly and fairly according to his wishes.

10. Complex Probate and Inheritance Tax: Managing a Large Estate

When Martin’s father passed away, he became the executor of a large and complex estate, which included multiple properties, business assets, and investments. Faced with significant inheritance tax liabilities, Martin was unsure where to start. We worked closely with him to assess the estate’s value, navigate the probate process, and manage tax liabilities. By taking advantage of available reliefs and exemptions, we reduced the estate’s tax burden significantly, saving Martin time and money during a challenging period.

11. Simple Probate: Easing the Burden for a Grieving Family

Paul was overwhelmed after the sudden death of his mother. As the executor of her estate, he faced the daunting task of handling probate and distributing her assets. Fortunately, his mother’s Will was drafted by a STEP-qualified Will Writing professional, and we were able to guide Paul through the process efficiently. We obtained the grant of probate and ensured the estate was divided according to her wishes, allowing Paul to focus on his family during a difficult time.

12. Wealth Preservation: A Widow’s Estate Planning

Sarah, recently widowed, came to us feeling overwhelmed by the task of managing her significant financial and property assets. Her main concern was reducing the inheritance tax burden on her children while protecting her estate for future generations. We helped Sarah structure her will to include trusts for her grandchildren, ensuring that her estate grew tax-efficiently. We also collaborated with a financial planner to reorganise her holdings to further minimise tax liability. Sarah left with peace of mind, knowing her legacy was protected and would benefit both her children and grandchildren.