Will Writing

A will is a legal document that outlines how your assets should be distributed after your death. It ensures that your wishes are followed, protects your loved ones, and helps avoid disputes. Without a will, the law decides how your estate is handled, which may not align with your wishes.

Dying without a will (intestate) means your estate will be distributed according to strict intestacy laws. This could lead to family disputes, unintended beneficiaries, or, in extreme cases, your assets passing to the government if no close relatives can be found.

Writing a Will involves outlining your assets, appointing executors, and specifying how your estate will be distributed. I offer professional Will Writing Services to ensure your Will is legally sound and reflects your wishes clearly.

Not necessarily. It depends on how you own any joint property, the value of your estate and whether you have any children.

For those reasons, it’s always best to seek legal advice about making a Will.

While it’s possible to write your own will, using a solicitor or Trust & Estate Practitioner (TEP) ensures that your will is legally valid, reduces the risk of errors, and helps prevent future disputes. I provide expert guidance to make sure your will offers complete peace of mind.

I offer fixed-fee Will Writing Services with transparent pricing, so you always know what to expect. Contact me for a free enquiry to get a personalised quote.

Your Will should include appointed executors, beneficiaries, and any specific gifts or conditions. You can also name guardians for minor children and specify funeral wishes. I’ll help you ensure every aspect of your Will is carefully planned and legally sound.

You can update your Will by making amendments (known as codicils) or creating a new Will. It’s important to review your Will regularly, especially after life events like marriage, divorce, or the birth of children. I can help you update your Will to reflect any changes in your circumstances.

An executor is responsible for administering your estate after your death. You can appoint family members, friends, or professionals like solicitors or Trust & Estate Practitioners to act as executors. It’s essential to choose someone trustworthy and capable of managing the process.

The executors named in your Will apply for Probate, which allows them to manage and distribute your estate according to your wishes. I provide Probate support to ensure the process runs smoothly and your wishes are carried out effectively.

How you own your home with your spouse or partner is very important as it will affect what happens to your interest in the property when you die.

When a couple owns property in joint names, they’ll either own it as joint tenants or tenants in common. Whether you should own your home as tenants in common will depend on your individual circumstances.

If a couple owns their home as joint tenants, on the first death, the property automatically passes by survivorship to the survivor of them independently of any Will.

If a couple owns their home as tenants in common, each of them is treated as a separate owner who is entitled to their own share of the property. Usually, a couple will own the property in equal shares unless there is a signed agreement or declaration of trust to say otherwise.

Owning property as tenants in common is often better because it can enable a couple to use a Will Trust that allows the survivor to keep living in the house when you’re gone while ring-fencing assets against care fees, protecting assets in case of the survivor’s remarriage and offering greater tax-efficiency.

As Wills and Probate Specialists, we can advise on the type of joint ownership that’s right for you.

Wills do not expire, but they should be updated to reflect significant life changes. I recommend reviewing your will every few years to ensure it aligns with your current wishes and circumstances.

Yes, you can leave specific gifts, such as personal items, money, or property, to individuals or charities in your will. I can help you outline these specific bequests clearly to ensure they are honoured.

If you want to exclude someone from your will, it’s important to do so carefully. I’ll guide you through the process of disinheritance, ensuring it’s handled legally to reduce the chances of a successful challenge.

While it’s possible to create a Will online, the Will document cannot be signed electronically – it must be a paper document signed by hand in accordance with strict legal requirements regarding how it is witnessed. I strongly recommend using a qualified professional to ensure your Will is legally valid and tailored to your unique circumstances. I offer a personalised service that ensures your Will reflects your precise wishes.

A will deals with the distribution of your assets after your death, while a Living Will (or advance decision) outlines your preferences for medical treatment if you become unable to make decisions. I can help with both if you wish to plan for your healthcare as well as your estate.

For a straightforward Will, I can usually prepare a draft within a week of us meeting. More complex Wills or those involving trusts may take slightly longer, but I’ll keep you updated throughout the process.

Yes, a Will can be contested if someone believes they have not been adequately provided for or if they question the validity of the Will. I take care to ensure your Will is clear and legally sound to reduce the likelihood of disputes.