Wills, Trusts and Probate

Making a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are followed. A professionally written will ensures:

• Your assets go to the people or causes you care about
• Guardians are appointed for your children
• Disputes and delays are reduced
• Inheritance tax is managed efficiently

Our experienced solicitors will help you create a will that is clear, legally valid, and tailored to your personal circumstances. We’ll also ensure it stays up to date as your life and priorities change.

We can help with:

• Drafting and updating wills to reflect life changes
• Appointing trusted executors and guardians
• Structuring your estate to reduce inheritance tax

Without a will, the law decides who inherits your estate, which may not reflect your intentions. Whether you're making a will for the first time or reviewing an existing one, we provide trusted legal advice to give you peace of mind.

Start Your Will Online

Getting started is quick and easy. Complete our secure online form and a member of our team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.

Start your Will online.

Prefer to speak to someone? Call us on: 01273 249 200

Our team provides strategic advice to help reduce your inheritance tax liability and maximise the assets passed on to loved ones, using tried-and-tested approaches tailored to your financial situation.

We advise on:

• Using allowances and exemptions effectively
• Lifetime gifting strategies
• Protecting family wealth through trusts

Trusts offer long-term control over how your wealth is managed and distributed. We’ll guide you in choosing and setting up the right structure to meet your family’s needs and goals.

• Discretionary trusts to manage wealth flexibly
• Bare trusts for gifts to children
• Life interest trusts to support a partner while preserving capital
   
• Declarations of Trust (Deeds of Trust) – commonly used when people purchase a property together in unequal shares or where gifts are made between family members. We are experienced in drafting these documents and advising on the risks, tax implications and how best to protect your share.
   
• Personal Injury Trusts – these trusts are used to protect compensation awards. By placing a personal injury award in trust, individuals can preserve their entitlement to means-tested benefits. Trustees can also assist in managing the funds and associated paperwork, offering peace of mind for the future.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult. Our team provides practical, compassionate support to executors and families, helping manage the legal and administrative responsibilities from start to finish.

• Applying for the grant of probate
• Collecting and valuing assets
• Distributing the estate in line with the will or intestacy rules
• Handling inheritance tax forms and payments

Disagreements about a will or estate can be distressing and complex. Our solicitors provide sensitive, expert support in resolving disputes, whether through negotiation, mediation or litigation, always aiming to protect your rights and achieve a fair outcome.

• Challenging or defending the validity of a will
• Inheritance Act claims for reasonable provision
• Executor or trustee disputes
• Claims of undue influence or lack of capacity

An LPA gives you peace of mind that someone you trust can step in if you’re unable to make decisions yourself. We make the process straightforward, guiding you through each step of appointing attorneys.

• Property & Financial Affairs LPA – for bills, property and finances
• Health & Welfare LPA – for care and medical decisions

• Help with applying to become a court-appointed deputy
• Support with managing finances and healthcare decisions
• Acting as a professional deputy where appropriate

If someone has lost capacity and doesn’t have an LPA, we help families navigate the Court of Protection process and provide long-term support in managing their affairs sensitively and responsibly. You can see more information on our Court Of Protection Services Pages.

• Protecting the family home from unnecessary risk
• Making tax-efficient lifetime gifts
• Planning for potential nursing home fees
• Personal income tax issues
• Setting up trusts for long-term security
• Managing finances and property for vulnerable individuals

Supporting elderly and vulnerable clients goes beyond wills and LPAs. We offer holistic advice to protect assets, manage day-to-day financial matters, and reduce stress for families navigating complex legal and care situations. You can also see further information on our Court of Protection Services Page 

A solicitor ensures your will is legally valid, clearly written and properly executed. This reduces the risk of disputes or errors.

Your estate will be divided under UK intestacy laws. This may leave out loved ones or cause avoidable complications.

Yes. A well-structured will and estate plan can help you pass on more of your assets by minimising unnecessary tax.

A will sets out how your assets are distributed when you die. A trust can be used during your lifetime or after death to manage money or property under specific terms.

Probate is the legal process of dealing with someone’s estate after they die. It’s usually needed when the deceased owned property or had assets in their sole name.