Making a will

It is never too soon to make your will.  Leaving no will or a badly prepared will can cause untold difficulties and heartache for those you leave behind. If you die without a will, the rules of intestacy could mean that your estate would not be passed as you wish. Co-habiting couples and those with stepchildren are particularly at risk of problems, and it is absolutely crucial to have valid wills in place.

By making a will you can ensure that your loved ones are properly looked after. Having a tax-efficient will can also help to reduce any inheritance tax on your death. We will always look to advise you on the tax implications of how you plan to leave your estate and suggest where appropriate how tax can legitimately be reduced.

Making a will is a very personal process and we will take care to listen to you and understand your family and personal circumstances in depth before preparing your will. Everyone is different so it is also a good opportunity to review your affairs generally.

Sometimes we can prompt you to look at what you are planning to happen to your assets when you die in a new light. This can be particularly true if there are difficult family circumstances or where the will is for a farmer or business owner where succession planning is an issue. Second marriages raise particular issues since there are often two families to provide for and protect.

A properly drawn will can cover:

• appointing guardians for any children under 18;
• choosing executors to deal with the winding up of your estate;
• specifying legacies (money or belongings) which you want particular friends or family to receive;
• appropriate trusts to help preserve wealth for future generations, protect against residential care costs or protect vulnerable or disabled beneficiaries; and
• your wishes for your funeral and organ donation.

We recommend that your will is stored on site in our secure storage facility at no extra cost to you.

Our private client team includes members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) reflecting our expertise in this area.

Visits to a home or nursing home

For elderly or disabled clients, we can arrange to visit you at home or in a care home.

For information on legal costs

Please call our private client team to obtain a bespoke quotation.