Wills & Estate Planning

A Will is a legal document that allows you to determine what should happen to all of your assets on your death.

This collectively is known as your ‘Estate’. A Will can also be used to specify other wishes, such as, who will receive your money, property, and possessions, appoints Executors to carry out your wishes, as well as including the appointment of guardians for your children, specify any gifts or legacies, and plan how the remainder of your estate will be distributed, contributions to charitable causes and basic funeral arrangements. It is also wise to consider inheritance tax implications, the potential use of trusts, and alternate beneficiaries in case primary beneficiaries are unable to inherit.
If a person dies without a Will, their estate is distributed according to statutory rules, not personal choice.

Benefits of Writing a Will

Control over your estate - A will allows you to decide precisely how your assets are distributed, rather than relying on intestacy rules.
Choice of beneficiaries - You can specify who inherits your money, property, and personal possessions.
Appointment of executors - You choose trusted individuals to administer your estate and carry out your wishes.
Guardianship for children - A will enables you to appoint guardians for minor children, providing clarity and protection.
Reduced risk of disputes - Clear instructions help minimise misunderstandings and family disagreements.
Faster and simpler administration - A properly drafted will can make estate administration more efficient.
Tax planning opportunities - A will can incorporate inheritance tax planning and make use of available allowances.
Peace of mind - Knowing your affairs are in order provides reassurance for you and your family.
Ability to update as circumstances change - A will can be reviewed and amended to reflect changes in assets, family, or wishes.

Writing a will ensures your intentions are respected and provides clarity and security for those you leave behind.

Most of our services are provided on a fixed-fee basis to keep prices as simple as possible. For non-fixed-fee work, we charge based on the time spent on your matter in accordance with our hourly rates applicable at the time. Depending on the service you select, your case will be managed by our solicitors, case managers, and paralegals and supported by our administrators. Each case is allocated to the most appropriate team member, all of whom have many years of experience. From the outset, it will be made clear who your primary contact will be.

All appointments can be sat via telephone or virtually to suit you. We offer services in multiple languages, including Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu. If you have hearing loss or a speech impediment, we are happy to take instructions via Relay UK. We welcome all customers and will do our best to accommodate any additional needs you may have.

Stated time frames are based on our receiving full, clear and substantiated instructions. Delays may occur if we need to clarify or review the information we have been given.

Our Services and Fees

Online Per Person

Simple Will (not including Trusts, Agricultural Land and Business Property) £90 (£75 + £15 VAT)

All online services can be completed at your own pace. We recommend allowing at least 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete the online documents. Once the online form has been filled out, you can print your Will and sign it. Please see the signing instructions below. Once complete, we recommend that you safely store it and inform the relevant parties of its existence.

Advance Decision (Living Will) £30 (£25 + £5 VAT)

All online services can be completed at your own pace. We recommend allowing at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete the online documents. Once the online form has been filled out, you can print your Will. Once complete, we recommend that you safely store it and inform the relevant parties of its existence.

The online services are provided by our sister company, Toolboxx Limited. You can find out what is included, the key stages, and payment options by clicking here.

Telephone/Video Per Person

Simple Will (not including Trusts, Agricultural Land and Business Property) £150 (£125 + £25 VAT)

Will including Agricultural Land £360 (£300 + £60 VAT)

Will including Business Property £360 (£300 + £60 VAT)

Protective Will with Asset Protection & Severance of Joint Tenancy £499 (£415.83 + £83.17 VAT)

This combines the Will, a Will Trust and Severance of Joint Tenancy.

See our Ancillary Conveyancing page here for more details on the Severance of Joint Tenancy Service.

Where you have opted for a telephone or video appointment, simple Wills (Wills that do not contain Trusts, farmland, or business interests) will be drafted within 5 working days. More complex Wills, such as Agricultural Land, Business Property or Protective Will, will be drafted and sent for approval within 10 working days

Once drafted, the Will will be sent to you to review. Any amendments can be returned to us to make a new copy. Amendments will be completed within the same time scale above. Once all amendments have been completed and you are happy with the Will, you can sign it, date it and have it witnessed. Please see the signing instructions below. Once complete, we recommend that you safely store it and inform the relevant parties of its existence.

Example Fees Simple Will

Legal Fees with Electronic ID included £150 (£125 + £25 VAT)

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £150 (£125 + £25 VAT)

Example Fees Will which includes Agricultural Land

Legal Fees £360 (£300 + £60 VAT)

There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:

Electronic ID for 1 customer 1 x £15 = £15

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £375 (£315 + £60 VAT)

Standalone Severance of Joint Tenancy £125 (£104.17 + £20.83 VAT)

See our Ancillary Conveyancing page here for more details.

Bespoke Estate Planning Review and Report £600 (£500 + £100 VAT)

During the consultation, we will go through your estate in detail, analyse your current personal affairs for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes, and outline estate planning options for IHT and long-term asset protection. After the consultation, we issue a report within 10 working days.

Example Fees

Legal Fees £600 (£500 + £100 VAT)

There will be other third-party costs in addition to the above. The disbursements are as follows:

Electronic ID for 1 customer 1 x £15 = £15

TOTAL EXAMPLE COST
= £615 (£515 + £100 VAT)

Bespoke Estate Planning Review and Report

Signing a Will

How do I sign my Will?

You have taken the first step of having your Will drafted. It is now vital that you execute your Will correctly (sign it, date it, and have it witnessed). Here are some do’s and don’ts to help. Our Customer Care Team are also on hand via live chat, telephone and email to guide you through what to do.

Do have TWO independent witnesses present at all times when signing (or initialling) your Will. Witnesses do not need to read the Will or know its contents, although they should be told what type of document they are witnessing. They are simply witnessing your signature and acknowledging that you have signed the Will freely, and on that basis that the contents of the Will have been understood and approved by you.
Do sign your name at the bottom of each page first (except the final page). Your witnesses aren’t required to do this.
Do sign the Will in the same colour as both witnesses, i.e. all signatures completed using black ink.
Do, where indicated, write the date clearly in full, including the year. e.g. 12th day of January 2014, on the final page.
Do sign with your usual signature alongside where it says ‘Signature of Testator’ on the final page.
Do get your witnesses to sign and print their names, and write their addresses and occupations on the final page.
Do make sure all signatures are witnessed by all those present.
Do make sure that if you correct your Will in any way, it must be initialled by you and by both your witnesses in the margin alongside.

All Wills must be signed and witnessed correctly to be effective. Failure to do so will make your Will invalid.

Do not sign or initial any part of your Will without your witnesses being present.
Do not ask a beneficiary, nor the spouse or registered civil partner of a beneficiary, to witness the Will, as any benefit or interest to which they are entitled within the Will will be lost.
Do not use correction fluid or Tipp-Ex on your Will if you make a mistake.
Do not fasten anything to your Will, e.g., staples or paper clips.