Wills
Our Wills Unit provides Wills and Inheritance Tax advice and is part of our Private Client Division.
The Team is headed by three Partners, with a specialist Wills Team dedicated exclusively to the preparation of Wills. The Team completes over 1000 Wills every year and provides:
- Highly trained staff who are friendly and understanding.
- Excellent customer service.
- The use of plain English when writing Wills.
- Professional, efficient and competitively priced service.
- Inheritance Tax advice and planning.
- Guardianship advice.
- Free Will and document storage.
When preparing your Will, we shall:
- Advise you and take your instructions.
- Advise you on Inheritance Tax planning, where appropriate.
- Prepare a draft Will for your approval.
- Prepare the final document for signature.
- Supply you with a copy of your signed Will.
- Store the original Will in our strong room for safekeeping, free of charge.
Did you know that seven out of 10 people die without leaving a valid Will?
Making a Will is quick and easy and the only way to be certain that your wishes will be carried out.
And if you don't have one?
The law says who gets what.
Do not assume that your wishes will automatically be carried out after your death. If you do not have a Will your estate will pass to your relatives according to the rules set out in the Laws of Intestate Succession, so you need to make a Will to be certain that your assets go to the people you wish to inherit them:
- Your children may not be looked after by the people you would choose.
- If you are an unmarried woman with young dependent children it is essential that you make provision for their long-term future.
- If you are living with someone but not married to them, they do not have an automatic right to any part of your estate.
- The value of your estate could be reduced by tax you need not have paid.
Only a Will can make your wishes legally binding.
With a Will you can:
- Dispose of your assets as you wish.
- Choose your own executors.
- Plan for any tax which may be payable on your death.
- Avoid family disputes.
- Make gifts to family, friends or charities.
- Set out your wishes for your funeral arrangements.
We also offer advice and guidance concerning Lasting Powers of Attorney (documents appointing someone to deal with your property and finances and/or with your personal welfare, if you should become unable to manage for yourself).
Managing Your Affairs - download our leaflet
Key Contact
Sue Cullen, Senior Wills Manager