Wills & Probate Solicitor Services in the UK — Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney & Estate Administration

A will is the simplest way to protect the people you love. Yet many adults in the UK have not made one. Without a will, the intestacy rules decide who inherits — and they may not reflect your wishes.

Our wills and probate solicitor services in the UK help you make a valid will, put lasting powers of attorney in place and handle an estate when someone dies. Every service has a fixed fee.

Moreover, a will must be signed correctly. In England and Wales, it must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, who must not be beneficiaries or their spouses. Therefore, clear signing instructions are essential.

Making a will

A Simple Will names your executors, your beneficiaries and guardians for young children. For couples, Mirror Wills usually leave everything to each other first, then to the same people.

A will can also help with inheritance tax planning. For example, gifts to a spouse or civil partner are generally exempt, and the residence nil-rate band may apply when a home passes to direct descendants.

Importantly, marriage usually revokes an existing will in England and Wales. Consequently, review your will whenever your circumstances change.

Lasting powers of attorney

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) lets people you trust make decisions if you lose mental capacity. There are two types: property and financial affairs, and health and welfare.

Our Lasting Power of Attorney Preparation prepares the forms for registration with the Office of the Public Guardian. An LPA cannot be used until it is registered, so preparing it early is sensible.

For complete protection, the Will + LPA Bundle and the Complete Estate Planning Package combine the essentials. As a result, your family has the authority it needs, when it needs it.

Probate and estate administration

When someone dies, their executors usually need a grant of probate to deal with the estate. In Scotland, the equivalent is confirmation.

Our Probate Documents Pack prepares the application and guides you through inheritance tax forms. Additionally, the Executor Document Pack includes letters to banks and asset schedules, while Estate Administration Documents cover estate accounts and distribution receipts.

Inheritance tax may be due on estates above the nil-rate band, currently £325,000, subject to reliefs and exemptions. Therefore, executors should get the figures right before distributing anything.

Changing an inheritance after death

Sometimes beneficiaries want to redirect what they inherit — for example, to their children. A Deed of Variation can do this within two years of the death.

Where the correct statements are included, the variation can be treated for tax purposes as if the person who died had made it. Consequently, it can be a useful planning tool for families.

Why use a solicitor-prepared will?

Homemade wills often fail on technicalities. For instance, the wrong witnesses, unclear wording or missing executors can cause delays and disputes.

A solicitor-prepared will avoids those problems. Furthermore, it can deal with more complex situations, such as blended families or property abroad. For related guidance, see our divorce and family guide. As a result, your wishes are clear and legally effective.

Wills and estates across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Succession law differs across the UK. Therefore, where you live — and where your property is — affects your will.

In England and Wales, you can generally leave your estate to whoever you choose. However, dependants may claim reasonable provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

Scotland is different. Spouses, civil partners and children have "legal rights" to part of the moveable estate, whatever the will says. Similarly, the process of dealing with an estate is called confirmation rather than probate.

Northern Ireland has its own probate process and rules, broadly similar to England but administered separately. Consequently, a will prepared for the wrong jurisdiction may not work as you intend.

Our solicitors prepare wills, lasting powers of attorney and estate documents for the correct nation. For example, a client in Edinburgh and a client in Birmingham receive documents built on different rules. As a result, your plan does exactly what you want.

When to review your will

A will is not a one-time task. Instead, review it whenever your life changes.

Marriage or a civil partnership usually revokes an existing will in England and Wales. Consequently, newly married couples often need new wills. Similarly, divorce, a new child or grandchild, or a large inheritance can all change what you want.

Property changes matter too. For example, buying a home abroad or selling a business may call for different arrangements.

As a rule, check your will every few years. If anything has changed, update it. As a result, your wishes stay clear and legally effective.

Your estate planning checklist

Make a list of what you own. Include property, savings, pensions and insurance. Note any debts.

Next, decide who inherits. Choose your executors. Pick guardians for young children.

Then, think about incapacity. Who would manage your money? Who would make health decisions? Lasting powers of attorney answer both.

Finally, store your will safely. Tell your executors where it is. As a result, your family knows what to do.

Our Wills & Probate services in the UK

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified solicitor and is delivered online — wherever you are in the UK. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your solicitor and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

Wills & Probate services near you — every region we cover

Because everything is handled online, it makes no difference where you live. Nevertheless, the law does change from England and Wales to Scotland and Northern Ireland, so every document is prepared for your local rules. Here are some of the places our clients come from most often.

Wills & Probate help in London

We prepare wills & probate documents for London law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Westminster (near the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand), City of London (near the Central London County Court at the Thomas More Building). For example, see Simple Will in Westminster, Simple Will in City of London, Simple Will in Camden. Similarly, see Mirror Wills in London.

Wills & Probate help in North West

We prepare wills & probate documents for North West law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Manchester (near the Manchester Civil Justice Centre), Liverpool (near the Liverpool Civil and Family Court). For example, see Simple Will in Manchester, Simple Will in Liverpool. Similarly, see Mirror Wills in North West.

Wills & Probate help in West Midlands

We prepare wills & probate documents for West Midlands law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Birmingham (near the Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see Simple Will in Birmingham, Simple Will in Coventry. Similarly, see Mirror Wills in West Midlands.

Wills & Probate help in Yorkshire and the Humber

We prepare wills & probate documents for Yorkshire and the Humber law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Leeds (near the Leeds Combined Court Centre). For example, see Simple Will in Leeds, Simple Will in Sheffield. Similarly, see Mirror Wills in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Wills & Probate help in South West

We prepare wills & probate documents for South West law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Bristol (near the Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see Simple Will in Bristol. Similarly, see Mirror Wills in South West.

Wills & Probate help in North East

We prepare wills & probate documents for North East law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Newcastle upon Tyne (near the Newcastle Combined Court Centre). For example, see Simple Will in Newcastle upon Tyne. Similarly, see Mirror Wills in North East.

Wills & Probate help in East Midlands

We prepare wills & probate documents for East Midlands law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Nottingham (near the Nottingham County Court). For example, see Simple Will in Nottingham, Simple Will in Leicester. Similarly, see Mirror Wills in East Midlands.

Wills & Probate help in Wales

We prepare wills & probate documents for Wales law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Cardiff (near the Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre). For example, see Simple Will in Cardiff, Simple Will in Swansea. Similarly, see Mirror Wills in Wales.

Wills & Probate help in Scotland

We prepare wills & probate documents for Scotland law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Glasgow (near the Glasgow Sheriff Court on Carlton Place), Edinburgh (near the Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Chambers Street). For example, see Simple Will in Glasgow, Simple Will in Edinburgh. Similarly, see Mirror Wills in Scotland.

Wills & Probate help in Northern Ireland

We prepare wills & probate documents for Northern Ireland law and local court practice. Clients come to us from Belfast (near the Laganside Courts). For example, see Simple Will in Belfast. Similarly, see Mirror Wills in Northern Ireland.

We also help clients in South East, East of England. See every location we cover.

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Related guides

This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified solicitor before you act.