Making a Will

Preparing a Will is probably a task you would prefer not to think about. However, getting your affairs in order for when you pass away is too important to put off. Drafting the right Will makes things easier for your loved ones in the future and gives them the reassurance that when the time comes, they can put your wishes into effect. Plus, it ensures that your wealth and property will go to those who you want to receive them.

You can rely on our specialist Will writing team at Wolferstans in Plymouth to handle your estate planning with a professional and understanding approach. We aim to give you peace of mind for the future and understand that everyone is different and that everybody needs personal advice specific to their circumstances.

Making a Will can be a complex business, affected by a multitude of rules and options. Some family circumstances are straightforward and others more complicated, but there are things we can do to make sure your Will is tailored to your wishes and the particular needs of your family – resulting in a Will that works perfectly for you.

Fortunately, Wolferstans can easily guide you through the process. We have a wealth of experience in everything from the most straightforward to the most complex family arrangements.

Our Will writing service covers consideration and advice on the many aspects involved in the process. From appointing executors to dealing with matters around inheritance, trusts, tax, powers of attorney and probate, we’re here to help. Whether this is a first-time Will or a review of an existing Will, our team will explain your choices and take the hassle out of managing your estate.

Contact our Will writing solicitors

For advice on making a Will, please get in touch with our specialist Wills solicitors today. You can call us on 01752 643978 or complete the enquiry form on our contact page.

Our simple, convenient and sensitive Will writing service

We offer:

Fixed fees
A fast track service if you are going away on holiday or into hospital
Safe storage of your Will and registration of your Will with Certainty, the National Will Register, at no additional charge
Plain English advice
Home visits
Free Will review service
Specialist advice from members of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Charity Will Schemes: Cancer Research, Institute of Cancer Research, RNRMC Will Scheme (Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity), 10% discount for members of the Armed Forces and veterans
Accreditation by the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme (WIQS)
Compassion and sensitivity
A holistic service covering all related matters

How we can help you with Wills and inheritance planning

Making a Will allows you to decide what happens to your property and possessions when you die. It can also give you the opportunity to make your estate more tax efficient.

Without a Will, you lose control over who inherits from you and there is a risk that your property and possessions will be distributed in accordance with intestacy rules. This means your estate might not go to the people you would have intended.

Our Wills solicitors can take you through the process of making a Will step by step so you get a Will that suits your needs. Within the team we have members of Solicitors for the Elderly, STEP, and we are all accredited under the Law Society’s Wills and Inheritance Quality Scheme. This reflects the wealth of expertise across the team.

We are specialists in assisting clients to incorporate trust arrangements within their Wills. In today’s modern society, this has become even more relevant, with second marriages and assets being left to young children or vulnerable beneficiaries.

We will assist you in determining whether you require a trust arrangement and what this would mean.

We pride ourselves in ensuring that any trust will not only legally achieve what you require but is also practical and problem free.

We advise all our clients in relation to Inheritance Tax issues as part of their Will drafting process. Our experts can also provide standalone advice, sometimes in conjunction with advice from accountants or financial advisers.

We can discuss ways to save Inheritance Tax. Very often this might be making a change to your Will, reviewing your assets and how they are held. We can also advise you on lifetime gifting and certain assets upon trusts.

We understand that succession planning is an important consideration for the future of your business. We can help you with your business succession planning and the tax implications that need to be considered. We can offer advice on inheritance tax exemptions and reliefs to make sure your estate planning is financially sound.

We will liaise with your other professional advisers such as IFAs and accountants in order to provide you with a succession plan that is right for your circumstances.

We will review your lifetime arrangements and, after looking at your particular circumstances, advise if you should consider a Business Lasting Power of Attorney.

Whether your affairs are complex or straightforward we can offer you advice tailored to your needs and give you the peace of mind that you have made provision for the people or organisations that matter to you.

How much does it cost to make a Will?

Fixed fee Wills

We are able to prepare straightforward Wills for a fixed price, giving you certainty over the costs involved. This gives you the peace of mind of knowing your Will has been properly drafted, signed and witnessed for a single, pre-agreed price.

Hourly rates for our Will solicitors

For more complex Wills, we may need to charge according to an agreed hourly rate. This gives us the flexibility to ensure all of your requirements are met and that you can get the exact level of support you need.

To find out more about the cost of making a Will, please get in touch.

Frequently asked questions about making a Will

Do I need a Will?

There are many good reasons for making a Will, including if you:

Want someone other than your spouse and/or children to inherit all your property
Need to make special provisions for children, grandchildren or friends
Need to make special provisions for beneficiaries with disabilities
Want to make special provision for beneficiaries with personal difficulties, such as financial or marital problems
Need to ensure that beneficiaries can have money managed for them, where appropriate
Have young children for whom you would like to appoint a legal guardian in case something should happen to you and your spouse/partner
Want to reduce the Inheritance Tax burden on your estate
Would like to appoint someone you know to be in charge of dealing with your estate

Do I need a solicitor to make a Will?

Although it is possible to write a Will without advice from a solicitor, it is not advisable. There are various legal formalities you need to comply with to make sure that your Will is valid. Without help, there is a risk you could make a mistake, which could cause problems and significant expense for your family and friends after your death.

A good Will solicitor will also be able to advise on making your Will more tax-efficient, boosting the amount that passes to your beneficiaries when the time comes.

When should I update my Will?

It is important to keep your Will up to date to ensure it is valid at all times. Your Will should be reviewed every couple of years and after any major life changes, for example getting married or divorced.

We can offer you a free Will review to consider any change in your circumstances or in the law and whether you need to make any amendments.

Book a consultation with our Will solicitors in Plymouth

No-one knows what’s around the corner, but creating the right Will is an essential tool to help protect your loved ones in the future.