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Home » Wills, Trusts and Probate Solicitors in Chelmsford

Wills, Trusts and Probate Solicitors in Chelmsford

Leaving our family bereft when we are no longer around to care for them is a fear for all adults. This concern can be negated with the help of Ellisons’ Wills, Trusts and Probate Solicitors in Chelmsford. We put everything in place so you can rest assured that your family are well looked after in your absence and allow you to plan effectively for your later years.

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Nicola Weldon

Partner, Solicitor & Head of Private Client

Look after your future with our Wills, Trusts and Probate Services

Providing financial stability for not just your future, but your family’s too, can take a huge weight off your mind. From making a will to deciding how your money is disbursed, through to providing expert financial planning, our team can help ease your worries and prepare for the future.

Our Will-Writing Service helps you to provide for your family and make sure all of your personal and business assets and estate go to those you wish, whether in the UK or abroad.

We are hugely proud of our carefully nurtured reputation and high-quality client service, which sees generations of the same family instruct us to clarify the future distribution of estates and plan their financial legacy.

Learn more about our Wills, Trusts and Probate Solicitors in Chelmsford

Ann Coutts has been a Senior Associate at Ellisons since July 2020. Ann specialises in all areas of private client matters, such as wills, lasting powers of attorney, probate and administration of estates, tax and trust administration. This is an area of law that Ann feels a particular passion for, and she takes great care to look at the bigger picture for clients when writing wills, taking into account their personal circumstances, family businesses and other interests. Ann is a full, accredited member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and also holds the STEP Advanced certificate in Will Writing. In addition to this, Ann is a trained specialist in dealing with elderly and vulnerable people and is an accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE).

When is probate required?

Put simply, probate is the legal process involved in administering someone’s estate in the event of their passing. The process of probate is therefore required following an individual’s death when they have assets of which they wish to pass on to loved ones. In the first instance, this process includes collecting all assets connected to the estate and paying any remaining liabilities the estate owes. These liabilities might include inheritance tax, income tax, capital gains or other outstanding debts. Many estates can be quite complex to administer and to become the executor of the estate and for any administration to be conducted, a Grant of Probate is required. The expertise and guidance of a specialist Probate Solicitor can be a huge advantage, whether the Solicitor acts as the Executor of the Will or to simply guide you through the process as you act as Executor. As the Executor is liable for any mistakes made in administering the estate, having detailed knowledge of the law close at hand can prevent a much more complicated situation further down the line.

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Meet The Team

Senior Partner, Solicitor & Head of Rural Affairs

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Chloe Baldwin

Associate Solicitor

Linda Osborne

Kate theobald.

Legal Assistant

Michelle Lamm

Partner, Chartered Legal Executive

Megan Clark

Lauren hancock, danielle barker.

Trainee Solicitor

Rachel Dawson

Senior Associate, Chartered Legal Executive

Megan Buisson

Abigail frawley, natasha swift, bethany rose-hunt, leigh gonella.

Chartered Legal Executive

Siraat Rangari

Nicholas royds, ellen connelly, service areas of specialisms.

Powers of Attorney

Probate and bereavement, lifetime tax planning, contested wills, trusts and probate, court of protection.

11th April 2024

Health and Welfare LPAs

Lasting powers of attorney (“LPAs”) came into force on 1 October 2007 under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. There are

Read More…

9th April 2024

Rise in inheritance disputes

Inheritance disputes are on the rise, with just under 400 probate cases reaching the Courts in the first 9 months

4th April 2024

Reviewing Wills in light of increasing challenges

Recent estimates from within the industry have shown that as many as 10,000 people in England and Wales are challenging

Ellisons has a diverse team which covers all areas of law. All the team members I have met are friendly , approachable and knowledgeable but most importantly professional and highly competent.

Client Feedback Legal 500

Advice was sought by myself and family, and Ann helped us to fully understand the implications of the Asset Protection Trust. With her clear explanation of the tax benefits we would lose out on by keeping the APT we decided to end the Trust and drew up a Deed of Appointment thus terminating it. Absolutely the right thing to do in our situation, and a huge relief to me.

Private Client Essex

I found the service excellent. The Solicitor was friendly and approachable, took the time to discuss and explain. Happy with the service and communication overall.

If you have any enquiries please contact any one of our specialist team who would be pleased to advise you on your options. You can also contact your lawyer individually from ‘Our People’ using the link below.

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Wills 4 Less Chelmsford

We provide services to individuals, families, and business owners who need assistance with their estate planning.

Our Services

Are you looking for a reliable, professional will writing company that can assist you in your Will writing?

Our organisation is one of the finest and we ensure making your Will is simple for you; at affordable costs, including free and secure storage.

As part of our objectives, we value openness, social responsibility, honesty, and caring for our clients is the core of all the services we offer.

Single Wills

A single will is a legally binding document that outlines the wishes of an individual in regards to their assets and property upon death. It allows a person to designate where their belongings will go, who will receive them, and how they are to be distributed.

Mirror Will

A mirror is a reflective surface that reflects light to create an image of whatever is in front of it. Mirrors are commonly used for personal grooming, decorative purposes, and to view oneself or objects behind the mirror.

Funeral Plans

A funeral plan is a type of insurance product that allows individuals to pay for their own funeral expenses in advance. It typically includes an upfront payment to cover the costs associated with burial or cremation.

Property Protection

A property protection trust is a legal arrangement in which an individual transfers ownership of their assets to a trust. This is for the benefit of themselves and other named beneficiaries.

Why Should You Make A Will Chelmsford

Typically, a Will serves as a legal instrument through which you express your desires for the future of your assets, including property, money, possessions, investments, and children, in the unfortunate event of your demise.

If you live in UK and you pass away without having a valid legal bestowal, the government  will  have the authority over the distribution of your assets.

Also, other people will be free to make decisions, to their benefit, on who to take care and educate your  children  under the age of 18 years.

Your essential must do's - When Making A Will!

Approximately 59% of British adults did not have a Will

Make Your Families Life Easier

Creating a Will is crucial as it helps to mitigate potential conflicts like legal battles over inheritance. It’s a common scenario where individuals end up taking their siblings or even their surviving parent to court in the hopes of acquiring specific assets or investments.

Crafting a professional Will holds great importance, so exercise careful consideration when selecting the individual to oversee your Estate once you have passed away. Opting for an exceptional executor ensures that your wishes and bequests will be carried out precisely as intended and desired.

Who is Your Beneficiary

To prevent such incidences; therefore, you should write a legacy and bestow your possessions to your children according to your wish and desire.

Before writing a Will, you should consider the value of the properties you own, including savings, cars, and furniture.

Also, acknowledge your homes, business entities or even property abroad, and the legacy should outline the individual to receive them after you are gone.

What to Consider, When Writing a Will

Trust and trustees.

Many individuals remain oblivious to the crucial role of trustees and commonly overlook appointing them when drafting a Will: they are the trustworthy individuals entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding your property for the well-being of your family members, including children under the age of 18.

Beneficiaries

The reason behind writing a Will is to ensure that your loved ones inherit your possessions you worked hard to obtain. You should determine carefully on how your property will be divided and who should inherit what. The beneficiaries may include your children; wife or wives; close relatives, such as aunts, uncles, and grandchildren; friends or co-workers or any other person you may wish.

Usually, if you have young kids, you should choose the person who is to take care of them until they attain the adult age, for most states is 18 years. Therefore, it is reassuring to understand that you have the right to appoint an official guardian of your choice for your children in the will.

Your Letter of Wishes

The Single Will is an innovative Online Will writing service tailored for individuals seeking to leave behind their personal possessions. Our team of legal experts will guide you through a simple and efficient process to create your legacy. Additionally, you will be paired with a dedicated advisor who will discuss your desires and assist in crafting a bespoke document that suits your unique circumstances.

FAQs: Everything You Need To Know About Wills

Do I Need To Write A Will Chelmsford?

Absolutely crucial! A written Will is a must-have. For instance, if you reside in England and pass away without a clear document outlining how your assets should be distributed, the government will make all the calls. They might decide to fund other projects, like crowns, instead of passing your estates on to your children. It’s imperative to take control and ensure your wishes are followed.

What information will I need to write a Will?

When making a will, you need to submit details, including your full names and addresses, titles of the executors, the location and a complete description of all the assets, and the particulars of the minor children before your death.

Who should I appoint as my executor Chelmsford?

It is advisable to choose a trustworthy person, and it is wise to appoint more than one person, especially in high valued estates.

Why should I review my Will?

After writing your Will, it is worthwhile to review it once or twice after every five years, to make the adjustments; for example, the number of the grandchildren have changed, or the value of your assets has declined on increased.

How can I provide for adults with special needs in my Will?

To ensure that the persons benefit from the inheritance, you should consider establishing a Trust so that they can receive the revenue regularly rather than a lump-sum.

Our efficient service offer a short free consultation and free advice to understand that making services available to all is vital for an excellent service and satisfied clients.

If you are looking to write your own will here at Wills 4 Less Chelmsford we are proud to offer a great service, provide advice on single wills, trusts through to lasting power of attorney.

I have a will, but I am getting married soon, is my Will still valid?

Your Will remains valid until you get married, marrying invalidates your previous legacy, and you should make another immediately, or your possessions will be subject to intestacy policies.

Do I need a solicitor to make a Will?

No, making a Will is flexible, and you can make it individually, or you can request the assistance of a professional Will writer .

Why do I need two witnesses in a Will writing?

According to the UK’s statutes, when a person signs a Will, there have to be two independent adults, above 18 years old, to witness the event for it to be valid and enforceable in a court of law.

Our writing services will give you a legally binding will perfect for your individual circumstances.

Wills 4 Less Chelmsford offer expert advice on inheritance tax, mirror wills, intestacy rules, business assets and power of attorney without the cost of probate solicitors.

We offer home visit, online meetings but most clients like to meet in their own home to discuss the matters about a valid will.

Throughout the whole process we provide expert advice on how best to protect your loved ones and our legally binding writing service for lasting powers means you will get the best solution for you and your family.

Get in touch with our team today we have various types of wills and trusts available at a special offer. Protect you and your family at a very difficult time.

Client Testimonials Chelmsford

Why Work With Wills 4 Less Chelmsford

• Approved and dedicated team
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• Simple no complicated process
• We write thousands of plans each year
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• Leigh-on-Sea
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Heritage Wills

Professional last will and testament advice

Heritage Wills specialises in creating a last will and testament for customers from Essex. If you need affordable will writing and lasting power of attorney services, we are here to help. Contact us for a range of competitively priced services. We also offer excellent  funeral plans   and estate administration . If you are in Chelmsford or anywhere in Essex and Suffolk, get in touch with us today.

Call us - 01245 363 822

Email us - [email protected], for estate planning services in chelmsford, essex and suffolk, call heritage wills on 01245 363 822.

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Will Writing Service in Chelmsford

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A will is an extremely important part of your life – and your death. Without a will, you can create all kinds of financial and interpersonal problems among friends and family, especially if there are already tensions between different people in your personal and home life in April 2024.

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If you do not already have an existing will, then it can seem daunting to try and create one from scratch. Many people in Chelmsford have no idea how a will looks, let alone how to create a legal document that can contain all the assets they want to spread around after their death. Even a basic will can seem like a tough document to produce on your own.

The best alternative is to use a cheap, reliable will writing service. Will writers can help you put together a will that is not only legally valid and binding but accurate to your wishes and the way that you want your family to be compensated after your passing.

A will is a major part of getting your affairs in order. We are a team of specialist will writers that understand how to tailor every single will to the client’s wishes and needs, acting as legal professionals to review and amend your will as needed to better suit the legal framework it exists in.

If you are interested in getting a valid will created, then our will writing services may be the best place to turn. There is no easier way to get a will created than sitting in the comfort of your own home and letting the professionals handle it for you.

Why Use Us?

Our team of specialist in-house solicitors and experts have formed a will writing service with a strong legal core. We understand how to construct a will that will not be contested or found invalid, writing firm and decisive details that fall within the legal requirements of any written will.

Co-Op Legal Services

We consider ourselves to offer co-op legal services, with several specialists cooperating at all times. This does not impact the solicitor cost and ensures that you get the best results possible.

Thanks to our Chelmsford online will writing service, plenty of past clients have been able to rest easy, safe in the knowledge that our will writing services have given each family member the security and stability they will need. As legal documents, it takes a lot of skill to craft a will completely free of ambiguity and uncertain language.

Our Work in Chelmsford

If you want to prove testamentary capacity and ensure that your will is carried out, then you want a will that is professionally written and able to give you all the right legal cover. A professional service like ours is not just there to protect someone’s interests but to make sure that the personal circumstances behind your will do not compromise your wishes.

Inheritance, Wills & Probate Barristers Chelmsford

Our Chelmsford experts are far more than just simple will-writers. We know how to write wills that properly distribute your assets to your chosen beneficiaries, making sure that there are no vague terms or hard-to-understand passages that get in the way of a clear and direct will statement.

As a licensed team of barristers and legal experts, we understand how inheritance laws relate to your personal possessions. We also have a full understanding of the legal processes surrounding British wills and how they should be approached if you want a will of your own.

Our online will writing service provides an easy way to get a new will written quickly, tailored to your exact needs and preferences, through multiple in-depth discussions. Will writing services like ours need to be prepared to sift through legal details and personal information to figure out how the right kind of will can be constructed.

A will dictates what happens after your death, concerning both immediate family and personal friends. A professionally-drafted will is not just something you get for style – it also provides you with the legal protection and support you need to have your wishes carried out correctly.

A large part of our duties as your will writing service involves us carefully piecing together a will that matches your wishes and needs, making sure that absolutely nothing can be misunderstood or misinterpreted. Any vagueness could allow the will to be challenged, compromising your original intentions and wishes as a result.

Inheritance

Wills are commonly used to set aside possessions or assets for inheritance, whether that is your own home or just a simple lump sum of money. We know how to write inheritance documents in a way that will not leave any doubt about how those assets are distributed and the terms behind them being handed over.

This includes details like overseas assets or money that is given in set amounts every year – things that can require highly specific legal language to get right. In a complex family situation, our professional assistance can make a big difference in how the inheritance is carried out.

Probate is the process of a person getting the legal right to deal with your personal property after your death. Your will can name a family member or friend that you trust to handle your assets – if you do not, then your closest living relative may have a chance to apply for probate.

A will allows you to specify your own executor (or executors) that will carry out your wishes instead. Since probate awards some control over your assets, you may have somebody you would prefer to name as your executor – former partners, close family members, a best friend, etc.

Probate might sound like a small detail, but it can be important if you have highly specific wishes for what will happen after your death. Our will writing services take these details into account, even if they do not initially appear to be all that important.

Reasons For Getting A Will Written

There are many reasons to get a will written, some more obvious than others. This includes:

You Have Specific Wishes

Wills allow you to specify the kind of Chelmsford funeral that you want and means that your family do not have to make that decision for you. This can be important since many people have specific personal or religious preferences that will impact how they want their body to be treated after their death.

You Have Dependent Children

Providing for children after your death is important, especially if they are your own children. If you die without a will, then the courts will choose who takes care of them and what assets they are given, so specifying your wishes can be important.

You Aren’t Married

If you are not married or in a partnership, then there is no guarantee that your partner will get anything after your death. This could even include the home that you have both been living in if you owned it.

You Own Overseas Property

Owning property overseas can complicate things since inheritance laws might be different between the two countries. This often requires you to specify your own inheritance requirements – this gives your family and friends some guidelines on what they should be doing.

You Worry About Inheritance Tax

Inheritance tax can become a problem if your estate is worth more than £325,000 upon death. Specifying that everything above that threshold goes to your spouse can result in them avoiding the tax.

Things Change

Updating your will can be important if circumstances change. It is possible to keep a single will throughout your entire life (although your existing will is cancelled if you get married), but you will want to keep updating your will to make sure that it is relevant to your current wishes and list of assets.

Where to get a will written?

Online will-writing services provide a useful place to get wills written quickly and efficiently, condensing the usual will-writing process into something far more convenient. Local solicitors and online specialists like us are a great way to get your wills created on short notice.

Online wills are no less valid than wills that were written in person in Chelmsford. In fact, many online wills are written with more care and specificity than the alternative, thanks to the wider pool of experience that online specialists like ours can draw from. Online platforms are akin to an online law firm – offering the same protection in a more convenient fashion.

Keep in mind that will writing is not a regulated market. You want to be sure that you are using will and probate services you can trust, so be sure to do your research on any local solicitor you consider. Even a licensed solicitor may not be experienced enough to write more than a simple will with minimal details.

How to get a will written?

The easiest way to get a will written is to simply approach a will-writing team and start telling them what you are looking for. Our will specialists know how to turn even the most basic of will concepts into an effective legal document, all without major delays or legal hurdles.

You can contact us directly if you need a will written by experts who know exactly what they are doing. We are more than happy to take up the responsibilities of writing your will, putting all of our expertise and past successes into producing the best document possible.

What is the Cost of a Will Writing Service?

On average, expect to pay anything from £100 to £150 for a single will, £250 for a mirror will, and £400 for trust wills in Chelmsford. This can vary depending on where you go, but paying more for a higher-quality will is almost always a worthwhile trade.

A will writing service involves a lot of serious legal work and careful planning to ensure that the document is legally correct and free from any misunderstandings or vague passages. Even a small mistake in terminology can completely destroy an otherwise perfect document – many of the extra costs here are due to the time it takes to produce a good will.

A cheap will might technically be valid, but it may not offer the same fine print details that a higher-quality option does. This can become a significant problem at a later date – for example, a budget will using the wrong terminology for your civil partner or not specifying a legal guardian for your children.

Best will writing service near me

Finding a good will writing service in Chelmsford can involve a lot of searching in your own time. However, the best wills come from experts, and online services mean that you do not even need to be in the same part of the country to get a will prepared for you.

Online wills are perfectly legal, meaning that they can be a great option for people who want something more than their local will-writers can offer.

Legal Will vs Online Will

Getting a will written by local legal professionals can often seem like the right choice, especially if you do not want to spend too much time searching for any alternatives. However, online documents offer far more flexibility and often come from specialists with more varied kinds of experience.

Wills can be tricky to write, and you might think that an online will writing service would be a riskier option. However, both are fully legal – the only difference is which one suits your needs best, and how well you choose the company providing it.

The Advantages Of Getting Will Written By A Solicitor

Writing your will yourself is always an option, but even then, it can be a smart idea to get a will writer to revise and reword it. This is because:

• A solicitor knows what to ask. They will cover details you did not even consider to leave no loopholes or vague details.
• A professional can draft your will correctly, making it far more legally admissible.
• A solicitor will word your will correctly and use the right kind of language, ensuring that nothing is misinterpreted and none of your wishes can be spun into something they are not.
• A good solicitor understands how to draft wills to accommodate complex family structures or tense financial stations.
• You get the option of extra steps, such as inheritance planning.

What happens if I die without making a will?

If you die without having written a will, then your assets and debts pass on to your partner. If you have no surviving partner, then any children you might have take on the estate, divided equally.

While this is sometimes fine for tight-knit families in Chelmsford that can distribute the wealth as intended anyway, this can become a problem in almost any other situation.

Divorced or separated partners cannot inherit, but cohabiting or informally-separated partners still can. Other relatives may be able to inherit under specific circumstances if there is nobody else who can, following a specific order of priority.

If you have no people who are eligible to inherit your assets, then they pass to the Crown. This effectively puts them in the hands of the government, meaning that they are no longer accessible to your family unless somebody makes a case to prove otherwise.

What exactly is a will?

In general, a will is a document that spells out exactly what you want to happen after your death. That means the treatment of children, spouses, civil partners, bank accounts, properties, assets, and anything else that you might want to specify. It also includes your funeral preferences and any inheritances you wish to happen.

What Can you Include in a Will?

You can include a lot in a will, mostly involving who in your family or private life gets what. This might mean things like giving bank accounts to a civil partner or trying to securely store inheritances until your children are old enough to use them wisely.

What types of gifts can I include in my will?

There are three types of gifts involved in a will:

• Specific, meaning a particular item you own or amount of money you want to give.
• Non-specific, meaning a general term like “my collection of antiques”. These can sometimes require some interpretation from the beneficiaries.
• Residuary, meaning everything left after the specific and non-specific gifts. This could be to a specific person, or a general order to divide everything else up fairly.

You can also give gifts to children, held until they are 18, or give gifts directly to charities as a donation.

Can an executor of a will also be a beneficiary?

An executor in Chelmsford can be a beneficiary, and the executor is often chosen from the main beneficiaries of the estate. Sometimes multiple are chosen to prevent bias and self-interest.

Do I need a will if I don’t own a house?

Wills cover all belongings, not just property. “Estate” does not mean your physical estate but your general assets as a whole.

What if I don’t have anything to leave?

Having a properly drafted will can be important even if you have no direct assets. You and your possessions may be worth more than you think, and you can also use a will to specify your funeral wishes.

Tips for writing a will if you have young children

Writing a will when children are involved can be hard – but we can help guide you through the process. Parental responsibility involves picking guardians for children who may be left parent-less, and naming them if you have any specific assets you want them to take on.

Always put parental responsibility first. You do not want to leave your children with nothing.

Can I include funeral wishes in my will?

A large part of the will involves funeral wishes in Chelmsford. These can be amended if you change your mind later on.

Can a will help protect my home against potential care home fees?

While you can’t avoid care home fees, certain methods of creating a will can allow you to not pay inheritance tax.

I’m not married to my partner – should I make a will?

Making a will is important for any partnership that is not a marriage or civil partnership. Without a will, only certain situations will result in your assets being given to a non-spouse partner.

How does getting married affect your will?

Being married – or entering a civil partnership – makes your duties as will writer that much more important. Spouses and civil partners will not necessarily need to be left anything specific, but mirror wills can still be important for ensuring that certain assets pass between you if one of you dies.

Making a will and mental capacity

If a person lacks the mental capacity to create a will, then any will they create will not be legally binding. Using an online will service may allow you to get around this problem.

Our will writing service makes the process easy

Making a will can be simple if you use an online will writing service like ours. We provide a huge range of different options for creating the perfect will for your needs, discussing each point in detail to make sure that we are creating something that matches your wishes exactly.

We can deal with all kinds of specific information, from your registered civil partnership to the inclusion of a disabled family member. If you are living in England and Wales, then our services can provide exactly what you need – and we can start writing as soon as you need us.

Solicitors Regulation Authority

We at Get A Will Written in Chelmsford are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and are part of a recognised trade body. This connection with the Solicitors Regulation Authority shows that we are taking our online service very seriously.

Can any of my beneficiaries be a witness when I am making my will?

A beneficiary can’t witness a will, and neither can the spouse or partner of those beneficiaries. While many wills are created with around two witnesses there, our online service allows each client to create separate wills in private.

Where should I store my will?

Always store your will somewhere safe. This could be a locked safe, a filing cabinet, or a special hiding place. You need the physical document, so do not lose it, and get another created if you do.

Can my will be challenged?

Any will can be challenged, but that does not mean it will necessarily be successful. Most successful challenges involve situations where somebody is ignored unfairly in your will, or you have a request or gift that does not make sense and is not possible for your family and friends to complete.

What does undue influence mean in will writing?

Undue influence happens when somebody is pressured into creating a will, adding details they normally would not. This is not a practice approved by any legal body, and wills can be contested on the grounds that they appear out-of-character or biased towards somebody who may have forcibly had it changed for their own benefit.

Not all wills are regulated – Be Careful

Not all wills are safe and reliable. Even in England and Wales, you can end up setting wills that are not tax-efficient, that use incorrect information, or that are not even legally binding. Always choose a service or solicitor you feel confident with, like us.

FAQ’s

Do debts die with you.

Debts only die with you when there is no estate left and/or no relatives left to pay them in Chelmsford. While most debts will not incur any additional costs due to your death, they will not go away easily.

What about inheritance tax?

Inheritance tax only applies if your estate is worth more than 325,000. You can avoid this problem by splitting your money up more to get below that threshold.

Can I leave a will If I become incapacitated?

You can leave a will at any time. However, standard wills only apply if you die. The exception is living wills, which include details like whether or not you want to be resuscitated. These might also specify things that hold lasting power over your family even before you die, like property being given to family members in the event of you being severely wounded.

Can I Write My Own Will?

While you can write your own will, it is important to turn to a specialist as soon as you can. Wills require a lot of specialist legal language that the average person has not encountered before.

Even if you have every step of the writing process witnessed correctly by another person with some legal experience, the will you produce and the will we produce may feel like two separate wills.

What can I do if I think a relative’s estate has gone to the Crown?

You can attempt to claim an unclaimed estate if you think you have a reasonable justification for it. This is easiest to do when you are a relative. However, there is no guarantee that you will succeed.

Living together but not married or in a civil partnership in Chelmsford? A ‘cohabitation agreement’ gives you protection.

Cohabitation offers you some legal protection in England and Wales. Even if you are not married, you can still take your partner’s assets in many cases.

Is it possible to change somebody’s will after they have died?

You can only change a will if everybody involved in the decision agrees. This includes people who may be worse off from the changes. Challenging a will also counts.

Get In Touch With a Specialist

If you need a will done by a professional solicitor, contact us (outside of bank holidays) and let us know what you are looking for. Our co-op legal services ensure that several of our writers can cooperate to bring you the best legal document possible, matching your exact wishes and wants.

Feel free to contact us any time – aside from bank holidays – to get a full breakdown of what we offer. The sooner you talk with us, the sooner you get your finished will.

Find More Info

Make sure you contact us today for a number of great will writing services in East of England.

Here are some towns we cover near Chelmsford.

What Others Say About Our Services

We absolutely love the service provided. Their approach is really friendly but professional. We went out to five different companies and found Will Writing Service to be value for money and their service was by far the best. Thank you for your really awesome work, we will definitely be returning!

We have used Will Writing Service for many years as they are certainly the best in the UK. The attention to detail and professional setup is what makes this company our go-to company for all our work. I highly recommend the team for the immense work - we highly recommend them!

For more information on will writing services in Chelmsford, fill in the contact form below to receive a free quote today.

We Aim To Reply To All Enquiries With-in 24-Hours

Areas We Cover

• South Woodham Ferrers
• New Thundersley
• South Benfleet
• Stanford-le-Hope
• Canvey Island
• Southend-on-Sea
• South Ockendon
• Waltham Abbey
• Saffron Walden
• Clacton-on-Sea
• Walton-on-the-Naze

20+ Years Experience

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Get A Will Written in Chelmsford

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We are a leading will writing company based in Chelmsford that can help all people assure their assets after death in April 2024.

Our company offers a range of will writing services to people across Chelmsford, whether you are writing a will for the first time or need a new will created to meet the new demands of your life.

Table of Contents

As this is a legally valid document, there is a range of things that need to be included, and your will should be written in a specific way to ensure all of these needs are met.

Working with our will writing services can ensure that you or a family member has a professional will written on time. There is a range of ways we can help you during this time, and we support clients across England and Wales.

If you are interested in the professional assistance we can offer, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team today to see what we can do for you.

Why Use Us?

Our team of in-house solicitors in Chelmsford provide a specialist Will Writing Service. We can ensure that all of your personal possessions are protected during this time and can cover a range of assets, no matter the personal circumstances.

We can prevent a will from being successfully contested and protect someone’s interests following death. We work closely with a recognised trade body as well as those within the legal profession, such as local solicitors, as well as giving all clients their own executor to ensure the highest standard of work every time.

There are many reasons why you should consider working with professional will writers during this time, whether you are looking to get your own will completed or working on behalf of a family member.

Our professional will writers ensure that all areas of writing a will are completed, and we do this to a high standard. All our legal documents are assessed by a local solicitor to ensure they meet the needs of the client.

Working with a professional service covers all needs, including proving testamentary capacity. Our professional will writers will provide an assessment of capacity and ensure that this is recorded on file for future reference, preventing the will from being successfully contested and going against your wishes following death.

Many benefits come from working with us for the will writing process, and as a legal service, we can ensure that all needs are met during this time.

If you are interested in working with us and want to see how our will writing service can help, do not hesitate to get in touch with the Chelmsford team today to learn more.

Inheritance, Wills & Probate Barristers

Working with our will writing service gives you access to not only a will writer but also members of the law society that can help you during this process.

With our practice approved by the solicitors regulation authority, we can provide a properly drafted will as well as offer ongoing advice that can help you during this time. These services can help family members following their bereavement and help your will be seen as you desired.

We understand that you may have a complex family situation and only want all the assets to go to your immediate family or specific people, which is why we offer a probate service as well as help to write your will.

Our Chelmsford barristers have a great understanding and experience with inheritance laws and will ensure that your will is handled the same way you desire. Working with our service provides the legal cover you and your family may need during this time, as well as providing a valid will.

Reasons For Getting A Will Written

Creating a will for the first time or getting a new will organised is a task that many people put off. However, it is one of the most important things you can do and may not take as much work as you have anticipated, especially when working with a professional will writer.

Getting a will organised is a way of protecting your family and loved ones following your death, ensuring that all your assets are handled in the right manner. Having a professional will makes it easier for any law firm to handle your assets following death and can prevent family disputes, issues within the family, as well as the overpaying of inheritance tax.

With a will, it will be easier for your personal possessions to be divided once you have died and ensure that your needs will be met.

Even a simple will can provide a range of benefits, and this is something we can help with. Working with professional will writing services like those offered by our brand, as well as many others, including the Co Op Legal Services, can help with many factors in Chelmsford, including:

• You have dependent children

One of the most important reasons for hiring a will writer is to protect your children. With a will, you can not only continue to provide for your children following death but also nominate a legal guardian for those who are under 18.

Your will covers more than your personal possessions, and it is a parental responsibility to ensure that your children will be taken care of even when you are no longer with them. A will can offer the same protection to your children in the form of a guardian as it would your personal possessions following death.

If you die without a will, there will be no one with parental responsibility for your children in Chelmsford, which means it will be up to the court to decide who should look after your children. This may result in something you do not want, which is why you should take some of your own time now to finalise your wishes and get them filed legally to protect your children.

• You are not married to your partner

If you are not married or in a civil partnership with your partner, then you should not expect anything to go to them following death unless you have made a will. If you are not a civil partner or married to the person you love, then this can cause a lot of issues should you die without a will.

Without the legal binding that comes from marriage or a civil partnership, it will be difficult for your partner to continue their life following your death. Even a basic will can cover their needs and ensure they get to remain inside your shared home without being a civil partner or married to you at the time.

Unless there is this legal binding in the form of marriage or a registered civil partnership, you need to have a will that indicates your wishes for your partner to protect them during this time. You should both have separate wills that indicate your wishes for each other if you are not a civil partner or married, or you can also have the same will, which is known as mirror wills to ensure all your needs are covered.

• You are worried about inheritance tax

If your Chelmsford estate is worth more than £325,000, it is likely going to be hit heavily with inheritance tax following your death. An IHT bill can be avoided by writing a will or updating your existing will to meet your current needs, ensuring that your personal assets can be handed on in full to your loved ones.

Working with our professional writing services can help you get around having to pay inheritance tax on your possessions, as we understand the exemptions that are available to all. For example, leaving everything that is above the threshold of £325,000 to your spouse or civil partner can avoid IHT and is something to consider if you do not want to pay this tax.

• Your personal circumstances have changed

Change is the only constant in life, which can make will writing difficult. However, working with a professional will writing service like the one we offer is a way to keep up with these ever-changing circumstances and ensure that your will reflects the circumstances of your life at the time of death.

For example, we will help you write a new will or update an existing will whenever you marry, divorce, or have children to ensure the right people are entitled to your possessions and care following death.

In England and Wales, your existing will is automatically revoked or cancelled when you get married. This does not apply to people in Scotland. To prevent former partners or civil partners from getting access to your assets following death, then you will need to write a will.

• You have specific funeral wishes

If you know what you want your funeral to be like and who you want to be there, then having a will is a way to ensure this will happen following your death. With a will in place, you can leave specific instructions for your family in Chelmsford so they do not have to make any decisions following your death.

This can be helpful as they may not have the mental capacity to deal with these things once you have died, but you can get your wishes by leaving them in the will.

• You have property overseas or own property with someone else

If you own your property on a joint tenancy basis, your ownership will automatically go to the other person when you die. This is part of the survivorship rules that are present in England and Wales.

However, if you own property on a ‘tenants in common basis’ then the intestacy rules will apply unless you have left specifications in your will and this is witnessed correctly. It is important to note that if you own overseas property, the rules may differ from those in England and Wales, which is why it is best to finalise your wishes in a will.

Where to get a will made?

Now that you understand the importance of having a will made, it is time to consider your options. We are professional will writers that can offer a range of services, including the writing of simple wills to ongoing professional advice to help you during this process.

We offer Co Op legal services in Chelmsford, including will writing services, to people across the nation to ensure that your possessions and assets will be protected after death. We have plenty of services that can help you during this time, as well as an online will writing service that can be easily accessed.

Working with our will writing services, in conjunction with Co Op Legal services, gives you access to everything you need during this time. We can provide a completely free quote and a draft of your will, based on your needs, and help you cover the solicitor cost during this time.

Following the writing of your will, we will securely store this document until it is required.

If you are interested in working with us, please get in touch with the team today. We can arrange a telephone or video call with you to discuss your needs and see what we can do for you at this time.

How to get a will made?

There are various steps involved in getting a will made, and while we can do a lot of the work for you, it is a good idea for you to understand the steps involved before paying for any service so you can determine what kind of help you need at this time.

Before you can make a will, there are some things you need to do first. These are things you should do before hiring our will writing services in Chelmsford, although we can help with these too. Before writing a will, you need to determine:

• What type of will you want to make
• Who do you want to inherit from you following death
• Who you would like to look after your children (if they are under 18 or you are dealing with a disabled family member)
• If you want to leave anything to a particular charity, which includes the registered charity number
• Who you would like to leave your estate to

Once you have determined these factors, it is time to start working on making your will.

The steps that are required to make a will are as follows:

1) Value Your Estate

Before you can make a will, you first need to determine what you own and how much you have. This can determine the type of will you need to make. You will need to have a list of assets that will be included in your will, which can be:

• your home and any other property you own
• savings in bank accounts and building society accounts
• National savings, for example, premium bonds
• insurance, such as life insurance or endowment policies
• pension funds, including any lump, sums to be paid after death
• investments, such as stocks, shares, or investment trusts
• motor vehicles
• jewellery, antiques, and other personal belongings
• household contents

As well as these, you also need to include debts as these are also referred to as assets in a will.

2) Decide how you want to divide these assets

Who will get what when you die is the main purpose of a will, and this is the most important step to do when it comes to writing one. This is something we can help with when you use our writing service, but ultimately the decision is yours when it comes to your estate and assets.

In this part of the process, you will need to think about who you want to benefit from your estate as well as the needs of your family, which need to be outlined in the will.

3) Determine any charity donations

A lot of people like to include a charitable donation of some kind in their will, and this is something you can determine now or at a later date.

4) Choose your executors

A single will requires at least one executor, and this is the person who will handle everything after you have died. This is a big role and one that requires a lot of responsibility, so it is something you should consider carefully.

5) Write your will

This is where paying for a will writing service can come in very useful, and we are highly experienced at what we do. As a leading will writing company in Chelmsford, we can help create a simple will or something more complex based on your needs and will ensure that everything you desire is covered in one document.

Our registered company number is accessible across the country, including with an online service. We can help you get your will done and ensure that all of your needs are met during this time to support your family during their bereavement following your death.

What is the Cost of getting a will made?

The cost of making a will can vary based on the method you choose and the kind of service you use. As a leading will writing company, we aim to offer the best prices for all our services and have helped people across the nation in this particular area.

We can provide free quotes and free will drafting services to help you make your decision. If you are interested in learning more about the costs of our services, please get in touch with the team today.

Best Will writing service near me

We are a national will writing service that has worked with people across Chelmsford.

If you are interested in working with us, please get in touch with the team today to see how we can help and whether we are available in your local area.

Legal will vs online will

We offer both in-person and online will writing services. Online will writing services are accessible at all times and are available on bank holidays as well.

Regardless of the kind of service you choose, when signing the will you need two witnesses over the age of 18. If you are in Scotland, then you need one witness over the age of 16 for this part of the process.

The Benefits Of Getting A Legal Will Written

• Providing financial security for loved ones
• Making gifts of possessions and money
• Paying less inheritance tax
• Appointing guardians for your children
• Choosing your executors
• Avoiding inheritance disputes
• Creating a life interest
• Specifying wishes for your funeral

What happens if I die without making a will?

If you die without making a will, it can be difficult for your family to handle your assets in Chelmsford. Various consequences can come with not making a will before you die, based on your estate, your family, and these requirements.

For example, failure to make a will when you are not married or in a civil partnership could be disastrous for your partner, who may lose their home with you as they are not considered to be legally responsible for this. A will can also determine who has legal guardianship over your children or those in your care, which is something you need to consider.

It is always a good idea to have some form of a will written in preparation for when you die to ensure that your family is taken care of.

What exactly is a will?

According to the Co-Op legal services, a will is a document that allows you to determine what will happen to your assets and estate following death.

What Can you Include in a Will?

Everything you own can be included in a will, including:

• Household items, antiques, and other physical items you own
• Parental guardianship of children under the age of 18

There is a range of things that are included in your Chelmsford estate, which we have already mentioned. We can help ensure that everything is included in your will.

What types of gifts can I include in my will?

There are various ways that you can divide your estate in your will, such as:

• A pecuniary bequest (a fixed sum to a specific person)
• A specific bequest (for a specific item)
• A residuary bequest (a percentage of your estate)

Can an executor of a will also be a beneficiary?

It is possible for the executor of your will to also be a beneficiary of your estate.

Do I need a will if I don’t own a house?

It is a good idea to write a will regardless of what you own because there is more than just property ownership covered.

What if I don’t have anything to leave?

We all leave something behind when we die, even if it is a small selection of personal belongings which need to be organised by our family.

However, even if you do not have a lot and do not think that writing a will is worth it, you may have money or assets by the time you die, which can be assigned to other people through this legal document.

Can a will help protect my home against potential care home fees?

A trust will is what you need for this, and it protects your home or savings against future care home fees.

Making a will and mental capacity

To make a will, you have to understand what you are doing, which is to prove mental capacity. This is something you have to prove at the time that your will is written, as well as at the time it is signed by two witnesses.

Four things are required to prove this:

• you must understand the purpose of the will (which is the handling of your estate when you die)
• you must understand what is in your estate (which can be a general awareness)
• you must understand that people can make a moral claim on your estate, even if they are not a beneficiary
• you must not be suffering from what is legally known as a ‘disorder of the mind.’

Our will writing service makes the process easy

Making a will can be quick and easy if you use a will writing service. Working with us will ensure that you are getting access to the right guidance and support.

Our will writing service in Chelmsford will provide you with a specialist to help you complete each step of the process, and we will work with you from start to finish. Our will writing advisors can discuss your wishes, offer recommendations and help you to make a will that is right for you and your circumstances, no matter what these may be.

We are an authorised company number and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), so you have peace of mind that your will is written in a way that is recognised by the law.

Where should I store my will?

Your will is stored in a safe place that can be accessed by executors when you die. We can keep hold of your orignal document as well as any other documents you require as part of your writing services.

Can my will be challenged?

All wills can be challenged, but when it is professionally drafted and backed by legal professionals like those in our team, it can prevent this from being a successful claim.

What does undue influence mean in will writing?

This is when someone has been influenced or forced to write their will by another person, and can affect the legality of the document.

Not all wills are regulated – Be Careful

While there are many services similar to ours in Chelmsford, not all of them are of the same quality. We are a regulated and secure will writing service that can provide legal documents for your needs.

FAQ’s

Do debts die with you.

No, as debts will be included in your estate.

Can I leave a will If I become incapacitated?

You can include guidance in your will to help if you become incapacitated, which will be used by solicitors.

Can I Write My Own Will?

Yes, you can write your own will, but it is always worth getting this checked by a solicitor to ensure this is legally binding.

Is it possible to change somebody’s will after they have died?

You can make variations to a will based on specific regulations, as outlined by the government.

Get In Touch With a Specialist

Get in touch with a will writing specialist today.

We are open every day, including bank holidays, so contact us today to see how we can help.

Find More Info

Make sure you contact us today for a number of great will writing services in East of England.

Here are some towns we cover near Chelmsford.

What Others Say About Our Services

We absolutely love the service provided. Their approach is really friendly but professional. We went out to five different companies and found Get a Will Written to be value for money and their service was by far the best. Thank you for your really awesome work, we will definitely be returning!

We have used Get a Will Written for many years as they are certainly the best in the UK. The attention to detail and professional setup is what makes this company our go-to company for all our work. I highly recommend the team for the immense work - we highly recommend them!

For more information on will writing services in Chelmsford, fill in the contact form below to receive a free quote today.

We Aim To Reply To All Enquiries With-in 24-Hours

Areas We Cover

• South Woodham Ferrers
• New Thundersley
• South Benfleet
• Stanford-le-Hope
• Canvey Island
• Southend-on-Sea
• South Ockendon
• Waltham Abbey
• Saffron Walden
• Clacton-on-Sea
• Walton-on-the-Naze

Sovereign Wills & Estate Planning

Will Writing

Estate Planning

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Estate planning services in essex.

Protect your wealth with wills, trusts and Lasting Power of Attorneys

Protecting your legacy. Planning your future.

None of us like to consider a world without us in it. Perhaps this is why over 70% of the UK population do not have a plan in place for when they pass away or become unable to live independently.

But failing to take care of your affairs now could have devastating consequences for your friends, family members and intended beneficiaries further down the line.

The team at Sovereign Estate Planning offer expert wealth protection advice to clients across Essex and the South East of England. We can give you reassurance that, whatever life has in store, your assets will be protected, and your loved ones will be provided for. 

Making a Will

Title making a will is an important legal process that ensures your estate passes to whom you would like it to.

Whether you have a young family or are in a later stage of your life, it’s never too early, or late, to make or review a Will. In fact, it’s encouraged that your Will is reviewed throughout your life to keep it up-to-date, relevant and reflective of your wishes.  

There are many misconceptions relating to Wills and inheritance, with one of the most common being that your spouse or partner will receive all of your estate if you don’t create a Will, which is not necessarily the case. Making a Will enables you to choose your beneficiaries, your executors and appoint guardians for your children. It can also help you to make a gift to a cherished charity.

Planning for the future is not complete without a Will. Setting out exactly how your estate is to be handled can give you peace of mind knowing that you can continue providing for those you want and need to. With the help of an experienced Will writing solicitor, you can ensure this is done effectively and efficiently.  

Our team will go above and beyond, making sure you have all the information you need to write your Will and advise on any tax implications that may arise from it. If you have a complex family, or business or agricultural assets, we will work closely with other relevant departments at Prettys and fellow professionals such as accountants and financial advisers to ensure you have seamless, bespoke advice to help you organise your affairs. 

What Can We Do For You?

Prettys are here to help you successfully navigate the various legal aspects of the Will writing process, advising you with regards to:

• Appointing Executors to administer your estate
• Advising on the appointment of Trustees if there is a continuing Trust 
• Appointing Guardians if you have minor children 
• Family succession for business and agricultural assets
• Gifts and charitable donations
• Residuary Beneficiaries, including the age at which they are to receive the inheritance
• The tax efficiency of your Will, including advising on Inheritance Tax

For any assistance or advice on making or reviewing a Will, solicitors in our dedicated Wills, Trusts and Estates services team will be happy to help. Contact us to find out what we can do for you.

Why Choose Prettys?

At Prettys, we understand that your Will is incredibly important to both you and your loved ones. We draw on our experience to tailor our service, ensuring the legal aspects of your estate are dealt with in your best interests and with care. For this reason, we have been backed by the Law Society’s prestigious Lexcel quality mark.

Our Private Client team is willing to go the extra mile for you and your family. Whether that means home-visits to get your Will signed or out-of-hours communications, our dedicated solicitors will do all they can to help make the legal process as simple as possible.

For answers to some of the most common questions people have about making a will, please scroll down to the FAQs section at the bottom of this page.

To enquire about our Will writing services and discover how we can help you, contact us on 01473 232121, complete our online contact form or send an email to [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.

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What people say

I was recommended Prettys Solicitors by a family member as I needed to update my Will and was looking into the possibility of setting up a Financial and Health Power of Attorney. 

From the initial contact by telephone with the Reception staff to the appointments with the Solicitor I was impressed by the level of service, professionalism and advice given. I found all that I dealt with friendly and informative, the advice given helped me to make the decisions required and I feel that the Will that has been drawn up reflects my wishes.

More importantly the advice and details of how to set up a lasting Power of Attorney helped me make what is for most people a very difficult decision about how to prepare for an unknown future. If it is needed in the future, I now feel that any decisions to be made are in the hands of people I trust and will ensure that I am looked after in the way I would want.

If you die without a Will in England and Wales, the law will decide who gets what and who deals with your estate. If you have no family, your estate may go to the Crown. It doesn’t always follow that your spouse will inherit everything, and without a Will, your unmarried partner won’t benefit at all.

You will have something and you may have even more when you die. The safest course of action is to have a Will so you can choose where it goes.

We will quote a fixed price for a straightforward Will so you know up front what you are going to pay. All our Wills are bespoke to your needs and circumstances. If your circumstances are more complex and you need Trust or tax planning advice, then the costs will be higher. We will attempt to fix these costs where possible as soon as we receive your instructions.

A Will is a legal document, so it is important that the wording is clear and the formalities are correct for it to be legally effective. We can prepare a document that will ensure your chosen Beneficiaries receive what you would like them to from your hard-earned estate. All of our Wills are prepared by solicitors with many years of legal training, and we can advise on all aspects of Wills, Trusts and tax planning, making sure your Will is suitable, tax efficient and puts your wishes into effect.

We can advise you on all aspects of Trusts and Wills, including whether they are suitable to your needs.

Executors are the people you chose to administer your estate, deal with all of the paperwork and apply for Probate. Executors can be Beneficiaries, and it is often advisable to have more than one. Executors can also be the Trustees of your Will if you have a continuing Trust. We can act as your Executors if you would like us to do so.

Give us a call on 01473 232121, email us at [email protected] or complete our contact form to arrange an appointment for you to come in and give your instructions. At the first appointment, it would be very useful to have a broad idea of your assets and the names and addresses of your proposed Executors and Beneficiaries. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Please note that we do not undertake work on a pro bono basis. For local enquiries, please contact Suffolk Law Centre .

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Thank you for providing your personal information. Please be aware that we will use that information to get in touch with you regarding your enquiry but never sell or transfer it to anyone else. 

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Will writing solicitors

Writing your will is an important part of planning for your family’s future. Our solicitors specialise in wills and probate. We can help you with making a will, a declaration of trust or a deed of variation.

Making a Will

We combine legal advice with  independent financial advice , so you can plan your Will in connection with your other financial plans.

Our large team of wills and trusts solicitors offer a comprehensive range of wills, trusts, tax,  probate  services including: 

• Wills  – drafting a new Will, updating your current Will, codicils and general advice, for example leaving money or property to charity. 
• Tax  – our specialist tax accountants plan the most efficient tax solution for you, and those to whom you leave money or property in your Will.
• Probate  – sorting out the estate of the deceased person to obtain the Grant of Probate. Includes managing the paperwork associated with money, property, tax and any legal issues.
• Declarations of trust  - to set out who owns what percentage of a property. 

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We work with you at every step. We'll explain your options, and how any decision might effect you and your dependents, in plain English. We make sure you're completely informed at every stage, so you fully understand the implications to you. We also explain the benefits, and any potential risk to you - so we can plan around it together.

Call our specialist solicitors on   0808 231 1320

We’re here to help

Our specialist lawyers are based in:

• Cambridgeshire : Cambridge
• Essex : Brentwood, Chelmsford, and Saffron Walden
• Hertfordshire : Bishop's Stortford and Royston 

But we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.

Talk to an expert

Frances Gill

Senior Associate, Wills, Trusts, Tax and Probate

Bishop's Stortford office

Georgina Leighton

Brentwood office

Nicola Havers

Executive Partner, Wills, Trusts, Tax and Probate

Heather Fuff

Associate, Wills, Trusts, Tax and Probate

Cambridge office

Legal 500 UK 2024

'A friendly, people-oriented approach to client relations and concise document drafting. They can communicate legal terms in layman’s language and are excellent at teasing out the pros and cons of various alternatives'

'Ian Johnston is a fine example of the ability of the firm to deliver the human approach to what can be very serious discussions'

'Sarah Walker is exceptional in helping us with wills in France and the UK. She listens brilliantly, responds appropriately, and gives clear and simple principles to work to'

Legal 500 UK 2023

'The Tees private client team has helped my family over three generations. I would recommend Tees to every family in need of advice on trusts, tax, succession and estate planning'

Legal 500 UK 2021

‘I have dealt with Nicola Havers as executor on probate matters and as a trustee for a family trust - she operates with calmness, tact, and diplomacy. Nicola is an efficient case manager. She brings in additional specialist advisers at the appropriate stages to supplement her own advice.’

‘The team has been helpful to me and my late mother in a range of ways that I feel go above and beyond the strict job description. In particular, they responded very quickly to her when she wanted legal help urgently when she discovered she was terminally ill. As she died two weeks later, Tees’ quick and helpful response was a great gift to her and so to me.‘

‘I have found the staff of Tees Law to be professional and highly responsive. It is clear that they care deeply about their clients’ needs and delivering a first class service‘.

‘The team at Tees takes the time to explain what will happen and made sure l understood the process. They kept me updated without me having to contact them. After the meetings, l was happy l had a good grasp of what was a complicated legal request.’

Make a will - FAQs

If you die without a will, your money will be distributed under the rules of intestacy. Under intestacy rules, your next of kin can inherit your money and assets according to a strict order of priority.

If you have a spouse or civil partner and children, then your spouse/ civil partner would receive the first £250,000 of your estate and personal chattels. Anything above this amount would be split as to half for the surviving spouse/ civil partner and half equally between your children. If any of your children have predeceased you, then their share may pass to any surviving children of theirs. 

If you should pass away without any surviving spouse/civil partner, children or grandchildren then your estate shall pass in accordance with the following order of priority: 

• Brothers and sisters (or their children)
• Half-brothers and sisters (or their children)
• Grandparents
• Uncles and aunts (or their children)
• Half-uncles and aunts (or their children)

If you have no surviving relatives as described above, then your estate would pass to the Crown. Having a properly written will in place means your wishes are known and can be carried out after your death.

The benefits of having a properly written will include:

• You choose who inherits from your estate
• You can choose someone to trust to administer your estate
• Your family know what your wishes are
• Gives the opportunity for estate and inheritance tax planning and management 
• Makes appropriate provisions for minors or dependents 
• Assists your estate in the event that the will is contested.

The National Will Register is an official register of wills in the UK. It is approved by the Law Society and used by many solicitor firms. If your will is registered, solicitors can easily find it after your death.

No – it’s not compulsory to register your will on the National Will Register. However, if you register your will it can make it easier for your family to know what your wishes are after your death.

In order to be valid, a will should be:

• Made by a person over the age of 18
• Made in writing; the will can be handwritten or typed
• Made by a person with mental capacity, who understands what they are doing
• Made voluntarily and without pressure
• Signed by the person making the will, with two witnesses present
• Signed by two witnesses, in the presence of the person making the will, after they have signed the will themselves.

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Frequently asked questions.

Answers to some of the most often asked questions

Why is it important to make a Will?

Writing a Will is the best way to have a say over what happens when you die. This is incredibly important if you have children under 18, as it allows you to state who you want to be their legal guardian if anything happens to you. Without a Will, the courts could be left to decide who looks after them.

Writing a Will also allows you to set out how you want to divide up your estate, including any property or accounts you own. You can make an inventory of your assets and choose exactly how much you want people to inherit, helping to prevent any family disputes when you’re gone.

What happens if you die without a Will?

On average, it costs families around £9,700 when their loved one dies without a Will. This is usually made up of assets they can’t find or don’t know exist. When you make a Will, you can make an inventory of your assets so your loved ones know exactly where to find everything.

If you die before making a Will, any assets that can be found will be divided up following the rules of intestacy. These are a set of traditional laws that define exactly who gets what – but they may not follow exactly what you would want.

Do I need a solicitor to write a Will?

Many people assume they need to see a solicitor to write a Will. But if your requirements are fairly simple and straightforward, you could end up paying more than you need to.

What happens if you don't write a Will?

In the UK, there are over 30 million adults who haven’t written a Will. And while many are probably putting it off until later life, it’s inevitable that some people will die before they ever get the chance to make one.

When someone dies without writing a Will, they are known as ‘intestate’. This is also the name given to people who have a poorly written Will that doesn’t cover the whole estate, or people who write a Will but don’t get it signed by witnesses to make it legally binding. In cases where the person who died didn’t make a Will, the rules of intestacy come into play.

The rules of intestacy are a set of laws in England and Wales that define what happens to someone’s estate if they die without a valid Will.

What is the best type of Will for married couples?

For most married couples, a Joint Will is usually the best option. This allows each of you to write your own individual wishes without having to pay for two separate Wills. For more complex relationships, a Trust may be a better option.

What is a Joint Will?

A Joint Will is actually made up of two individual Wills – one for each person in the relationship. This gives you the freedom to either echo each other’s wishes or write your own, depending on what’s right for you.

What is a Mirror Will?

A Mirror Will is a pair of Wills for couples who want to mirror each other’s wishes. Most commonly, couples will choose to leave everything they own to their partner, then their children.

How to avoid Inheritance Tax?

You can avoid Inheritance Tax by leaving everything to your spouse or civil partner in your Will. Alternatively, you could reduce your Inheritance Tax bill by giving gifts while you're alive or leaving part of your estate to charity.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows someone to make decisions for you, or act on your behalf, if you're no longer able to or if you no longer want to make your own decisions. If you don't make an LPA, and later become unable to make certain decisions for yourself, there may be a time when no one can legally make decisions for you. This can make things difficult, such as paying bills or care costs, or making decisions about your future care.

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We understand how daunting matters can be when determining on any advice. So many questions to ask, which is why we make that first step super easy. {If you’re searching for an experienced law firm that is executry and need help with wills, living trusts, living power of guardianship orders or attorney, inheritance tax preparation or indeed anything related to executry law. We pride ourselves in giving clear-cut, honest guidance to the people of Chelmsford.So what are you currently waiting for? phone our Chelmsford law firm now where you’ll find our caring staff waiting to offer you the absolute best guidance, all of our Lawyers practices have family law solicitors on hand to give you the very best advice. Search for your local Law Practice and use the local phone number or fill out a contact us form on your local law firms page.

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