Preparing for the future

Writing a will is crucial to ensuring your loved ones are provided for following your passing, no matter the extent of your assets or wealth. Making arrangements to draft your will ensures your wishes will be carried out in the way that you would like them to be, as well as allowing your estate to be distributed in the most tax-efficient way.

Smith Partnership's wills and inheritance team offers extensive experience dealing with every aspect of wills and probate, no matter how complex. From straightforward will writing to highly complex estates involving international assets, our in-house expertise provides a legal solution to suit every need. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

Do I Need a Will?

A will is the most important form of legal documentation that determines how your estate is dealt with following your death. If you die without having a will in place, the assets you own will be distributed according to laws known as the Rules of Intestacy – leaving you no control over how it is dealt with.

Drafting a will over the course of your lifetime also provides clarity regarding your wishes, making it easier and less stressful for those left behind to administer your estate. Furthermore, a will can also go a long way in minimising the amount of Inheritance Tax you are expected to pay, maximising the value of your estate.

How Can a Will be Used?

Wills can serve many different purposes depending on the specific circumstances. Some of the most common reasons for drafting a will include:

  • Legally documenting the way in which you wish your estate to be dealt with
  • Ensuring family members or other loved ones are adequately provided for
  • Minimising taxes on your estate
  • Making a gift to charitable causes
  • Residential/care home fee mitigation
  • Protecting vulnerable beneficiaries, for example those with special needs
  • Naming the executors tasked with administering your estate
  • Appointing legal guardians to take care of children under 18 years of age
  • Reducing the risk of inheritance disputes

There are many other reasons why drafting a will can be immensely beneficial. For more information on how writing a will can be of benefit to you, contact our friendly team.

When is a Will Valid?

Wills are subject to a number of legal requirements that determine their validity. In order for a will to be valid, it must meet the following criteria:

  • The will must be in writing
  • You must be over 18 years of age and of sound mind
  • The will must have been made voluntarily
  • The will must be signed by you in the presence of two adult witnesses
  • Both witnesses must sign the document alongside you

What We Offer You

We understand that considering what will happen to your estate after your death can be stressful. For that reason, our will writing service ensures that drafting a will is a simple and straightforward process, no matter what stage of life you're at. 

Our legal expertise enables us to tailor your will to achieve the goals that matter to you, providing for the needs of the loved ones that surround you. With a focus on providing practical, jargon-free legal advice, our team regularly deals with a diverse range of matters relating to wills and estates. 

Whether you're in need of specialist legal advice regarding will writing, estate administration, Inheritance Tax and estate planning, Deeds of Variation, Lasting Power of Attorney, Living Wills, trusts or anything else, our wills and probate solicitors are on hand to help.

Why Choose Smith Partnership?

Smith Partnership's professional will writers have helped countless clients enjoy peace of mind through protecting their hard-earned assets. As one of the largest law firms in the Midlands, our offices are situated across LeicesterDerbyBurton upon TrentSwadlincote and Stoke-on-Trent, helping us deliver a legal service that is practical, responsive and accessible.

Working on a fixed fee basis, we can help you get the best out of your estate in an efficient and cost-effective way. Whatever your circumstances or preferences may be, our experienced solicitors can help you manage your estate in whichever way you see fit.

Contact our team today

To find out how our expert team of solicitors can help you, contact us today on 0330 123 1229, send us an email via info@smithpartnership.co.uk or complete our contact form.

FAQs

You can change your will as often as you like, provided that you have the mental capacity to do so.

A beneficiary is a person who receives some form of benefit in a will.

An executor is the person who is responsible for seeing that the wishes of your will are carried out. It is the executor who formally represents you when you have died and this person collects in your assets and then distributes them in accordance with the terms of the will.

As soon as you are aged over 18 years old. If you only have £1 in your bank account, you can still leave this money to your chosen beneficiary.

Our prices start at £350 + VAT for a single will and £600 + VAT for a mirror will.