Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Without a will, the rules of intestacy decide who inherits your estate — and those rules often do not match what you would have wanted. Unmarried partners get nothing. Stepchildren receive nothing. Estranged relatives may inherit. A will puts you in control.

Our fees are fixed and agreed before we begin. A single will starts from a modest flat fee, and mirror wills for couples are available at a discounted rate. More complex wills and trusts are quoted after a free consultation. There are never hidden extras.

For straightforward wills, most clients receive a draft within a few working days of their initial consultation. Once you approve the draft, signing and witnessing can be arranged within the week. More complex cases naturally take a little longer, but we always agree a timeline upfront.

You do not need a solicitor specifically — you need a competent professional. Specialist will writers handle wills every day, often with more practical expertise than general solicitors. What matters is that your writer is qualified, insured and takes a proper instruction from you.

Absolutely — and we recommend you do. Marriage, divorce, having children, property purchases, inheritances and significant shifts in wealth should all prompt a review. Small changes can be made by codicil; larger changes are best handled with a new will, which we make straightforward.

You die 'intestate' and the law decides who inherits under statutory rules. The rules prioritise spouses and children, then parents, then siblings, then more distant relatives. Unmarried partners receive nothing under intestacy — a common cause of hardship and dispute.

Not in your kitchen drawer. Wills need to be kept somewhere secure and accessible to your executors. We offer free, fire-resistant secure storage, and we provide you and your executors with a record of the will's location so there is no confusion when the time comes.

Yes, home visits are available across Greater London at no additional charge. We also visit clients in care homes, sheltered accommodation and hospitals where required. Video and telephone appointments are also available for those who prefer.

An LPA is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions for you if you lose mental capacity. There are two types: one for property and financial matters, and one for health and welfare. Both are registered with the Office of the Public Guardian.

Yes. Inheritance tax is a significant concern for many Londoners because of high property values. We advise on the nil-rate band, the residence nil-rate band, the spousal exemption, business and agricultural property relief, gifts and trusts. Where needed we work alongside accountants or financial advisers.

Yes, you must name at least one executor. They should be trustworthy, organised, and ideally younger than you. Many clients name their spouse or adult children, with a professional as backup. We can act as executor professionally if you would prefer to avoid burdening relatives.

Properly drafted wills are rarely successfully contested. We take care to ensure capacity, to prevent undue influence, to keep file notes explaining decisions, and — in sensitive cases — to gather medical evidence at the time of signing. These precautions make claims far harder to succeed.

Possibly — it depends on capacity at the time of giving instructions. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 sets the test, and we work carefully with GPs, consultants or capacity assessors where appropriate. A lucid interval can allow a valid will to be made; we know how to handle this sensitively.

Yes, at no extra charge. Your original will is kept in secure fire-resistant storage. You receive a certificate confirming where it is held, and your executors can retrieve it when needed. You can also collect it yourself at any time.

Every three to five years as a matter of course, and sooner if your circumstances change significantly — marriage, divorce, birth of a child or grandchild, major financial change, or the death of a beneficiary or executor. We contact clients proactively for reviews at no cost.