Will Writing Solicitors
A will made correctly cannot easily be challenged. A will made incorrectly — or not at all — leaves your family to deal with the consequences.
A will is the only legally binding document that controls what happens to your estate when you die. Without one, the intestacy rules apply — which may not reflect your wishes and can leave a partner, stepchildren, or others with nothing. A solicitor will draft a will that is valid, clear, and tax-efficient — and keep a copy on file so it is never lost.
What a Solicitor-Drafted Will Covers
Making a will — what needs to be considered and why a solicitor makes the difference.
A will is not just a document that says who gets what. It is a legal instrument that must be valid, unambiguous, and capable of being administered. A solicitor ensures it achieves everything you intend.
Formal validity requirements
To be valid, a will must be in writing, signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses who each sign in the testator's presence. The witnesses must not be beneficiaries or their spouses. A will that fails these requirements is invalid — and the estate passes on intestacy as if no will existed. A solicitor ensures the execution is correct and witnesses it personally, removing the risk of a technical invalidity challenge.
Blended families and complex family situations
Where there are children from a previous relationship, step-children, unmarried partners, or estranged family members — a standard will can have unintended consequences. Trusts, life interest provisions, and careful drafting of the residuary estate ensure that assets pass in the way intended — protecting a second spouse's right to live in the family home while preserving the children's inheritance. A solicitor will identify the family structure and draft accordingly.
Inheritance tax planning
Estates worth more than £325,000 (or £500,000 where the residence nil rate band applies and the property is left to direct descendants) may be subject to inheritance tax at 40%. Gifts between spouses are exempt, and the nil rate band is transferable between spouses. Charitable legacies reduce the rate to 36%. A solicitor will identify the estate's likely IHT position and structure the will to minimise the tax payable — potentially saving the estate tens of thousands of pounds.
Guardianship of children
If you have children under 18, your will is the place to appoint a guardian who will care for them if both parents die. Without an appointment, the court decides — which may not reflect your wishes. A solicitor will ensure the guardian appointment is correctly made and discuss the financial provisions needed to support the children — typically through a trust administered by the guardian or trustees of your choosing.
Business interests and property abroad
Business assets — shares, a sole trader business, partnership interests — require specific consideration in a will to ensure continuity and tax efficiency. Property abroad may require a separate will in the relevant jurisdiction. A solicitor will identify these issues, advise on the correct approach for business succession, and flag where local advice abroad may be needed alongside the UK will.
Storage and review
A will kept at home can be lost, damaged, or — in disputed estates — tampered with. A solicitor keeps the original on the firm's file and can register it with the National Will Register. Wills should be reviewed after any major life event — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant change in financial circumstances. Marriage automatically revokes an existing will. A solicitor will advise on when a review is needed and what changes to make.