Wills Solicitors

Making a Will is extremely important, and yet it is something that many put off entirely or fail to update regularly enough.

It is often wrong to assume that by not making a Will, the whole of your possessions are passed to your loved ones entirely or in the proportions which you may wish.

When helping clients with Will writing, our solicitors consider all relevant aspects, including inheritance tax planning and unusual family circumstances. Making a Will is never enjoyable, but it’s a crucial decision, and we will make the process as easy as possible by providing expert advice with minimum legal jargon.

Contact us today to arrange a meeting in our office or your home* to discuss your requirements and see how we can help.

Why You Need to Plan Your Will

Many people avoid making a Will because it’s a challenging topic or they don’t think they have significant assets to leave behind. It’s also often wrong to assume that by not making a Will, all your possessions will pass on to your loved ones entirely or in the proportions you wish. A Will is an essential legal document that ensures your money, property, and possessions will be distributed as you desire following your death.

Here are some of the reasons why you need to make a Will:

• To make adequate provision for your loved ones, unusual family circumstances and vulnerable beneficiaries
• To protect unmarried partners
• To appoint a legal guardian for your children
• To provide a written record of your wishes on your death
• To help mitigate care home fees
• To minimise the burden on your loved ones
• To minimise inheritance tax

Why Choose Us to Manage Your Will

We are specialist Wills solicitors in Liverpool and have gained years of experience in this area of law. From the moment you contact us, we will provide expert advice to ensure you receive a high-quality service tailored to your needs. We will take the time to understand your situation and explain the options via face-to-face appointments (including home visits if required) or video calls. We know Wills can be challenging, but our solicitors will avoid legal jargon to describe things as clearly as possible and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Our solicitors are flexible and have exepeirence drafting and advising on different types of Wills, we can consider every aspect, including inheritance tax planning, care home fees, and catering to unusual family circumstances and for vulnerable beneficiaires. We can offer advice on assets that do not fall under the terms of your Will. Our team will ensure the Will is correctly drafted, signed, and witnessed so it is legally valid. Husband Forwood Morgan can act as your witness and store your Will at no additional costs.

What Our Wills Service Includes

We offer a comprehensive service to assist clients in creating their Will, ensuring that our clients fully understand the contents of their Will, that all of their wishes are included and that the Will is completed correctly to be legally valid. Our Wills service includes:

• An initial consultation where we can gather information about you, your assets, and your wishes so we can advise on the most suitable options.
• We will prepare a draft of the Will and a letter of advice while offering you the opportunity to ask any further questions or make amendments.
• We will schedule a further appointment to read through the Will together, ensuring you understand and agree with the contents.
• When you sign your Will, we will act as your witnesses and can store it at no additional cost.

Fees

We will tailor our fees to the individual circumstances of your matter and typically carry out most Will matters on a fixed fee basis. But as an example, for a simple Will, we would usually charge £200-£300 plus VAT and £300-400 plus VAT for simple mirror Wills for couples. For Wills which are more complicated than a “simple Will” (such as where your Will is being prepared to mitigate Inheritance Tax and/or your Will establishes a Trust), we will provide an individually tailored quotation on request and after confirming your circumstances and requirements.

How to Choose the Right Will Solicitor

Choosing the right solicitor for your Will is essential so that it is prepared correctly and legally valid, accurately reflects your wishes, and avoids disputes after your death. Before you appoint a solicitor, you should carefully consider several factors to help guide you towards the most suitable solicitor for your needs.

Firstly, the solicitor’s qualifications and expertise should be at the forefront of your mind when deciding. Aim to find a solicitor specialising in Wills who will provide a tailored service. At Husband Forwood Morgan, we strive to offer independent expert advice unique to each client, ensuring they benefit from a service that suits them best. You will also want to gain an understanding of their reputation, which you can do by reading online reviews or asking friends and family for recommendations. Check that the solicitor is fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

Finding a solicitor with excellent communication skills is another vital factor. You will want to appoint a solicitor who can communicate clearly, helps you understand complex legal terms, and is available to answer any questions when you have them. Making a Will can be deeply personal and involves discussing sensitive information, so ensure you pick a solicitor that you feel comfortable with and trust will have your best interests at heart. Additionally, the solicitor should be transparent about their costs and fees upfront.

While plenty of research can go a long way in helping you choose the right solicitor for your Will, don’t hesitate to ask for a consultation appointment or contact the solicitor with some questions before you appoint them. Typically, your first few questions might involve digging deeper into their experience with Wills, learning more about their fees and what services are included in their fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have a Will?

If you don’t have a Will, your estate will be divided according to intestacy rules. These rules mean that certain family members will receive your assets, depending on who survives you. Typically, eligible people can include married or civil partners and children. Unmarried partners, close friends and carers can not inherit your assets. Therefore, we recommend you make a Will to ensure your estate is divided according to your wishes.

Will my estate go to my family anyway?

Your estate will only go to your family based on who survives you and your relationship with them. As mentioned above, an estate is divided based on intestacy rules if you don’t have a Will. Therefore, unmarried partners are not entitled to inherit anything unless they are included in their partner’s Will.

What is Probate?

Probate, also known as the Grant of Probate, is a legal document from the Probate Registry which confirms whether someone has the authority to deal with someone’s estate after they die. An executor of the Will may need to apply for a Grant of Probate to administer the deceased’s estate. Visit our Probate page for more information on how our solicitors can assist with this area of law.

*Can I have an appointment at home?

We can see clients at home depending on their location. Please note that we may charge more for visiting you at home. We also offer appointments via video call, such as on Microsoft Teams or Zoom.