Plain-English guides on wills, intestacy, inheritance tax, and everything else you need to plan your estate with confidence — and protect the people you love.
All Guides — newest first
More than half of adults in England and Wales don't have a Will. Here's what really happens to the people left behind when there isn't one — and why there's no good reason to put it off any longer.
Being appointed as someone's attorney is a serious legal role. We explain the five Mental Capacity Act principles every attorney must follow, what they can do, and the hard limits on their authority.
One mistake with your witnesses can invalidate your entire will. We explain the exact rules for signing, what your executor takes on, and why the order of signatures matters more than most people realise.
Making a Will is simpler than most people expect — but the decisions you make before you sit down matter more than anything else. Work through these ten questions first.
If you have children under 18, naming a legal guardian in your Will is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Without it, a court decides who raises them. Here's what you need to know.
A Disabled Person's Trust can provide lifelong security for a vulnerable beneficiary and favourable inheritance tax treatment — but should you set one up now or through your Will? We explain both options and their trade-offs.
Both documents let someone act on your behalf — but only one remains effective if you lose mental capacity. Understanding the difference could be one of the most important decisions in your estate plan.
A Will is more than a legal document — it's the only way to ensure your wishes are carried out after you're gone. We explain what a Will does, what happens without one, and why it's never too early to start.
Your executor carries out the instructions in your Will — a role that can take months and significant effort. We walk through what the job involves, what to look for in a good executor, and whether a professional is worth it.
Inheritance tax can take 40% of estates above the threshold — but with the right planning, many families pay far less than expected. We explain how IHT works, what reliefs are available, and simple steps to reduce your liability.
Mirror Wills are a popular choice for couples — but they're not always the right one. We compare the two approaches, explain when mirror Wills can backfire, and help you decide what works for your family.
Most wills say nothing about digital assets — and families are left locked out of email accounts, photo libraries, or even significant cryptocurrency holdings. A modern will needs to address the digital world. Here's how.
A Lasting Power of Attorney lets you choose who makes decisions for you if you lose mental capacity. Without one, your family may need to apply to court — a slow, expensive, and distressing process. We explain both types and when to act.
A statutory notice in a local newspaper costs very little but protects executors from being personally liable for debts that surface after the estate is distributed. We explain what it is, how the two-month protection period works, and how to place one.
A Will written five years ago may no longer reflect your wishes — or even be valid. Marriage, divorce, new children, and major asset changes all affect your Will. We cover the seven key life events that should prompt an immediate review.
Our simple questionnaire takes around 20 minutes. We do the rest — preparing your professionally drafted Will, ready to sign. From £297.