Will Writing in Market Harborough — For Growing Families & Established Estates

Market Harborough is one of Leicestershire's most desirable market towns — well-regarded schools, good rail connections to Leicester and London, and a strong sense of community. It attracts young families putting down roots, professionals who commute, and established households that have built considerable assets over a lifetime.

What all of these families have in common is this: a clear, legally valid Will is one of the most important things they could have in place. Yet most don't. Estate planning tends to get pushed aside — until life makes it impossible to put off any longer. We'd rather help you do it now, on your terms, without the urgency of a crisis driving the decisions.

Who We Work With in Market Harborough

Our Market Harborough clients tend to fall into a few common situations — all of which we deal with regularly:

• Young families — who need to appoint guardians for their children and ensure both parents' Wills work together properly
• Recently moved households — who haven't updated their Wills since moving, and whose old documents may no longer reflect their circumstances
• Couples buying property together — especially those who are unmarried, where the law offers very little protection without a Will
• Established families with second properties — where the estate requires more careful planning, particularly around Inheritance Tax
• Those approaching retirement — reviewing their arrangements and making sure their LPA is in place before capacity becomes an issue

Our Services in Market Harborough

Naming Guardians — One of the Most Important Decisions You'll Make

For parents of young children in Market Harborough, naming guardians is often the single most pressing reason to get a Will in place. If both parents die without a Will, the question of who looks after your children falls to the courts — who will make the decision based on their assessment of your children's best interests, not yours.

That might mean a well-meaning relative you'd never have chosen. Or a protracted legal dispute between two sides of the family. A Will lets you state clearly who you've chosen, why, and what provisions you want made for your children's upbringing and financial welfare.

Unmarried Partners — Your Rights May Surprise You

Market Harborough has a growing number of couples who live together but aren't married — sometimes for years, sometimes indefinitely. Many assume they have the same legal protections as married couples. They don't.

In England and Wales, there is no such thing as a "common law spouse." If you die without a Will and you're not married, your partner receives nothing automatically — not your home, not your savings, not your pension. The Rules of Intestacy will divide your estate between your blood relatives, regardless of how long you've been together.

If you're in this situation, a Will isn't optional — it's urgent. It's the only way to ensure your partner is protected if you're not there.

Reviewing an Existing Will

Many households in Market Harborough have a Will — but one written years ago, before a house move, a change in family circumstances, or significant changes to their assets. An outdated Will can be as problematic as no Will at all. We regularly review and update existing Wills for clients who've moved to the area or whose lives have changed since their last appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions — Market Harborough

• We've recently moved to Market Harborough — do we need to update our Wills?+
  Moving house doesn't automatically invalidate your Will, but it's a very good reason to review it. Your previous Will may not reflect your new property ownership, any changes to your estate, or the people you now want to involve as executors or guardians. If you've moved from another part of the country, it's also worth checking that your executor arrangements are still practical — if your executor is now several hours away, that's worth reconsidering.
• We own a second property — how does this affect our Wills?+
  A second property forms part of your taxable estate and needs to be clearly addressed in your Will. Depending on the value of your overall estate, you may also need to consider Inheritance Tax planning — the nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band can reduce the tax due, but only if your Will is structured to take advantage of them. We'll assess your full estate and make sure your Will is drafted in the most tax-efficient way possible.
• My children are at primary school age — what should our Wills say about them?+
  Your Wills should name your chosen guardian — the person who would look after your children if both parents died. They should also set out what happens to the assets you leave — typically by creating a trust that holds any inheritance until your children reach an age you choose (usually 18, 21, or 25). You can also specify wishes around their education, upbringing, and day-to-day care. These provisions don't need to be complex — but they do need to be there.
• Can we do this as a couple in one appointment?+
  Yes — couples usually come to us together, and we discuss both Wills in the same conversation. Mirror Wills are drafted to complement each other, so it makes sense to handle them together. We'll cover your joint wishes, then work through any individual provisions each of you wants to make. Most couples are surprised by how straightforward the process is once you're actually sitting down to do it.