Your wishes
Consider who you want to provide for and what you would like to happen to what you leave behind. Taking time to organise those thoughts can help shape the next steps.
Wills and trusts
Give your wishes the attention they deserve.
Thinking about the future means thinking about the people who matter to you. We can discuss how wills and trusts may fit into your wider plans and explain the help available.
Begin with what you want to happen
Your family, relationships and priorities are the starting point. Whether you have already made arrangements or are considering them for the first time, it helps to be clear about your wishes and the questions you want to address.
A conversation can help you understand what needs attention and where specialist legal or tax input may be required.
What we can discuss
Existing arrangements
Changes in family circumstances can make it useful to revisit earlier decisions. We can discuss the arrangements you have and the questions you would like to review.
Your wider estate plans
Wills, trusts and inheritance tax planning can raise related questions. Looking at your intentions together helps identify the areas that need further consideration.
What a will can put in place
A will sets out what you want to happen to your money, property and possessions after death. It can name beneficiaries and executors, the people responsible for dealing with the estate. It can also address guardianship wishes for children. Without a valid will, the intestacy rules determine how the estate is distributed, which may differ from your intentions.
Start with the people you want to provide for, the assets you own and any specific gifts you would like to make. Consider what should happen if a beneficiary dies before you and who could act if your chosen executor is unable to do so. Clear instructions can help reduce uncertainty for the people dealing with your estate.
The legal requirements for making and signing a will matter. More complex family arrangements, overseas assets or business interests may need specialist attention. This is a general overview for people considering arrangements in England and Wales; the rules differ elsewhere in the UK. We can discuss your priorities and explain where specialist input is needed.
How a trust works and what trustees do
A trust is an arrangement for holding and managing assets for beneficiaries. The person putting assets into it is known as the settlor. Trustees are responsible for administering the assets in line with the trust's terms and their legal duties. Beneficiaries are the people who may receive income, capital or another benefit from the arrangement.
Different trusts give beneficiaries different rights and trustees different levels of discretion. They may be considered where assets are to be managed for someone who is too young to handle them or where support needs to be structured over time. The practical purpose should be clear before the legal structure is chosen.
A trust also creates responsibilities. Record keeping, registration and tax reporting may be required, with costs for establishing and administering the arrangement. Moving assets into a trust does not automatically remove inheritance tax or other taxes. The type of trust and the circumstances of the people involved need careful assessment. Trustees should understand the role before agreeing to take it on.
Keeping your will and wider arrangements up to date
Reviewing a will is useful after a significant change in family or financial circumstances. Marriage, civil partnership, separation, divorce, the birth of a child or the death of someone named in the document can all raise questions. Changes to property ownership or business interests can also affect how earlier instructions would work in practice.
Do not alter a signed will informally. Changes need to be made through the appropriate legal process, such as a valid codicil or a replacement will. Ask a legal specialist to explain how a change in relationship status affects your existing document. The effect is not identical for every event or every jurisdiction.
Keep the original document securely and make sure your executors know how to locate it. Alongside it, maintain an accessible record of relevant accounts, property and policy information. If there are existing trusts or beneficiary arrangements, review how they fit with the will. This helps turn a statement of wishes into arrangements that can be understood and acted on when needed.
How we work
A conversation is a good place to start.
- 01
Tell us what matters
Talk to us about your circumstances, your questions and what you want to achieve.
- 02
Understand your options
We explain how we can help and discuss the next steps, including any relevant fees.
- 03
Agree a way forward
You can decide how you would like to proceed with a clearer understanding of what is involved.
A little clarity
Questions you
may have.
Can I contact you if I already have a will?
Yes. Tell us what has changed or what you would like to understand. We can explain how we may be able to help and whether specialist input is needed.
Is a trust right for everyone?
No. Trusts can have legal, tax and practical implications. Suitability depends on your circumstances and the arrangement being considered.
A wider view
Related services
Your next chapter
Start a conversation about your wishes.
We are here to listen and discuss the next steps with you.