Make your Will today
Making a Will is easy with our Will-writing service. We offer you the option to make your Will online; via video call; or face to face. Whichever option you choose, your Will will be prepared by Karen Yates, a fully qualified and experienced Wills and Estate Planning Solicitor.
We provide a bespoke, personal service and all of our Wills are tailored to your personal and financial needs.
Our simple Wills start from £250 plus VAT and we offer all of our Wills on a fixed fee basis with no hidden extras so you will always know what your Will will cost at the outset.
If you’re worried about care fees, inheritance tax, or anything else, book a free consultation now to see what the options are and how we can help you to protect your assets.
Wills & Estate Planning
Our personal approach ensures that, regardless of your circumstances, we provide the right Will for you and your family.
All of our Wills allow you to specify:
- Who you want to deal with your estate and assets for you on your death (known as your Executors)
- Who you wish to benefit and how your assets should be distributed amongst them
- Any cash gifts you wish to make, such as cash gifts to charity or to grandchildren
- Who you wish to appoint as a guardian for any of your children who are under 18 at your death
- Any specific funeral wishes
In addition to the above information, there are different types of Will to suit different family and financial circumstances and concerns so it is important to use a qualified, specialist Solicitor to ensure your Will meets your needs.
If you die without a will in England & Wales, the intestacy rules apply. This means that the law sets out a specific order for who inherits your estate, and ultimately, if you have no living family members, then under the intestacy rules the Crown can receive everything. By making a Will, you retain control over who receives your assets and you can ensure the people you want to benefit from your estate are the ones who inherit. Your Will can also be used to reduce the inheritance tax payable to HMRC on your death, and can shelter assets against care fees and other changes in circumstances.
Types of Will:
Simple Will
A simple Will, whether made as a single Will or as a pair of mirror Wills, is the most common type of will. A simple Will states who receives your estate and in what shares.
Mirror Wills
Mirror Wills are wills made by a couple who each want their Will to say the same thing. Historically, a couple might have made a joint Will or a mutual Will but that is no longer recommended in most cases. Now, each person makes their own individual Will on the same or similar terms and these are known as mirror Wills.
Mirror Wills can be simple Wills or can be more complex involving trusts. Often mirror Wills will leave everything to the surviving spouse or civil partner on the first death and then on the second death to children.
The benefit of simple mirror wills is that it keeps things simple, but there are also risks as the surviving spouse is free to change their Will and ultimately your assets could pass to people you wouldn’t have chosen to benefit. In addition, if the surviving spouse’s circumstances change, such as them moving into a care home or remarrying, the assets you left to them could be diverted to their new spouse or used to pay for their care fees. If you have children from a previous relationship, or if you have a complex family, then a simple Will may not meet your needs and a Trust Will may offer greater flexibility and protection for your assets.
Trust Wills
At Yates Legal we specialise in preparing comprehensive estate plans that stand the test of time. One powerful tool we employ is the inclusion of trusts within Wills. This approach offers an extra layer of protection and control over your assets, ensuring your legacy is managed precisely as you envision.
When you incorporate a trust into your Will, it allows you to retain a degree of control and to dictate how your assets will be managed and distributed after your death.
Trusts within Wills serve as a powerful instrument for:
- Asset Protection: Safeguard specific assets for future generations, protecting them from potential creditors or legal disputes.
- Providing for Loved Ones: Ensure that your beneficiaries receive their inheritances in a manner that aligns with your wishes, such as in stages or for specific purposes (e.g., education or home ownership).
- Minimising Tax Implications: Utilise trusts to implement strategic tax planning, potentially reducing inheritance tax and maximizing the value of your estate.
Our Approach to Trusts in Wills:
At Yates Legal, we understand that crafting a Will with trusts requires a thoughtful and personalised approach. Our experienced Wills & Trusts Solicitors will work closely with you to provide:
- Thorough Assessment: We will conduct a comprehensive review of your assets, goals, and family dynamics to determine the most effective trust strategy for you and your family.
- Clear Communication: We will ensure you understand the implications and benefits of incorporating trusts into your Will, empowering you to make informed decisions.
- Customised Solutions: Each trust is tailored to your unique circumstances, ensuring your wishes are accurately reflected.
Secure Your Legacy
Estate planning is a vital step towards securing your legacy and providing for your loved ones.
Contact Us
Yates Legal is a trading name of Yates Legal Limited, a private company limited by shares, registered in England and Wales (number 13936912). Yates Legal Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA ID Number 8004732. Our professional rules can be found at https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/standards-regulations/ A list of the company's directors is available from the company's registered office.