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Wills Solicitors
The Wills, LPA and Probate department at Fairmont are a team of legal experts dedicated to helping you protect everything you’ve built up in your lifetime and beyond.
We understand it’s never something you want to think about – Not being here or leaving your loved ones. None of us do. But the simple truth is, to have full control of how your estate is handled after you die – including your wealth and assets, you need to have a plan. Proper planning means less of a burden on your loved ones and your wishes being followed.
A Will is something everyone needs, no matter what money, assets, possessions or your age.
If you have property, you are married, in a partnership or have children, making a Will is important and this can only be made whilst you are alive, it can be changed and updated through out your life but it is essential to have a Will even if you do not have anything to leave as your inheritance and any pension plans can be distributed according to your wishes.
We make sure your assets, no matter what you have, get the best chance of building wealth in your lifetime. And upon your death, we strive to make sure your family is supported, through expert planning today.
With Fairmont Law Solicitors you’re in safe hands.
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Your Personal Estate:
- Last Will & Testament
- Lasting power of Attorney
- Protective Will Property Trust
- Living Trust
- Probate and Estate Administration
Your Lifetime Wealth:
- Equity Release
- Guaranteed Over 50’s Life Insurance
- Family Protection
Through our independent in-house financial advisors, we cover Equity release, all insurance and protection plans.
Contact us today for a free no obligation quote: 0333 222 5014
What is a will and why do I need one?
A Will is a legally binding document and the only way to make sure your money, property, possessions and investments (known as your estate) go to the people and causes you care about.
This way you have full control of what happens to your assets after you die.
This way you also make any donation to the charity of your choice.
What happens if I die without a will?
Without a Will your assets will be divided according to the law, which may not meet your wishes.
If you’re married with children, your spouse may not automatically inherit everything you own. Instead, your assets may be divided between your spouse and your children. If you are unmarried your partner may not get any of your assets. If a property is in one person’s sole name, and he/she dies, the spouse will have difficulty having the property put in their sole name as the lender may have issues with this.
It is important to assess your situation and make sure what happens to your estate and hard work is exactly as you wish.
Do I need a solicitor to make a will?
There is no need for a will to be drawn up or witnessed by a solicitor. If you wish to make a will yourself, you can do so. However, you should only consider doing this if the will is going to be straightforward.
It is generally advisable to use a solicitor or to have a solicitor check a will you have drawn up to make sure it will have the effect you want. This is because it is easy to make mistakes and, if there are errors in the will, this can cause problems after your death.
If you’re answer to any of the following 5 questions are No then you need a legal expert to guide you in your planning and securing your family’s future.
- Have you made a correct Will?
- Have you got a Power of Attorney?
- Have you set up a Living Trust?
- Have you provided for Long Term Care?
- Have you set aside a Lump-Sum for your funeral arrangements?
What are the legal requirements for a valid will?
In order for a will to be valid, it must be:
- made by a person who is 18 years old or over and
- made voluntarily and without pressure from any other person and
- made by a person who is of sound mind. This means the person must be fully aware of the nature of the document being written or signed and aware of the property and the identity of the people who may inherit and
- in writing and
- signed by the person making the will in the presence of two witnesses and
- signed by the two witnesses, in the presence of the person making the will, after it has been signed.
A witness or the married partner of a witness cannot benefit from a will. If a witness is a beneficiary (or the married partner or civil partner of a beneficiary), the will is still valid but the beneficiary will not be able to inherit under the will.
Although it will be legally valid even if it is not dated, it is advisable to ensure that the will also include the date on which it is signed.
As soon as the will is signed and witnessed, it is complete.
If someone makes a will but it is not legally valid, on their death their estate will be shared out under certain rules, not according to the wishes expressed in the will.
How much does a Will cost?
| Will type | Fee (£) excl.VAT |
|---|---|
| Single Wills | 250.00 |
| Pair of Mirror Wills | 400.00 |
| Single Protective Trust Wills | 350.00 |
| Pair of Protective Trust Wills | 500.00 |
| Single Discretionary Trust Wills | 400.00 |
| Pair of Discretionary Trust Wills | 600.00 |
| Single Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) | 250.00 |
| Pair of Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPAs) | 400.00 |
| Standard Fee for Severance of Joint Tenancy | 350.00 |
| Secure Document Storage Annual Fee | 25.00 |
Please see our full price guide for more information.
Full price guideWhy choose Fairmont Law Solicitors?
We make sure your assets, no matter what you have, get the best chance of building wealth in your lifetime. And upon your death, we strive to make sure your family is supported, through expert planning today.
With Fairmont Law Solicitors you’re in safe hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I regularly update or change my will?
You can update and amend your Will at any time. While there is no limit to the number of codicils that can be added to a Will, they still need to be witnessed and signed in the same manner as Wills. If you have more than one or two minor changes, it’s generally recommended that you write a new Will.
Can I appoint guardians for my children in my will?
Parents with Parental Responsibility, which can include unmarried partners, can appoint a Legal Guardian for their children, in the event that they die whilst the child is under 18. Most choose to appoint a Legal Guardian through their Will, although it can be done outside of a Will.
Can I disinherit someone in my will?
Although people are completely within their rights to exclude individuals and even family members from their Wills, care must be taken when disinheriting as this can have serious consequences for the estate. You should seek legal advice before you do.
Can I include funeral wishes in my will?
There is no reason not to include your funeral wishes in your will, but along with the fact they are not legally binding, bear in mind that your family may have begun making funeral arrangements before your will has been retrieved, so any wishes may only be seen after the funeral has taken place.
Can I leave money to charity in my will?
You can leave anything you own to charity. There are no restrictions as to what can and can’t be left to charity in your will.
Request a consultation
We offer up to 15 minutes free initial consultation on all matters.
To contact our team, please call us or email us at info@fairmontsolicitors.co.uk..
If you would like us to contact you, please complete our enquiry form. Alternatively, you can book a meeting at a time convenient for you.
By submitting your details on this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Information on how we handle your data is in our Privacy Policy.