Wills Solicitors

Did you know that six out of ten people don’t have a Will? Without one, your estate will be distributed according to the law, which may not reflect your wishes or the needs of your loved ones. Our Intestacy Chart illustrates how this process works, helping you understand the importance of planning ahead.

At Warner Goodman, our Private Client Team offers a bespoke Will writing service tailored to your needs, giving you peace of mind that the future of your estate and loved ones is in safe hands.

Our Wills Services

Our friendly team is here to guide you through every step of the Will-making and estate planning process. We can help you ensure your wishes are clearly documented and your loved ones are protected.

We offer a range of services, including:

Making a new Will
Updating or amending an existing Will
Tax-efficient estate planning
Arranging Lasting Powers of Attorney

Our Will specialists are available in Southampton, Portsmouth, Fareham, Chandler's Ford, and Waterlooville. We can meet you at our offices, visit you at home, or hold consultations via phone or video call for your convenience.

Get started today - contact our Private Client Team on 01329 288121 or email enquiries@warnergoodman.co.uk to arrange your appointment and take the first step towards securing your legacy.

Why You Should Make a Will

Making a Will may feel daunting, but it is a crucial step to protect your loved ones and secure the future of your estate. Without a Will, your assets will be distributed according to intestacy rules, which may not reflect your wishes. For instance, your widow or widower may not inherit your entire estate, and other relatives could be entitled to a share, potentially creating financial hardship. Unmarried couples have no legal rights under intestacy rules unless a Will is in place. Additionally, government changes to intestacy rules can automatically alter how your estate is distributed, making it all the more important to have a Will in place.

Creating a Will is not only about financial planning. It allows you to make decisions about guardianship for your children, plan for tax efficiency, and ensure that specific items or personal belongings are left to the people you choose. Although thinking about death is uncomfortable, making a Will is cost-effective and can save considerable stress, expense, and heartache for your family later.

Good Reasons to Make a Will

Making a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are carried out. It gives you control over your estate and provides peace of mind for the future.

Some of the key benefits of making a Will include:

Deciding exactly who will benefit from your estate

Appointing guardians for your children and specifying at what age they should inherit

Choosing executors to administer your estate and ensure your wishes are followed

Making arrangements for specific items or sentimental possessions

Protecting your current wishes if you are divorced or separated

Including online accounts, digital assets, and social media in your estate planning

Certain types of Wills, such as Life Interest Trust Wills, can offer additional protection for your family’s inheritance and greater flexibility in planning.

Common Reasons People Delay Making a Will

Many people put off making a Will for reasons such as thinking, “I’ll get around to it eventually,” or feeling too busy to arrange an appointment. Others may be prompted after witnessing the difficulties a friend or family member faced without a Will. In our experience, clients are often pleasantly surprised at how straightforward the process is. Most find that the hardest step is simply making the initial appointment.

If you would like to discuss making a Will, please contact our Private Client Team today on 01329 288121. We would be happy to answer any questions and guide you through the process.

The Process of Making a Will

Making a Will with our team is straightforward and designed to be as simple and stress-free as possible. Once you decide to take the next step, here’s how the process works:

1.

Complete a Will Questionnaire – This helps us understand your assets, intended beneficiaries, and preferred executors.

2.

Consultation – We meet to discuss your wishes, either in one of our offices, at your home, or via phone or video call.

3.

Drafting Your Will – We prepare a draft Will for your review and make any necessary amendments to ensure it accurately reflects your wishes.

4.

Signing – Once you are happy with your Will, it is signed in the presence of two witnesses who are not beneficiaries or their partners.

5.

Secure Storage – Your Will is stored safely in our secure facility for future reference, giving you peace of mind.

With our guidance, you can be confident that your Will accurately reflects your wishes and protects your loved ones.

Choosing the Right Will

Different types of Wills can provide varying levels of protection for your estate and family. Our team can advise whether a standard Will or a Life Interest Trust Will is the best option for your circumstances. This type of Will can be particularly useful for protecting assets for children or ensuring that inheritance tax liabilities are minimised.

To start the process and for help choosing the right Will, please contact our Private Client Team on 01329 288121. We would be happy to guide you.

Why Work with Warner Goodman LLP

At Warner Goodman, we simplify the Will-making process. Our Private Client team has extensive experience helping clients craft Wills that reflect their exact wishes. We provide clear advice in plain English, avoiding legal jargon, and always put your needs first. Our specialists, Caroline Johnstone and Sue Nicholson, are members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE). The firm’s commitment to high standards has been recognised with Law Society Lexcel accreditation.

More reasons to choose Warner Goodman LLP for your Will:

Over 170 years of trusted legal experience

Five accessible offices across Hampshire

Successfully supported hundreds of people in writing and updating their Wills

Clear, upfront pricing from the start

Fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

Working with a solicitor ensures your Will is legally valid, accurately represents your wishes, and is tax-efficient. We can advise on complex matters such as choosing executors, appointing guardians, planning for dependent children, and incorporating digital assets or social media accounts.

Wills FAQs

What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document that details what you want to happen to your estate, property, and assets in the event of your death. In addition, a Will can be used to determine who will take care of any children or dependents you may have if you pass away.

For a Will to be legally binding in the UK, it must be signed by the person making the Will (the 'testator') and two witnesses (who must not be beneficiaries of the Will or their partners). The testator must have full knowledge of the contents of the Will and the mental capacity to understand the effects of the Will. The testator must also not have been under any undue influence or pressure when making their Will.

When making a Will with a solicitor at Warner Goodman, you don’t have to worry about ensuring your Will is legally valid. Our experienced Will-writing solicitors will take care of that for you and ensure that there can be no misinterpretations of your wishes.

Our solicitors can also help you to decide what type of Will you need and store your Will securely for your convenience.

What to consider when making a Will

People assume that making a Will is stressful and a lot of work; however, this is not the case. By making a Will with a solicitor at Warner Goodman, you will have access to all the support you need to navigate this process.

When writing a Will, there are several key things you will need to take into consideration, including:

• Choosing executors for your Will
• Who you would wish to benefit from your estate
• Inheritance tax planning
• Child arrangements and guardianship

Our team of Will-writing experts at Warner Goodman can support you in each of these and provide specialist Will-making advice to ensure your wishes are as clear and straightforward as possible.

Is it best to use a solicitor for a Will?

Although it is possible to create a Will yourself, making a Will with a solicitor can ensure that your exact needs are met in the event of your death. A solicitor can also help to:

• Prevent misinterpretations of your wishes
• Ensure your Will is legally valid
• Check you have covered everything you wanted to
• Make sure your Will has the desired effect
• Prevent errors in your Will that may cause disputes among your loved ones

Choosing the right Will-writing solicitor is essential to give you confidence that these matters have been handled correctly. Working with a Wills solicitor who is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) (such as those here at Warner Goodman) is a reliable way of ensuring the quality of the service you receive.

What is the cost of making a Will with one of our solicitors?

The amount you are charged for creating a Will depends heavily on your personal circumstances. A straightforward Will usually costs less than a complex Will that requires more time and attention from our team of Will writing solicitors.

We will be happy to discuss the cost of your Will with you and provide a clear quote that includes all costs, allowing you to make an informed decision.

Who should I have as Executors?

"My spouse/civil partner is an obvious choice, but who in the middle of bereavement wants to deal with tax forms, applications to the Court, and the endless paper chase with various asset holders."
"It's a family affair, so I want someone sympathetic and good with paper and figures."
"I own land, so two executors would be needed – maybe I'll select different individuals with the necessary skill mix."
"I have chosen my executors. But I also have children, so I need to appoint a Guardian."
"I need someone who can empathize with the children and ensure continuity at school, but I also need someone who is robust and will ensure funds are correctly applied. At least one of the executors should also be a guardian?"

These are all things you will need to consider. Choosing who to appoint as your Executors and guardians for your children is one of the most important decisions you will make. Visit our articles here to help you make the right choices:

• Who should I appoint as my Executor?
• Appointing Guardians in your Will

Are your wishes clear in your Will?

Having a Will is not only beneficial for your estate and children but also for ensuring your wishes are properly documented in several important areas:

• Funeral wishes – cremation or burial?
• Personal belongings – specific gifts to certain individuals
• Tax planning – understanding discretionary trust Wills, transferable nil rate bands, and inheritance tax implications
• Care planning – protecting family assets against care home fees where possible
• Residual estate – deciding who receives everything that’s left and setting age conditions for children (18, 21, or 25)

Our Will writing solicitors in our Private Client team will be happy to advise you on any of these issues to help ensure that your wishes are absolutely clear.

Is your estate tax efficient?

Our team of Will solicitors can discuss the amount of inheritance tax that may be levied on your property and other assets in the event of your death. We will ensure that your Will is as tax-efficient as possible, helping you to protect your estate for your loved ones.

Do you have dependent children you need to plan for?

Making arrangements for your children in the event of your death is essential. If your children are still dependent on you, your Will can state who you wish to take care of them if the worst happens.

Our team of Will writing solicitors in our Private Client team understands how complex this decision can be, but will work with you to ensure that your children are cared for in the way you wish.

Can I write my own Will in the UK?

Yes, in the UK you are able to write your own Will, provided that you are at least 18 years old, make the Will voluntarily, and are of sound mind. Formal requirements include having the Will in writing and signed by yourself in the presence of two witnesses, who must then also sign it in your presence.

Nonetheless, it is very easy to make mistakes in your Will that could lead to it becoming invalid or misinterpreted. Our professional Will-writing service gives you peace of mind, ensuring your wishes are clearly expressed and legally enforceable.