Wills
Tailored will-writing service to protect the people you love
Writing a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your estate is distributed exactly as you choose.
Our specialist Wills solicitors have guided thousands of clients through the process of making, reviewing and updating their Wills, from straightforward single Wills to complex arrangements involving business interests, overseas assets or blended families. We provide a clear, personal Will writing service designed around your circumstances, whether you are writing a Will for the first time, updating an existing one, or navigating a complex family or financial situation. Use our Intestacy Flowcharts to find who may inherit in different situations if a loved one passes away without leaving a Will.
We explain your options in plain English, help you make informed decisions, and draft a Will that is legally sound and clearly reflects your wishes.
Making a Will does not have to be complicated. We are here to make it straightforward.
about us
Wills and Estate Planning Explained
A Will is a legally binding document that sets out how you would like your estate, your property, finances, possessions and other assets to be managed and distributed after your death.
Without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed under intestacy rules, which follow a fixed legal order and may not reflect your actual wishes. Unmarried partners, stepchildren and close friends would receive nothing, while a separated spouse could inherit by default.
A Will also allows you to appoint executors to administer your estate, name guardians for any dependent children, and include instructions for specific gifts or charitable donations.
Where a Will forms part of broader planning, it works alongside other arrangements such as Lasting Powers of Attorney and trusts and tax planning. Our estate planning team can advise on how best to structure these together to protect your family and minimise tax.
Is a Will needed
Do You Need a Will?
If you have assets, dependants or specific wishes about what should happen after your death, you should have a Will.
Without one:
- Your estate will be distributed under intestacy rules, which may not benefit the people you care about most
- Unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit, regardless of the length of their relationship
- Stepchildren and close friends are excluded entirely
- A separated spouse could inherit from your estate
- Decisions about your children’s guardianship may be left to the courts
Even in apparently straightforward situations, a professionally drafted Will provides clarity, avoids disputes and protects the people who matter to you.
If your estate includes property or business interests, it is also worth considering how your Will works alongside trusts and Inheritance Tax planning to minimise the tax burden on your estate.
We can help you understand what you need and make the process simple.
What to Expect
What to Expect When Making a Will
Our will-writing service is designed to be clear and straightforward from the first conversation to the final signature. You will need to have in mind the full names and addresses of your chosen executors, guardians and beneficiaries, along with details of any specific gifts and a general picture of your estate. We will meet with you in person at our York or London offices, or by video call, whichever suits you. Once your Will is drafted and approved, you will need to sign the original in the presence of two witnesses. We can arrange this at either office, or post the document to you for signing at home.
All Wills made through Roche Legal include free secure storage as standard. We will register your Will with Certainty, the UK’s national Will register, so your representatives can locate it quickly when needed. Once your Will is in place, you may also wish to consider whether a Lasting Power of Attorney is appropriate, to ensure someone you trust can manage your affairs should you lose capacity in the future.