Frequently Asked Questions

There is no legal requirement to have a Will in place, however it is advisable to put one in place. This is the only way to ensure that your loved ones will benefit from your hard work and assets you have built up in your lifetime.

By making a will this can ensure:-

• Your hard earned assets are passed to whom you would like to inherit them. If you do not make a will then you could inadvertently leave assets to estranged relatives or the government.
• Your children are looked after by whom you would like to bring them up, by appointing legal guardians.
• Incorporate trusts to ensure that assets are accessible in a way you would like the beneficiary to receive them.
• Reduce Inheritance Tax (IHT) payable upon your estate.
• Your wishes are clearly written in a document. This could ensure there are no arguments over your estate.
• If you were to ask your partner what song you would want playing at your funeral do you think they would know? With a Will you can ensure your funeral plans are incorporated.

In short No. By all means you can see a solicitor to write your Will however this may cost more than a Will writing professional.

This is no problem at all. It is very important to ensure your Will reflects your current wishes. If you need to make any amendments then please get in touch with the team at AHJ Wills & Estates.

This all depends upon the complexity of the Will. We can provide Wills from a little as £120.

There are 2 types of Lasting Power of Attorney. There is one for health and welfare and one for finance and property.

Health and Welfare – This would allow your nominated agent to make day to day care decisions on your behalf should you have lost mental capacity to do so yourself.

Finance and Property – This would allow your nominated agent the legal authority to manage your financial affairs on your behalf, should you have lost mental capacity to do so yourself.

If this is the case, then it is likely that the court of protection would be involved. The court of protection would conduct an assessment of your mental capacity and if the court deems fit, they would appoint a deputy. The deputy may not be someone you would have wanted to be making what could be huge decisions.

Yes. Your spouse does not have automatic rights to manage your finances or make medical decisions on your behalf unless you’ve appointed them through an LPA.

The Property & Financial Affairs LPA can be used with your permission or if you lose capacity. The Health & Welfare LPA only applies if you lose capacity.

Yes. You can appoint multiple attorneys to act jointly, separately or a mixture of both depending on your preferences.

This trust allows you to leave your share of the family home to a beneficiary, while giving someone else the right to live in the property for life.

A Life Interest Trust gives someone the right to use or benefit from an asset (like income or property) during their lifetime, with the capital passing to others when they die.

In some cases, yes. Certain trusts can form part of wider inheritance tax planning. We can advise you on what’s suitable based on your circumstances.

If there’s no Will, the estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy. A close family member will need to apply for Letters of Administration.

This depends on the size and complexity of the estate. On average, probate can take between 6 and 12 months to complete.

Not always. If the estate is small or owned jointly, probate may not be required. We can help you assess what’s needed.

Yes. We believe estate planning is best handled in person. We offer face-to-face meetings in a relaxed and private setting.

Yes. We are proud members of The Society of Will Writers, which sets high standards for professional conduct and ongoing training.

We offer clear, fixed-fee pricing tailored to your needs. Please contact us for a free consultation and quote based on your individual requirements.