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The articles linked on this site contain a vast amount of useful information across the whole scope of estate planning.
Please take a look at our frequently asked questions below, which contain links to suggested articles that will provide you with the answers to those questions.
Can't find what you are looking for below? Then just email us or call us with your question on 01945 754377.
Wills & Estate Planning
Q. Why isn’t a simple Will always enough?
Many standard Wills leave families exposed to risks people never see coming, including sideways disinheritance.
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Q. Are Mirror Wills safe for married couples?
Mirror Wills are popular and simple, but they can create serious risks in some family situations.
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Q. How often should I review my Will?
Life changes constantly; marriages, grandchildren, property, relationships and finances can all affect whether your Will still works as intended.
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Q. What happens if I die without a Will?
Without a Will, the law decides who inherits your estate — and the outcome may not reflect your wishes.
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Family & Relationships
Q. What are the risks for blended families?
Second marriages and blended families often create unintended inheritance risks if planning is not carefully structured.
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Q. Is there really such a thing as a “common law spouse”?
No. In England and Wales, unmarried couples do not have the legal protection many people assume.
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Q. Why do families fall out over inheritance?
Disputes usually begin with misunderstandings, surprises, or unclear planning rather than greed alone.
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Q. Can someone challenge my Will after I die?
Yes — Will disputes are becoming more common, especially in modern blended families.
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Q. How can I make sure the right people would raise my children if I died?
The best way is to formally appoint guardians within your Will. This allows you to legally state who you would want to care for your children if both parents were to die before they reach adulthood. Without clear guardianship provisions, the decision could potentially be left to the courts.
A Will can also help ensure that any money or property left for your children is managed by trusted people until they are old enough to deal with it responsibly.
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Guardianship: Who Would Raise Your Children If You Couldn't?
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The Problem With DIY Wills: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt Your Family
Q. Can I appoint someone other than my child’s surviving parent as guardian?
In many cases, a surviving parent with parental responsibility would normally continue to care for a child automatically. However, there are situations where parents may have concerns about this and wish to explore their legal options carefully.
A properly drafted Will can still play an important role in expressing wishes, appointing substitute guardians, and creating protective trust arrangements for children.
Because these situations can be legally and emotionally complex, specialist advice is important.
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Q. Can I protect my children’s inheritance if they later divorce?
Potentially, yes. If assets are left outright to children, they may become vulnerable to claims during divorce proceedings, bankruptcy, remarriage, or other future financial difficulties.
Certain types of trusts can help keep family assets better protected across generations while still allowing your children to benefit from them.
This area of planning is often referred to as “bloodline planning” or “asset protection planning” and is becoming increasingly important for many families.
Executors & Decision Makers
Q. What does an executor actually do?
Being an executor involves legal responsibility, paperwork, and sometimes complex family communication.
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Q. How can I help my executors understand my wishes?
A Letter of Wishes can guide executors and trustees and help prevent misunderstandings after death.
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Property & Inheritance Tax
Q. Should I add my children to my house deeds?
This commonly suggested shortcut can create unexpected legal, tax and family risks.
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Q. Does inheritance tax only affect wealthy people?
Not anymore. Rising property prices and frozen tax thresholds mean more ordinary families are affected every year.
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Q. What happens to the family home when someone dies?
The answer depends on how the property is owned and what your Will says.
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Q. Can I reduce inheritance tax through my Will?
Potentially, yes. A carefully planned Will can help ensure that available inheritance tax allowances and reliefs are used as effectively as possible.
Depending on your circumstances, planning may involve trusts, gifts, business or agricultural reliefs, charitable giving, or ensuring assets pass in the most tax-efficient way between family members.
Good estate planning is not only about what happens after death, but also about structuring things properly during your lifetime.
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The Estate Planning Red Flags I Look For, So You Don’t Have To
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New Year, Old Will? Why Your Estate Plan Deserves a Fresh Look
Q. Can I help protect my children from inheritance tax in the future?
Yes, in some circumstances estate planning can help reduce not only your own inheritance tax exposure, but also the future tax burden faced by your children or grandchildren.
Many people leave assets outright to the next generation, which can unintentionally increase the size of their children’s estates for inheritance tax purposes later on.
Certain trust structures can sometimes help preserve family wealth across generations while still allowing flexibility and access where needed.
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Modern Estate Planning
Q. What happens to my online accounts after I die?
From email accounts to cloud storage and social media, your digital life now forms an important part of estate planning.
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Q. Why should families talk openly about estate planning?
Many disputes arise simply because nobody discussed expectations while there was still time.
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Funeral & Later Life Planning
Q. Should I leave funeral instructions?
Even simple guidance can bring huge comfort and clarity to loved ones after a death.
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Q. How can I help my family prepare for later life decisions?
Estate planning is not just about death — it also helps families manage illness, frailty and future care needs more smoothly.
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Can't find what you are looking for below? Then just email us or call us with your question on 01945 754377.