Making it easier for the loved ones you leave behind
Whether you feel your needs are straightforward or that you may require specialist advice, our professional and friendly team of Wills and probate solicitors will take a sympathetic and personal approach to helping you.
Both making a Will and going through probate can be emotionally taxing. One concerns being prepared for death and the other means dealing with it.
But no matter how difficult the process is, it is important to do things right.
Making a Will means your loved ones are provided for after you’re no longer here. It is important that your Will keeps pace with the changes in life and also that it represents your true intentions to avoid anguish for your loved ones at a later date.
Probate is the process of wrapping up a friend or relative’s final affairs making sure their wishes are respected.
At WSP Solicitors, we have a friendly and highly experienced team of Wills, trusts and probate lawyers who are on hand to help you. You can trust us to provide practical, sensitive legal advice, as well as a source of emotional support if things become too much.
We offer home visits if it is more convenient for you, and we appreciate it is important to take the time to understand your wishes and to discuss and advise you on all the options available to you.
Get in touch with our Wills & probate solicitors
Rely on us to help you out during this difficult time. Whether you’re planning for the future or settling someone’s final affairs, we can provide all the assistance you need.
Give us a call at your local branch in Gloucester or Stroud or fill in our online enquiry form for a quick response.
We can help you through the toughest times of your life
We understand that after a death family tensions may rise due to a number of different reasons. Our team will provide you with sympathetic, professional advice aimed at making your situation less stressful and complicated.
Whether you are creating a Will, applying for a grant of probate or you have suspicions over how a Will was prepared, our comprehensive services can assist you at a time when you need it most.
How our Wills, trusts and probate lawyers can help
Making a Will and planning for the future
Making a Will isn’t just the best way to pass on your money and property to the next generation (although that’s the main reason people make Wills). Writing a Will also means you can:
- Take steps to reduce Inheritance Tax, increasing the amount your loved ones can inherit.
- Provide for unmarried partners and stepchildren (who cannot inherit if you die intestate)
- Appoint executors you trust to handle your final affairs.
- Appoint guardians for your children in case you die before they turn 18.
- Make trusts to control how assets are inherited or used, or to set aside money for children and vulnerable loved ones.
- Set out your funeral wishes (your executors can’t be forced to follow them, but it gives them guidance)
- Avoid Will and inheritance disputes after you die – if you set out your wishes clearly in writing, there’s less scope for your family to argue over them.
Our Will solicitors can provide all the advice you need to make a detailed Will. We’ll ask lots of questions to help you think through all possible scenarios, including many that may not have occurred to you otherwise.
The finished document will be a clear reflection of your wishes that your loved ones can use to handle your final affairs after you die.
We can also store your Will and help you update it throughout your life, so it is easy to find and always reflects your most up-to-date wishes.
Probate and estate administration
When someone dies, you need time to process and grieve. However, there’s many legal and administrative matters to sort through that can make this sad time even harder. Most deaths must go through the probate process so the deceased’s final affairs can be wrapped up.
If this task has fallen to you (or you want to take it on because your loved one died without leaving a Will), we are here to help.
Our probate lawyers can take on as much or as little of the estate administration as you need us to, from providing advice about the steps you need to take, to handling the entire process on your behalf.
We always approach probate matters with sensitivity and respect, with the goal of helping you through with as little stress as possible.
How much does probate cost?
We’re committed to ensuring that we provide you with full and transparent information about the costs of our services from the start. We keep our costs carefully under review and endeavour to ensure that what you pay us fully reflects the value and service you’ve received.
A full breakdown of our costs for Estate Administration can be viewed here.
Why should I use WSP for your Will or for probate services?
Our clients tell us that we’re understanding and efficient and have helped them through some of the toughest times of their lives. We request feedback from all our clients and are proactive in tailoring our services to make sure we’re giving people the best service we possibly can.
We are accredited by the Law Society in Wills & Inheritance Quality for our independently recognised skills in this practice area.
Our Wills, Trusts and Probate team is led by Kirstie Carr, a solicitor with over 15 years’ experience.
Within our team we have several members of Solicitors for the Elderly, an organisation dedicated to connecting older people with the right solicitor for their legal issue. This means we have particular experience supporting older people make a Will or go through the probate process.
Our team also includes several members of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) which is a vital qualification for specialists in this area. It signifies our expertise helping clients with inheritance and succession planning matters.
How long does it take to make a Will?
This depends on the particular service we’re providing and it’s important that we fully understand your situation. We aim to provide you with a draft Will for you to consider within 5 working days of seeing you.
The timescale for administering a deceased’s estate can vary but we are committed to providing the most efficient service possible and will always keep you fully updated.
How much does it cost to make a Will?
The costs to make a Will with WSP Solicitors are detailed below, with an option to fit any circumstances.
Single Will or codicil: £400
Pair of mirror Wills or codicils: £600
Single complex trust Will: £750
Pair of mirror complex trust Wills: £995
Home Visits within 10 miles of a branch: £75 per return trip
Home Visits over 10 miles from a branch: 50% of legal practitioner hourly rate
All of the above charges are exclusive of VAT and disbursements
Extra fees will apply for ID verification.
The basic charges set out above are for straightforward Wills involving no complication and no requirement for advice on tax implications which can reasonably be completed at or following a single meeting. If more time is required, we reserve the right to increase our fees to take account of the extra time required based on our normal charging rates.
What is the STEP Code for Will Preparation in England and Wales?
The STEP Code is a set of principles that aim for STEP members to benefit clients through applying ethical standards and demonstrating honesty and transparency. View a copy of the Code here.
Does WSP have any standards or procedures for vulnerable clients?
Yes. We have a Vulnerable Client Care Procedure, which can be viewed here.
What should I do next?
Contact us! We’re here and ready to help you and can meet at a place convenient for you, such as your home or our offices.
Speak to our Wills, trusts and probate solicitors in Gloucestershire
For expert advice, please contact your local WSP branch in Gloucester or Stroud today.
