WILLS, TRUSTS, LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY (LPA)
Will writing services in our Swindon or Witney office.
wills, trusts, probate solicitor
Will Writing Services, Trusts, Lasting Power of Attorney, Deputyships
Will Writing Services and Power of Attorney
Our private client department based in Swindon and Witney are very experienced in preparing bespoke Wills and applying for Lasting Power of Attorney, with very little notice.
Will Writing Services: If you want to make a Will, we can do home and hospital visits. We can offer will writing services Swindon and will writing services Witney, dependent on your location. Please read our frequently asked questions here.
A Will is a cost-effective way of ensuring that upon your death, your assets are dealt with as per your wishes as well as helping to limit any inheritance tax liability.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a document that allows a trusted person or persons to make decisions on your behalf should you become unable to.
Health LPA: Allows decisions to be made about your health.
Finances LPA: Allows decisions to be made about your finances.
Deputyship: If there is no LPA in place and a loved one loses capacity to make their own decisions, we can deal with The Court of Protection on your behalf.
Trusts
Trusts are a way of managing assets (money, investments, land or buildings) for the benefit of people. There are different types of trusts and they are taxed differently compared to if an individual holds the assets.
We will always look beyond the Will we are asked to prepare, and investigate whether any inheritance tax issues arise. We have access to excellent Independent Financial Advice to help mitigate any potential liability.
We also offer a free storage facility to give you peace of mind about where your Will or Lasting Power of Attorney is.
FAQs
-
A will is a legal document stating how your money, property and possessions should be distributed after your death. It must be written, clearly identified as a will, and signed by you in the presence of two witnesses.
-
Your will should set out:
who you want to benefit from your will
who should look after any children under 18
who is going to sort out your estate and carry out your wishes after your death (your executor)
what happens if the people you want to benefit die before you
-
They can be drafted quickly if needed. But will only be valid if
You are over 18
You write it voluntarily
You are of sound mind
It is signed by you
It is witnessed by two independent adults who are present at the same time
Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries or married to beneficiaries
-
Your estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy, which may result in assets going to relatives you did not intend to benefit.
-
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more people - called attorneys - to make decisions on your behalf if you ever become unable to make them yourself.
-
Health and Welfare LPA
Covers decisions about:
Medical treatment
Daily care (washing, eating, routines)
Where you live
Life-sustaining treatment
Property and Financial Affairs LPA
Covers decisions about:
Managing bank accounts
Paying bills
Selling property
Handling investments
-
Probate is the legal authority to deal with someone’s estate after they die. It allows the executor to access bank accounts, sell property, and distribute assets.
-
Executors are the people named in your will who are legally responsible for administering your estate - paying debts, collecting assets, and distributing inheritances. A close relative, friend or even your solicitor can act as your executor.
-
While timelines vary, the process typically takes several months. Delays often occur due to property sales, tax issues, or disputes.
-
You must check whether probate is needed, confirm eligibility, and determine if Inheritance Tax is due. Applications are made online or by post via the Probate Registry.
-
The cost of applying for the grant of probate is £300 unless the estate is worth less than £500. If you have asked a solicitor to carry out the work they will estimate costs for you at the start of the matter and these can be deducted from the final value of the estate.
Meet the team
For a full guide to costs and the services included in our fees please consult our Fees Page. Alternatively you can contact the firm and ask for a full costs estimate.
“We approached FGSA to prepare our Power of Attorney documents and the whole process was easy from beginning to end with all options explained clearly and without unnecessary legal jargon. The appointment to sign the documents was scheduled outside of office hours for our convenience - nothing was too much trouble. A friendly and thorough Legal Practice to deal with - we would highly recommend them.”
Swindon