Wills, Trust & Probate
Solicitor-led advice for wills, probate, trusts, estate planning, LPAs and Islamic wills across England and Wales.
How we can help
Our private client team provides sensitive and expert advice on wills, trusts, probate, and estate planning. We help families plan for the future and navigate difficult times with compassion and professionalism.
Reviewed by Julie Ashley, Director & Solicitor. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Relevant expertise: Residential Conveyancing, Commercial Conveyancing, Estate Planning, Administration of Trusts and Estates.
Our Services
- Will drafting and estate planning
- Trust creation and administration
- Probate and estate administration
- Inheritance tax planning
- Court of Protection matters
- Lasting powers of attorney
Specialised Services
Will Writing
Professional will drafting services to ensure your wishes are properly documented and legally binding.
Probate
Expert probate and estate administration services during difficult times.
Trust Administration
Comprehensive trust services including creation, administration, and tax planning.
Court of Protection
Specialist Court of Protection services for those lacking mental capacity.
Estate Planning
Comprehensive estate planning services to protect and transfer wealth efficiently across generations.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Expert Lasting Power of Attorney services for property, financial, and health and welfare decisions.
Inheritance Disputes
Expert representation in inheritance disputes including will challenges, family provision claims, and estate administration disputes.
Charitable Giving & Philanthropy
Specialized legal services for charitable giving, philanthropy, and charitable trust management.
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Wills, Trust & Probate enquiryDetailed Information
Estate Planning and Family Protection
Will Writing
A well-drafted will is the foundation of effective estate planning. We help you create wills that clearly express your wishes, minimize potential disputes, and ensure your assets are distributed according to your intentions. Our team ensures your will is legally valid and regularly updated to reflect changing circumstances.
Trust Planning
Trusts can be powerful tools for protecting assets, reducing tax liabilities, and providing for future generations. We help you understand when trusts are appropriate and create structures that meet your specific needs and objectives.
Probate and Estate Administration
Probate Process
We guide families through the probate process, handling all necessary paperwork and legal requirements. This includes obtaining grants of probate, valuing assets, settling debts, and distributing the estate according to the will or intestacy rules.
Estate Administration
Our comprehensive estate administration service covers all aspects of managing an estate, from initial assessment to final distribution. We work closely with families to ensure the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible during a difficult time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Help Guides
Preparing for Will Writing
Essential steps to take before meeting with a solicitor to write or update your will.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1Make a list of all your assets including property, investments, and personal belongings
- 2Consider who you want to benefit from your estate and in what proportions
- 3Think about who you would like to appoint as executors of your will
- 4Consider guardianship arrangements for any minor children
- 5Review any existing wills or estate planning documents
- 6Think about any specific bequests or charitable gifts you want to make
- 7Consider inheritance tax implications and planning opportunities
- 8Gather information about any trusts or complex assets you own
Helpful Tips
- Be specific about your wishes to avoid potential disputes
- Consider the impact of your decisions on family relationships
- Think about the practical aspects of your chosen executors
- Keep your will in a safe place and tell your executors where it is
Important Warnings
- Don't delay will writing - you never know what might happen
- Don't try to write your own will without legal advice
- Don't forget to update your will after major life changes
- Be careful about making changes to your will without proper legal advice
What to Do When Someone Dies
A step-by-step guide to the immediate steps and longer-term processes following a death.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1Register the death and obtain death certificates
- 2Locate the will and any other important documents
- 3Contact the deceased's solicitor or find a probate solicitor
- 4Secure the deceased's property and valuables
- 5Notify relevant organizations (banks, insurance companies, etc.)
- 6Apply for probate or letters of administration
- 7Value the estate and calculate any inheritance tax due
- 8Distribute the estate according to the will or intestacy rules
Helpful Tips
- Don't rush into major decisions during the immediate aftermath
- Keep detailed records of all expenses and transactions
- Seek professional advice early in the process
- Be prepared for the process to take several months
Important Warnings
- Don't distribute assets until probate is granted
- Don't ignore inheritance tax obligations
- Don't make assumptions about the will or estate distribution
- Be careful about dealing with joint assets
Additional Information
Our Process
Our estate planning process begins with a detailed consultation to understand your circumstances and objectives. We then provide tailored advice on will writing, trust planning, and tax-efficient strategies. For probate matters, we guide families through the entire process with sensitivity and efficiency, handling all legal requirements while keeping you informed throughout.
Timeline
Will writing typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on complexity. Probate and estate administration usually takes 6-12 months, though simple estates may be completed more quickly. We provide realistic timelines at the outset and keep you updated on progress throughout the process.
Costs & Fees
We provide clear, upfront pricing for will writing and estate planning services. All our legal fees exclude VAT. Probate costs depend on the complexity of the estate and are typically paid from the estate funds. We discuss all costs at the outset and ensure you understand what's included in our fees.
What You'll Need
- Details of all assets and their approximate values
- Information about family members and beneficiaries
- Names of proposed executors and guardians
- Any existing wills or estate planning documents
- Details of any trusts or complex assets
- Information about debts and liabilities
- Any specific wishes or bequests
- Previous legal correspondence or advice
Pricing & Service Information
Our Legal Fees
£250 - £5,000+ VAT
Depending on service type and estate complexity
Our legal fee range above excludes VAT. VAT at 20% is added to our legal fees. The examples below show legal fees including VAT, with the net fee and VAT breakdown. Applicable disbursements and taxes are additional and are set out separately in your estimate.
Additional Costs (Disbursements)
These are costs paid to third parties on your behalf:
Probate application fee
Probate application fee for an estate over £5,000; no application fee for an estate of £5,000 or less. Extra copies cost £2 each when applying or £16 each afterwards. Separate from our legal fees.
Statutory notices(Required)
Legal notices in London Gazette and local newspaper
Estate valuation reports
Professional property or asset valuations if required
LPA registration fee
Per Lasting Power of Attorney document
Combined LPA registration fee
Registration fee for two Lasting Power of Attorney documents
What's Included
- Initial consultation and advice
- Preparation of all legal documents
- Liaising with relevant parties and institutions
- Court applications where required
- Asset collection and distribution
- Tax returns and compliance
- Regular updates throughout the process
What's Not Included
- Inheritance Tax (payable to HMRC)
- Estate agent fees for property sales
- Professional valuation fees
- Accountancy fees if required
- Storage fees for valuable items
Typical Timescales
Varies by service - Simple wills: 2-3 weeks | Probate: 6-12 months
Probate timescales depend on estate complexity, asset types, tax requirements, and court processing times
Key Stages of Your Matter
Initial Consultation
We understand your situation and requirements, provide initial advice
Document Preparation
Wills, LPAs, or probate documents prepared and reviewed with you
Asset Investigation (Probate)
Identifying and valuing all estate assets, obtaining documentation
Grant Application (Probate)
Submitting probate application, dealing with HMRC, obtaining Grant
Estate Administration
Collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, distributing to beneficiaries
Completion & Accounts
Final distributions made, estate accounts prepared and approved
Example Pricing Scenarios
Simple Will (single person)
Straightforward will with standard provisions
£300-£480 including VAT at 20% (£250-£400 net fees plus £50-£80 VAT); applicable disbursements and taxes additional
Mirror Wills (couple)
Paired wills for married couple or civil partners
£480-£720 including VAT at 20% (£400-£600 net fees plus £80-£120 VAT); applicable disbursements and taxes additional
Probate (straightforward estate under £250k)
Estate with property and standard assets, no inheritance tax
£3,600-£5,400 including VAT at 20% (£3,000-£4,500 net fees plus £600-£900 VAT); applicable disbursements and taxes additional
Probate (complex estate over £250k)
Estate with multiple assets, inheritance tax, complex arrangements
£6,000-£9,600+ including VAT at 20% (£5,000-£8,000+ net fees plus £1,000-£1,600+ VAT); applicable disbursements and taxes additional
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Why clients choose us
Experienced advice. Clear next steps.
Gardner Champion Solicitors Ltd provides advice for Wills, Trust & Probate. We’ll explain your options, likely costs and next steps.
- Experienced private client lawyers
- Sensitive and personal service
- Tax-efficient planning strategies
- Comprehensive estate administration
Speak to our team
Tell us what you need help with. We’ll explain your options and the next steps.
Know the costs
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Gardner Champion Solicitors Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
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