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A House of Lords committee is pressing the Government over stalled Will reform, including electronic Wills. Here is what the law says today in England and Wales - and why the best move is still a properly made Will now.

If you have children, your Will can answer the question that matters most: who would raise them if you could not. How guardianship appointments work in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and how to choose well.

Between the venue, the guest list and the budget, a Will is rarely on the wedding checklist. It probably should be. Where you live in the UK decides what marriage does to a Will you already have. England and Wales: marriage usually cancels your Will In England and Wales, a Will is revoked by the person's marriage or civil partnership. GOV.UK says it plainly: getting married cancels any Will you made before. This surprises people. A Will made years ago, even one you reviewed l

Keeping your Will safe is only half the job. A clear, private record of where the original is held can help the people you have chosen know where to start.

The person you appoint may one day help decide where you live and how you are cared for. Choose with care, record what matters to you, and know how concerns can be raised.

Think about how much of your life now sits behind a screen: family photos, email, cloud files, subscriptions, social profiles, online shops and perhaps cryptocurrency. Would someone you trust know that these accounts exist? Would they know what you wanted to happen to them? Or would they have to search through devices and paperwork at an already difficult time? A Will remains an important part of planning. But it is not the right place for a changing list of passwords. A safe

Children's Inheritance Most parents want to make sure their children are provided for. But without the right planning, the money you leave behind might not reach them in the way you intended — or at all. The problem with assumptions When parents think about leaving money to their children, they tend to picture a straightforward transfer: they die, their children inherit, and the money is there for them when they need it. The reality is more complicated. Without careful

Lasting Power of Attorney Most people assume that if something happened to them, their family would automatically be able to step in and help. They can't. Here's what you need to know. The assumption It's completely natural to assume that if you were in an accident, developed dementia, or became seriously ill and could no longer manage your own affairs, your spouse, children, or closest relatives would be able to take over. Pay your bills. Access your bank account. Make d

Unmarried Couples Millions of couples in the UK believe they have legal rights they simply don't have. Here's the truth — and what to do about it. The myth Ask most people what a "common law spouse" is, and they'll tell you: a partner you've lived with for long enough that the law treats you like a married couple. It sounds reasonable. It feels fair. And it is completely, dangerously wrong. There is no such thing as common law marriage in England or Scotland. It has n

10 Reasons You Need A Will It's one of the most common questions we hear — and the honest answer is: probably yes. Here's how to know for certain. Most people know they should have a will. Most people also don't have one. In the UK, fewer than half of adults have made a will, and the most common reason given is some version of "I'll get round to it eventually." The problem is that eventually sometimes never comes. And the people who pay the price are the ones left behind.

Inheritance Rules Scotland and England have two completely different sets of rules for what happens to your estate if you die without a will. If you live near the border, have family on both sides, or have ever moved between the two countries, this matters more than you might think. Why the rules are so different Scotland has its own legal system, entirely separate from the law of England and Wales. Scottish succession law has its roots in Roman law and has developed inde

Scotland Scottish succession law is unlike anything south of the border. If you live in Scotland and don't have a will, the rules that govern your estate are older, more layered — and often more surprising — than most people expect. The legal term is "dying intestate” If you die without a valid will in Scotland, you are said to have died intestate. Your estate — your home, savings, possessions, and everything else you leave behind — is then distributed not according to yo

Dying intestate It's a question most people push to the back of their minds. But the answer might surprise you — and it could have serious consequences for the people you love most. The legal term is "dying intestate" If you die without a valid will in England, you are said to have died intestate. This means the law — not you — decides what happens to everything you've worked for: your home, your savings, your possessions, and everything else you leave behind. The rules

Inheritance Tax Recent proposals reported by the Financial Times have highlighted a major shift in how unused pension pots may be treated for inheritance tax purposes from 2027 onwards. The changes could have significant implications for families, executors, and beneficiaries — and may lead to difficult disputes if proper planning is not in place. At Your Wills Team, we believe these developments underline the importance of clear estate planning, properly drafted wills, and

Planning for the future often feels like something to do later in life. Many people think about Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) only when they are older or facing health issues. But waiting until old age can cause problems for you and your loved ones. I want to share why setting up an LPA early is a smart move and how it can protect you and your family. What Is a Lasting Power of Attorney and Why It Matters A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you choo

Planning for the future is something many of us put off. Yet, having a will in place is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and your assets. Thanks to technology, creating a will has never been easier. Online will writing services offer a convenient, accessible way to get your affairs in order without leaving your home. In this post, I’ll share practical advice and clear guidance on how to use these services effectively. Whether you’re writ

Planning for the future can feel overwhelming. Writing a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and your assets. But where do you start? Choosing the right will writing service in the UK can make the process simple, clear, and stress-free. I want to share some insights about the best options available, so you can feel confident about your choices. Why You Need a Professional Will Writing Service Many people think writing a will is co

Planning for the future means making sure your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected. Most people think about writing a will to decide who gets their belongings after they pass away. But there is another legal tool that can be even more important while you are still alive: a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). An LPA lets you choose someone you trust to make decisions for you if you lose the ability to do so yourself. This can happen because of illness, injury,

Planning for your children’s future is one of the most important things you can do. You want to make sure they are protected and provided for, even if something unexpected happens to you. One way to do this is through a trust for children. Trusts can be a powerful tool to manage and safeguard assets for your kids until they are ready to handle them on their own. In this post, I will explain what trusts for children are, why they are needed, and how they work. I will also shar

Generational Wealth Building a successful property portfolio is no small achievement. For many individuals and couples, it represents decades of hard work, careful decision-making, and long-term vision. What happens to all of this when you’re gone? We recently worked with a retired couple who had built a substantial property portfolio in both the UK and overseas. With a blended family, they wanted to protect their assets, ensure fairness, and create long-term financial securi