Frequently Asked Questions

We work to a fixed fee, agreed in writing before any work begins, so you know exactly what you are paying. Single wills, mirror wills for couples and more complex wills with trust provisions are all available — please get in touch or call us for a quote tailored to your situation.

Your estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules of England and Wales. These rules are rigid and often very far from what people expect — for instance, an unmarried partner inherits nothing, regardless of how long you have lived together.

Yes — small changes can be made by a codicil (a supplementary document). Larger changes or several small changes are usually better dealt with by drafting a new will. We'll quote a fixed fee for either, agreed in writing before we start.

Yes, in a fire-proof, waterproof commercial storage facility. There is a small one-off charge and your executors receive clear retrieval instructions.

Absolutely, and it is one of the most tax-efficient gifts you can make. Gifts to UK registered charities are completely exempt from inheritance tax, and leaving more than 10% of your estate to charity can reduce the IHT rate on the rest.

Two near-identical wills for a couple, each leaving everything to the other and then on to the same chosen beneficiaries (usually children). It is the most common kind of will for married and cohabiting couples.

Anyone over 18 who has mental capacity. Most people appoint a spouse, adult child, sibling or close friend. You can appoint more than one attorney, and decide whether they must act jointly or can act independently.

A Property & Financial Affairs LPA covers your money and property. A Health & Welfare LPA covers decisions about your medical treatment, care and where you live. They are separate documents and most people put both in place.

A Property & Financial LPA can be used as soon as it is registered, with your consent, even while you still have capacity. A Health & Welfare LPA can only be used once you have lost the capacity to make a particular decision yourself.

A simple estate with no IHT and no property to sell is usually wrapped up in around six months. An estate with property, IHT or business interests typically takes 12 to 18 months. We always give you a realistic timeline at the start.

Not always. Very small estates and assets held jointly with a surviving spouse may pass without a Grant of Probate. We can advise after a brief review of the estate.

Every individual has a tax-free nil-rate band, and an additional residence allowance may apply where the family home passes to direct descendants. Above those thresholds the rate is set by HMRC. Married couples can usually combine both allowances. We will run through the figures specific to your estate during our consultation.

Anywhere in South Wales — Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and all the cities, towns, villages and rural areas between them. We do not charge travel costs anywhere in the region.

Yes. We are members of professional industry bodies, follow a strict code of conduct and carry comprehensive professional indemnity insurance.

Yes, with pleasure. We have native Welsh-speaking consultants and routinely take instructions and draft documents in Welsh.

Usually within one to two weeks of your first phone call. We do offer urgent appointments — within 48 hours — if your circumstances genuinely require it, such as a serious illness diagnosis.