Wills Solicitors in York & London
Writing a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your estate is distributed exactly as you choose.
Our specialist wills solicitors have guided thousands of clients through the process of making, reviewing and updating their Wills, from straightforward single Wills to complex arrangements involving business interests, overseas assets or blended families. We provide a clear, personal Will writing service designed around your circumstances, whether you are writing a Will for the first time, updating an existing one, or navigating a complex family or financial situation.
We explain your options in plain English, help you make informed decisions, and draft a Will that is legally sound and clearly reflects your wishes.
Making a Will does not have to be complicated. We are here to make it straightforward.
Wills and estate planning explained
A Will is a legally binding document that sets out how you would like your estate, your property, finances, possessions and other assets to be managed and distributed after your death.
Without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed under intestacy rules, which follow a fixed legal order and may not reflect your actual wishes. Unmarried partners, stepchildren and close friends would receive nothing, while a separated spouse could inherit by default.
A Will also allows you to appoint executors to administer your estate, name guardians for any dependent children, and include instructions for specific gifts or charitable donations.
Where a Will forms part of broader planning, it works alongside other arrangements such as Lasting Powers of Attorney and trusts and tax planning. Our estate planning team can advise on how best to structure these together to protect your family and minimise tax.
How our will-writing service can help
If you are writing a Will for the first time, our legal professionals will guide you through every decision, including:
- Choosing and appointing executors
- Naming guardians for dependent children
- Identifying specific gifts and beneficiaries
- Planning for residual estate distribution
- Considering Inheritance Tax and care home fee implications
We take the time to understand your family situation, financial circumstances and wishes, so that your Will is accurate, legally robust and clearly drafted.
Life changes, and your Will should reflect that. We recommend reviewing your Will every two to five years, or following any significant change in circumstances.
A review may be particularly important if:
- Your marital status has changed
- You have welcomed new children or stepchildren into your family
- Your financial circumstances have significantly changed
- Your relationship with an executor or beneficiary has changed
- You want to ensure your Will addresses Inheritance Tax or care home fees
Send us a copy of your Will, and our legal professionals will review it thoroughly, provide comments and recommendations. You do not need to have made your original Will with us.
Please note: we are only able to review professionally drafted Wills. We cannot accept homemade Wills or Wills made using a Will pack.
A living Will, formally known as an advance decision or advance statement, is a legal document that records your preferences for future medical treatment or life-sustaining care in circumstances where you may be unable to communicate your wishes.
This may be relevant if you have been diagnosed with a progressive condition such as dementia, or if you wish to ensure your medical preferences are documented and respected in an emergency.
For broader support with planning for future incapacity, our Lasting Powers of Attorney service and managing affairs guidance can help you put the right arrangements in place.
Do you need a Will?
If you have assets, dependants or specific wishes about what should happen after your death, you should have a Will.
Without one:
- Your estate will be distributed under intestacy rules, which may not benefit the people you care about most
- Unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit, regardless of the length of their relationship
- Stepchildren and close friends are excluded entirely
- A separated spouse could inherit from your estate
- Decisions about your children’s guardianship may be left to the courts
Even in apparently straightforward situations, a professionally drafted Will provides clarity, avoids disputes and protects the people who matter to you.
If your estate includes property or business interests, it is also worth considering how your Will works alongside trusts and Inheritance Tax planning to minimise the tax burden on your estate.
We can help you understand what you need and make the process simple.
Making a Will: what to expect
Our Will writing service is designed to be clear and straightforward from the first conversation to the final signature.
You will need to have in mind the full names and addresses of your chosen executors, guardians and beneficiaries, along with details of any specific gifts and a general picture of your estate.
We will meet with you in person at our York or London offices, or by video call, whichever suits you. Once your Will is drafted and approved, you will need to sign the original in the presence of two witnesses. We can arrange this at either office, or post the document to you for signing at home.
All Wills made through Roche Legal include free secure storage as standard. We will register your Will with Certainty, the UK’s national Will register, so your representatives can locate it quickly when needed.
Once your Will is in place, you may also wish to consider whether a Lasting Power of Attorney is appropriate, to ensure someone you trust can manage your affairs should you lose capacity in the future.
Why choose Roche Legal for your Will writing service?
We take the time to understand your situation fully before we draft a single word. Your Will reflects your wishes, not a standard template.
We explain every option clearly, so you feel confident and informed throughout the process.
Whether you prefer to meet in person at our York or London offices, or consult remotely, we work around you.
We confirm our fees clearly before work begins, so you always know where you stand.
Roche Legal is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Our team consistently receives 5-star reviews from clients across the UK for clarity, care and professionalism.
Frequently asked questions about Wills
Wills can be complicated and confusing, especially if you’re writing one for the first time. We’ve put together a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions to help you understand what to expect from the process.
If you die without a valid Will, your estate is distributed under the intestacy rules. These follow a strict legal order of priority based on family relationships. Unmarried partners, stepchildren and friends receive nothing, and your wishes, however well understood by those close to you, have no legal standing.
We recommend reviewing your Will every two to five years, or after any significant life event, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a change in your financial position, or the death of an executor or beneficiary.
In some cases, a codicil, a document that amends rather than replaces a Will, may be appropriate. However, codicils can add complexity. Our solicitors will advise on whether a codicil or a new Will is the better option in your circumstances.
No. We offer consultations by video call as well as in person at our York and London offices. For signing, you can visit us, or we can post the original to you. You will need two independent witnesses present when you sign.
An executor is the person responsible for administering your estate in line with your Will, applying for probate, collecting assets, settling debts and distributing your estate. You can appoint a trusted friend or family member, or a professional executor such as your solicitor. We can advise on the most appropriate choice for your situation.
For more detail on what happens after a Will is executed, see our probate and estate administration service.
A Will can include instructions for the care of pets, though it is not possible to leave money directly to an animal. If ensuring your pet is looked after is important to you, we can also introduce you to PetPact, a dedicated service that provides legally secure arrangements for the future care of your pet.
If you hold assets in another country or have connections to a foreign jurisdiction, specialist advice is essential. In some cases, we can prepare a Will covering your worldwide assets; in others, we may recommend making a separate Will in the relevant jurisdiction. Our team will advise on the right approach.
Yes. Marriage or entry into a civil partnership after the date a Will is made automatically invalidates that Will (unless it was specifically worded to accommodate the upcoming marriage). Divorce does not invalidate a Will, but your former spouse or civil partner will no longer be entitled to act as executor or inherit from your estate. We strongly recommend updating your Will following any change in marital status.
We recommend that the original copy of your Will be held professionally and securely. All Wills made at Roche Legal include free storage as standard. Wewill also register your Will with Certainty, the UK’s national Will register, so your representatives can locate it quickly when needed.
A Will only takes effect after your death. If you want to ensure someone you trust can manage your finances, property or health decisions during your lifetime, for example, if you lose capacity, you should also consider putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place. Our managing affairs service can help with broader planning for future incapacity.
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