How It Works
Estate planning doesn't have to be complicated. Here's what to expect when you work with me.
Get in Touch
Call me on 07930 924688, send an email, or fill in the contact form. Tell me a bit about what you're looking for and we'll arrange a convenient time to meet.
Free Consultation
We'll have an initial chat, either at your home, by video call, or on the phone, whichever suits you best. This is completely free and without obligation.
I'll ask about your situation, explain your options in plain English, and answer any questions you have. This helps us both understand whether I can help and what services might be right for you.
Clear Quote
If you decide you'd like to proceed, I'll provide a clear, written quote for the work. You'll know exactly what's included and what the total cost will be before any work begins. No hidden fees, no surprises.
Information Gathering
Once you've decided to go ahead, we'll have a detailed discussion about your wishes. For wills, this covers your assets, who you want to benefit, guardians for children, and any specific requests. For LPAs, we'll discuss who you want as attorneys and any preferences or restrictions.
Don't worry if you're not sure about everything. I'll guide you through the decisions and explain the implications of different choices.
Document Preparation
I'll prepare your documents based on our discussions. You'll receive drafts to review, and we can make any changes needed until you're completely happy with everything.
Signing
For wills, I'll arrange for proper signing and witnessing, either at a follow-up home visit or at another convenient location. For LPAs, I'll guide you through the signing process, which involves multiple parties and must be done in a specific order.
Completion
Once everything is signed, I'll provide you with your completed documents and explain how to store them safely. For LPAs, I'll submit them to the Office of the Public Guardian for registration.
I'll also make sure your executors or attorneys know where to find the documents when needed.
Ways to Meet
Home Visits
I'll come to you at your home, at a time that suits your schedule. This is the most popular option, particularly for couples who can discuss things together in familiar surroundings.
Video Calls
If you prefer, we can meet via video call using Zoom, Teams, or similar. This works well if you're comfortable with technology and prefer not to meet in person.
Phone Consultations
We can have an initial chat over the phone to discuss your situation and answer your questions before deciding on next steps.
What to Think About Before We Meet
You don't need to have everything figured out before our consultation. But it can help to think about a few things in advance:
For Wills
- A rough idea of what you own (property, savings, investments, valuables)
- Who you'd like to benefit from your estate
- If you have children under 18, who might be their guardians
- Who you'd trust to act as executor (to carry out your wishes)
- Any specific items you want to leave to particular people
- Any charities you'd like to support
For Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Who you'd trust to make decisions for you if you couldn't
- Whether you want the same people for health decisions and financial decisions
- Any preferences or restrictions you'd want to include
For Property Protection
- How you currently own your home (you may not know, that's fine)
- Your concerns about what might happen to your share
- Who you'd like to ultimately benefit from your share
Don't worry if you can't answer all these questions. Part of my job is to help you think through the options and make decisions that are right for your situation.
What to Expect
For a Will
From our first meeting to having your completed, signed will typically takes a few weeks, depending on how quickly we can arrange meetings and how long you need to think about your decisions. Simple wills can often be completed faster.
For Lasting Powers of Attorney
The preparation and signing process is similar to wills. However, LPAs must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can be used, which currently takes around 20 weeks. It's important to plan ahead.
Flexible Timing
I understand that estate planning isn't always the highest priority in a busy life. There's no pressure to make quick decisions, and I'm happy to work at whatever pace suits you. Some people complete everything in a couple of weeks, others take a few months. What matters is getting it right.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and take the first step towards protecting your family.