Will Writing Services

A Will is one of the most important documents you will ever need. With offices in London and Cambridge, our team of solicitors will provide you with friendly, reliable and expert advice to help you identify the right Will for you and your family.

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The Importance of Having a Professionally Written Will

As of 2024, it’s estimated that over 61% of adults within Britain (approx. 30 million people) do not currently have a Will. As a result, when they die, their estate will be divided according to the Rules of Intestacy which may divide their estate in a way which they would not have chosen themselves.

A well-constructed Will is more than just a legal document; it’s a safeguard for your family’s future. It helps to ensure that your wishes regarding your “estate”, such as assets or belongings are adhered to after you’re gone. Should you have any dependents, you can also declare your wishes as to how they will be looked after, such as by appointing a legal guardian.

Proper estate planning and professional guidance also enables you to maximise efficiency and minimise any tax burdens on your heirs, ensuring more of your estate goes to your loved ones.

Whilst you can create a Will yourself for simple arrangements, it can prove to be a false economy if not completed correctly. In contrast, a professionally written Will ensures legal validity, minimises the risk of important considerations being overlooked, and provides robust declarations of your wishes which can aid in any disputes.

Types of Will

Our team of solicitors at both our London and Cambridge offices are experienced in creating a wide range of Wills and will be happy to discuss those which are best suited to your needs.

Common Wills include:

Simple Wills:
- A straightforward Will that leaves assets to your spouse, children, or other beneficiaries.
- Commonly used for basic estate planning.
- Prices from: £720 (inclusive of VAT)
Mirror Wills:
- Two nearly identical Wills created by a couple (married or in a civil partnership).
- Both partners express similar wishes regarding their estate distribution.
- Prices from: £1,200 (inclusive of VAT)
Trust Wills:
- Include trusts within the Will.
- Trusts can manage assets for beneficiaries, especially minors or those with special needs.
- Useful for controlling how assets are distributed over time.

We offer a five working day turnaround, from receiving full instructions and payment to producing a draft Will for your consideration all backed by our service level guarantee.

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When Should You Update Your Will?

Many people believe that you only need a Will when you retire, or once you have a large enough estate, or that you only need to create a Will once. However, in reality, you should review if your Will is still fit for purposes whenever there has been a change in your circumstances or those who may be affected by your Will. Some examples include:

Changes in the number of children or grandchildren.
When your children or grandchildren become over 18 years of age.
There is a change in any assets (gaining or losing) such as property or income.
Changes in personal relationship status, such as getting married or divorced.
When there has been any change of circumstances to yourself, any beneficiaries or executors of your will.
The value of your assets has changed significantly or has reached a threshold where you need inheritance tax advice (When your assets have reached over £325,000 for example).
There are changes to any business relationships such as any you own or create.
Whether you have recently retired or are considering retirement.

Creating a Will can be a sensitive subject. But it’s important to ensure your Will gives an accurate reflection of your estate and reflects your wishes.

Our experienced team of wills solicitors is here to help guide you through the process, with care and compassion and ensure that your Will and estate planning is tax compliant, and meets your desires.

At Culver Law, we believe there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all Will. People’s lives unique, and therefore, your Will needs to be carefully tailored to your specific needs, requirements and circumstances.

The contents of your Will take deliberate thought and preparation and to help you get this process started please download our guide entitled what to consider when you make a Will.

To move forward with your Will, please fill in our online form and we will send you a quote for the same.

Download Guide

Questionnaire

Complex Wills, and Estate Planning for HNW Individuals with High Value Assets

Complex Wills, and estates of high net worth individuals require additional considerations and often present their own set of unique challenges. This is an area we have a great deal of expertise in. You might fall into this category if:

Your estate value exceeds £1 million
Either you or your spouse have children from a previous marriage (sometimes referred to as a “Blended family”)
You have international assets or were born outside of the UK
You are the beneficiary of a trust
You are a business owner or joint partner of a business
You have made sizable gifts (over £3,000 in any tax year) to Individuals or Trusts
You require “property protection” (Life Interest Trust) to allow your spouse or partner to continue living in your property whilst protecting your share for specific beneficiaries (e.g. your children)

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Why Choose Culver Law for Your Will Creation?

Our solicitors are full members of STEP (The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, which means that they are some of the most qualified solicitors in the UK
Our solicitors have experience of a wide range of issues including vulnerable beneficiaries (such as those living with dementia), understand the added complexities, and are adept at handling and supporting such clients with patience and respect.
Home visits can be arranged if those are more convenient (costs for time and travel can be provided in advance)
Our solicitors are friendly and approachable and aim to build meaningful, long-term relationships with our client so that we can support them throughout their lives.

Specialist Support for Deaf or Audibly Impaired Individuals

Culver Law is a law firm who has a genuine interest in supporting the deaf community and strongly believes that legal services should be accessible to all people, not just those who can hear. As a result:

All our staff have had (or are in the process of receiving) Deaf Awareness Training
Signly is included on our website to aid accessibility for BSL users
SignVideo is available for telephone calls and meetings to ensure that the clients have access to the very best BSL interpreters if required
Amy Wallhead, the lead solicitor responsible for wills, is currently studying Signature Level 3 Certificate in BSL and has been an active participant in her local deaf community for the past few years

Meet the Team

London Office

44 Southampton Buildings, London. WC2A 1AP

Michael Culver

As the founder and Managing Director of Culver Law Ltd, Michael provides specialist legal advice and services for private clients, especially in the areas of Court of Protection, Wills, Estate Administration, Trusts, LPAs and tax planning. He is also the Chairman of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), a national organisation of lawyers who advocate for the rights and interests of older and vulnerable people. Michael is passionate about delivering high-quality and ethical legal services that protect and empower my clients and their families.

Contact:

Tel: 0207 846 5029
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Cambridge Office

9 Hills Road, Cambridge. Cambridgeshire. CB2 1GE

Amy Wallhead

Amy joined Culver Law as a partner in March 2023. She advises on all aspects of non-contentious Private Client work including Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning and Probate and specialises in advising older and vulnerable clients.

Amy has a particular interest in understanding dementia and related illnesses which she uses to assist her clients to be involved in decisions relating to their affairs for as long as they are able. Amy is a Dementia Friends Ambassador and regularly provides training sessions to colleagues and contacts to help them to better understand their clients’ needs.

Amy has been learning British Sign Language and is currently studying for her Signature Level 6 Certificate. Prior to joining Culver Law, Amy was listed as a Rising Star Lawyer in Legal 500.

Contact:

Tel: 01223 653010
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Will and Probate Services We Offer

Our team are experienced in handling a broad range of Wills, that include but aren’t limited to:

Will Writing Services

Crafting a well-structured and legally sound Will is crucial to ensure your wishes are honoured after your passing. Our solicitors will work closely with you to identify the right type of Will for your needs, and write a Will that reflects your intentions and safeguards your assets.

From simple or mirror Wills to Trust, we can help.

Will Writing Services
Estate Planning

Our team of Wills and Probate Solicitors can help you make important decisions about who will inherit your property, who will manage your affairs if you become incapacitated and how your healthcare and financial matters will be handled if you are unable to make decisions for yourself.

Estate Planning
Probate Solicitors

Compassionate probate solicitors in London & Cambridge - guiding you through the probate process with care and expertise.

Probate Solicitors
Estate Administration

Being an executor for an estate can be risky if matters are not dealt with correctly, because an executor or administrator can be held personally liable for any mistakes. At Culver Law, our solicitors work to guide you through the probate process, dealing with any estate fees or taxes.

Estate Administration
Statutory Wills

A Statutory Will is a Will made by the Court of Protection on behalf of someone who is unable to make one themselves because they lack the required mental capacity. Our team of solicitors in both our London and Cambridge offices are experts in this field, and can assist with statutory Will applications to ensure that the proposed Will aligns with the best interests of the individual.

Statutory Wills
Contesting a Will

Disputes over wills can be emotionally charged. Whether you’re challenging a Will or defending its validity, our solicitors provide strategic advice and representation.

Contesting a Will
Inheritance Act Claims

When you feel unfairly excluded from an inheritance, our team of solicitors can help you explore your options under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. We strive to achieve a fair resolution for all parties involved.

Inheritance Act Claims
Beneficiary Disputes

A beneficiary is an individual designated to receive assets, property, or benefits from a Will, trust, insurance policy, or other financial arrangement upon the death of an individual.

Beneficiary Disputes
Testamentary Capacity Disputes

When questions arise about an individual’s mental capacity at the time of making a Will, our solicitors can provide you with expert advice to help you understand your options, and should further action be required, we can assist you by providing legal representation.

Testamentary Capacity Disputes
Contentious Probate FAQs

Contentious Probate is a wide-ranging term and includes any dispute involving a deceased’s estate.

Contentious Probate FAQs