Privacy Policy
How we handle your personal information — last updated April 2026.
1. Who we are
This policy applies to Will Guard (“we”, “us”, “our”), operating the website willguard.co.uk and providing will writing, lasting power of attorney, trust drafting, and estate administration services across the North East and North West of England.
We are the data controller of personal information collected through this website and during our professional services. You can contact us at info@willguard.co.uk or by post at our registered address.
2. What information we collect
We collect only the information we need to deliver our services and comply with our legal obligations.
Contact information. Name, address, email, phone, date of birth.
Identity documents. Where required for anti-money-laundering or LPA registration, we may ask to see (not keep copies of) photo ID and proof of address.
Family and estate information. Details of family members, dependants, executors, trustees, beneficiaries, and the assets and liabilities that form your estate. This is necessary to draft your will or LPA properly.
Medical information. In very limited circumstances where capacity is in question, we may seek (with consent) a medical opinion.
Website data. We collect limited technical data when you visit our website — see our Cookies Policy.
3. Why we collect it and our legal basis
We process your information on the following lawful bases under the UK GDPR:
- Contract performance — to provide the services you’ve instructed us to carry out.
- Legal obligation — to comply with anti-money-laundering regulations, tax requirements, and professional standards.
- Legitimate interests — to run our business, keep records, and contact former clients with relevant service updates (such as review reminders).
- Consent — for marketing communications, which you can withdraw at any time.
4. How long we keep information
We retain files relating to wills, LPAs and estate work for a minimum of seven years after the file is closed, and in many cases longer — there are sound professional reasons to keep records beyond the statutory minimum in our line of work. Wills and LPAs held in our storage service are kept for as long as you ask us to hold them.
Website enquiry data is deleted within twelve months if the enquiry does not lead to engaged work.
5. Who we share it with
We don’t sell your information. We share only what is necessary, only when necessary, and only with:
- Our own staff and professional assistants who help prepare your documents.
- HMRC, the Probate Registry, the Office of the Public Guardian, HM Land Registry and similar bodies where the service requires it.
- Your nominated professional advisers (accountants, financial advisers) with your express consent.
- Our professional indemnity insurers and the Society of Will Writers, where necessary for insurance or regulatory reasons.
- Software suppliers (email, document storage, accounting) who act as processors under our instructions. All are UK or EU-based with appropriate safeguards.
6. International transfers
Your information is stored and processed within the UK. Any processor we use outside the UK (very limited and only where unavoidable) is subject to appropriate contractual safeguards under the UK GDPR.
7. Security
We hold original documents in fireproof, locked storage. Electronic files are held on password-protected, encrypted systems with regular backups. Access is limited to staff who need it.
8. Your rights
Under the UK GDPR you have the right to:
- Access the information we hold about you.
- Correct inaccurate information.
- Ask us to delete information (subject to our regulatory retention obligations).
- Restrict or object to certain processing.
- Ask for your information in a portable format where technically possible.
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
- Complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
To exercise any of these, please email info@willguard.co.uk.
9. Changes to this policy
We review this policy periodically. Material changes will be notified to active clients. The current version is dated April 2026.