Resources, Guides & Blog
Plain-English guides to wills, probate, lasting powers of attorney, trusts and inheritance tax — written by qualified will writers, updated for 2026.
The estate-planning industry has a habit of speaking in code. Latin phrases, intimidating acronyms, references to nineteenth-century statutes that nobody outside the legal profession has ever read — it can all make a perfectly straightforward subject feel impossibly daunting. The articles below are our attempt to do the opposite. Each one is written in plain English by a qualified Society of Will Writers member, kept up to date with the current law and tax thresholds, and aimed squarely at people who want to understand their options before they sit down with a professional.
If your question is not covered here, or if you would like to talk through your specific circumstances, give us a call on 0330 223 7844 or use our contact form. The first conversation is always free and entirely without obligation.
Latest articles
What happens if you die without a will in England?
An intestacy explainer for 2026 — who inherits, who doesn't, and why a £95 will fixes the lot.
Read article →
How much does a will cost in the UK in 2026?
An honest, no-jargon look at what you should expect to pay — and what you actually get for the money.
Read article →
Will writer vs solicitor — what's the difference?
Both can draft a perfectly legal will. So how do you decide which is right for you?
Read article →
UK inheritance tax thresholds in 2026
How the nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band, gifting rules and charitable discount actually work in 2026 — and what's changing in 2030.
Read article →
Care home fees — can a Property Protection Trust really protect your home?
An honest, no-spin guide to what trusts can and can't do when it comes to local-authority care fee assessments.
Read article →
The UK probate process — step-by-step
What probate actually involves in England and Wales in 2026, how long it takes, and what your executors will need to do.
Read article →Topics we cover
Wills
Single wills, mirror wills, complex wills, what makes a will valid, intestacy, common drafting mistakes and how to avoid them.
Inheritance Tax
The nil-rate band, the residence nil-rate band, gifting rules, business and agricultural reliefs, and the changes coming in 2027.
Trusts
Property Protection Trusts, discretionary trusts, disabled person's trusts, when they make sense and when they don't.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Property & Finance LPAs, Health & Welfare LPAs, registration with the OPG, choosing the right attorneys.
Probate
What probate is, when it is needed, the application process, IHT400, dealing with HMRC and HMCTS, and timescales.
Care & Long-term Planning
Care fee assessments, deliberate deprivation rules, how to legitimately protect part of the family home for your children.