Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning

Wills, Trusts and Estates Solicitors

Prosperity’s private client team comprises dedicated trust, estate, wills, and probate solicitors; each an expert in helping clients to secure and protect their futures.

The way we carry out wills and estate planning has changed significantly in the last 50 years – it’s become more complex. A person’s estate is now intricately entwined with many technical rules of law and tax implications, making it difficult to plan for the future without qualified, expert assistance.

“This is the 1st time we have been able to work with a law firm so professionally, effortlessly and efficiently. Thank you and look forward to working with you again in the near future.”

Mr W

Prosperity’s Wills, Trusts and Estates Solicitors

What do our solicitors help with?

When it comes to navigating the pool of solicitors dealing with wills and estates, it helps to find a multi-disciplinary team who can advise you on the full suite of legalities and corresponding liabilities that may affect you. Prosperity’s team can support with:

Probate
Trusts
Declaration of trust
Setting up a trust
Trust administration
Estate planning
Inheritance Tax planning

Will writing
Lasting powers of attorney
Health and Welfare
Powers of Attorney
Guardianships
Estate administration and grant of probate

We take the time to understand your specific circumstances and provide clear, constructive advice at every stage of your case whether it’s a trust, estate , a will or probate.

Our Probate Costs

Full administration

Grant application only

Looking for a specific service?

Probate

Lasting powers of attorney

Health and Welfare Powers of Attorney

Trusts

Estate planning

Guardianships

Estate administration and grant of probate

Inheritance Tax planning

Will writing

Common Wills and Estate Planning Questions

We have a breadth of experience in Law regarding Wills, Estates, and Probate, here are some of the questions we get asked most.

Get answers from an expert

Do I really need a Will if I'm not a high net worth individual?
This is one of the most common misconceptions we encounter. A Will isn’t just about distributing large estates, it’s about making sure your wishes are followed, whatever your circumstances. Without a valid Will, the intestacy rules dictate who inherits your assets, and the outcome may not reflect what you would have wanted. A Will also allows you to appoint guardians for any minor children, choose your executors, and make specific gifts to friends, family, or charities. Appointing a wills and probate solicitor to put the right protections in place is one of the most straightforward steps you can take to protect the people you care about.
What is the difference between a Will and a Trust, and do I need both?

A Will comes into effect only on your death and deals with how your estate is distributed at that point. A trust, by contrast, can be set up during your lifetime and offers a more flexible, ongoing way to manage and protect assets; both now and after you’re gone. Whether you need both depends entirely on your personal and financial circumstances. Many of our clients find that a Will alone is sufficient, while others with more complex family situations or larger estates benefit significantly from incorporating a trust into their planning. We always recommend taking advice tailored to your position before deciding.
How can I reduce the amount of inheritance tax my estate will pay?

Inheritance tax (IHT) is charged at 40% on the value of your estate above the nil-rate band threshold. The good news is that with proper planning, there are a number of legitimate strategies to reduce or even eliminate an IHT liability. The key is to plan early; many of the most effective strategies, such as gifts made more than seven years before death, require time to take effect. We work closely with clients to build a long-term plan that reflects both their tax position and their wider family wishes.
What happens if I lose mental capacity and don't have a Lasting Power of Attorney in place?
Without a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), no one, not even your spouse or closest family member, has the automatic legal authority to manage your affairs if you lose capacity. This means decisions about your bank accounts, property, investments, and even your medical care could be delayed or disputed while an application is made to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order. This process is significantly more expensive, time-consuming, and stressful than putting an LPA in place in advance.
I've recently married, divorced, or had children - does that affect my existing Will?
Yes, and this is something many people are unaware of. Marriage automatically revokes any existing Will in England and Wales, meaning that if you marry without making a new Will, you will die intestate. Equally, while divorce does not revoke a Will entirely, it does treat your former spouse as having predeceased you for the purposes of gifts and executorship, which can create unintended gaps in your planning. The birth of a child is another significant life event that warrants a review, particularly to address guardianship and to ensure your estate plan reflects your growing family. As a general rule, we recommend reviewing your Will every three to five years or whenever your personal circumstances change materially.
Can I make sure a specific person does not inherit from my estate?

You have broad freedom in England and Wales to leave your estate to whomever you choose, but that freedom is not unlimited. Certain categories of people – including spouses, former spouses, cohabiting partners, children, and financial dependants – may be entitled to bring a claim against your estate if they feel they have not been reasonably provided for. That said, with careful drafting and, where appropriate, a written letter of wishes setting out your reasoning, it is often possible to structure your Will in a way that minimises the risk of a successful claim. This is a particularly sensitive area, and we would always recommend taking specialist advice rather than attempting to handle it without legal support.
How long does the probate process take, and what does it involve?

Probate is the legal process by which your executors obtain the authority to administer your estate after your death. The timeline varies considerably depending on the complexity of the estate, but straightforward cases typically take between six and twelve months from the date of death to final distribution. More complex estates can take considerably longer. While it is possible for executors to handle probate themselves, many choose to instruct a solicitor to manage the process on their behalf, which can significantly reduce the burden at what is already a difficult time.

Why Choose Prosperity?

Partner‑Led Support

A senior private client solicitor oversees your matter from start to finish, giving you consistent, informed guidance throughout.

Specialist Estate Planning Expertise

Our team advises on wills, trusts, inheritance tax, estate administration and probate, with seamless access to property and business support when needed.

Efficient, Sensitive Service

We work proactively to reduce delays, minimise stress, and keep you clearly updated at every stage.

Talk with a solicitor

What Our Clients Say

“We have had the pleasure of working with Prosperity Law and specifically Charlotte Keating, Bethany Coward and Kate Boden. This is the 1st time we have been able to work with a law firm so professionally, effortlessly and efficiently. Thank you and look forward to working with you again in the near future.”

Mr W

This is my second time engaging Prosperity Law. The first, a probate matter with Paul McGee, and more recently estate planning with Charlotte Keating. On both occasions, I’ve been impressed with their professionalism and attention to detail. Friendly, courteous and knowledgeable, I’d have no hesitation recommending Prosperity Law for any legal matter.”

Mr S

Meet Our Private Client Team

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Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning

Wills, Trusts and Estates Solicitors

Prosperity’s private client team comprises dedicated trust, estate, wills, and probate solicitors; each an expert in helping clients to secure and protect their futures.

Prosperity’s Wills, Trusts and Estates Solicitors

What do our solicitors help with?

Our Probate Costs

Looking for a specific service?

Common Wills and Estate Planning Questions

We have a breadth of experience in Law regarding Wills, Estates, and Probate, here are some of the questions we get asked most.

Why Choose Prosperity?

Partner‑Led Support

Specialist Estate Planning Expertise

Efficient, Sensitive Service

What Our Clients Say

Meet Our Private Client Team

Get The Guidance You Need From Our Trusted Private Client Team

What our clients say

We’d love to hear from you! Send us a message using the form opposite, call us or follow us for the latest updates.

Manchester0161 667 3686

Mon-Fri 9am-5.30 pm

Liverpool0151 958 0057

Mon-Fri 9am-5.30 pm

London

Mon-Fri 9am-5.30 pm

Leeds0113 246 7878

Mon-Fri 9am-5.30 pm

Chester01244 450 782

Mon-Fri 9am-5.30 pm

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way to your inbox.

Manchester
0161 667 3686

Liverpool
0151 958 0057

Leeds
0113 246 7878

Chester
01244 450 782