Wills & Will Writing Solicitors

Making a will is one of those things many of us know we should do, but often put off.

Perhaps you’re unsure where to begin, don’t know what decisions you need to make, or worry that your family circumstances make things more complicated.

You may simply want the reassurance of knowing that the people you care about will be provided for and that your wishes are clearly recorded.

At The Jonathan Lea Network, we make the process as straightforward as possible. We’ll take the time to understand your circumstances, talk through what matters to you and explain your options in plain English.

Whether you’re making your first will or updating an existing one, we’re here to help you put the right arrangements in place.

Why is making a will important?

A will lets you decide who should inherit your money, property and possessions when you die. It also allows you to appoint people you trust to deal with your estate.

If you have children under 18, you can use your will to appoint guardians, helping to make your wishes clear about who should care for them if the appointment becomes relevant.

Without a valid will, your estate will generally be distributed according to the legal rules of intestacy.

Those rules might not reflect what you would have wanted, particularly if you’re unmarried, have children from different relationships or want to provide for friends, stepchildren or charities.

A properly prepared will helps give your wishes legal effect and can make matters clearer for the people you leave behind.

Every family is different. Your will should reflect yours.

There is no single way to arrange a will that works for everyone.

Some people have relatively straightforward wishes. Others need to think carefully about different relationships, responsibilities or assets.

We regularly consider questions such as:

How can I protect my partner and children? You may want your partner to be financially secure while also ensuring that your children receive an inheritance. If you have children from a previous relationship, or you’re part of a blended family, you may need to balance different interests. We can discuss how your wishes might be reflected in your will and whether particular arrangements, including trusts, may be appropriate.

What happens if I’m not married to my partner? Living together doesn’t automatically give an unmarried partner the same inheritance rights as a spouse or civil partner. If you want your partner to inherit from your estate, it’s particularly important to consider whether you have an appropriate will in place. We’ll help you understand your position and how you can provide for the people who matter to you.

Who would look after my children? If you have children under 18, deciding who you would want to care for them if you’re no longer able to do so can be an important consideration. Your will can appoint testamentary guardians, although whether that appointment takes effect depends on the circumstances and existing parental responsibility arrangements. We’ll explain how this works and help you consider arrangements for your children’s financial future.

What if someone in my family needs additional support? You may want to provide for a child or adult who is vulnerable, has a disability or may need assistance managing money. In some circumstances, leaving an inheritance outright may not achieve the result you want. We can explain whether different arrangements, such as an appropriately structured trust, might better meet your objectives.

What if I own a business or have substantial assets? Business ownership, multiple properties and investments can raise additional questions about succession, tax and how different assets should be dealt with. We’ll consider the wider picture and, where appropriate, work with colleagues across JLN’s corporate and commercial teams.

When should I update my will?

Your circumstances and priorities can change considerably over time.

You may want to review your will following marriage or civil partnership, separation or divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, a significant change in your financial circumstances, or the death of someone named in your existing will.

Marriage or civil partnership will generally revoke an existing will unless an exception applies, while divorce or dissolution can change how provisions relating to a former spouse or civil partner take effect.

Even if nothing significant has happened, reviewing your will periodically can help ensure that it continues to reflect your wishes.

You don’t necessarily need to start again. We’ll review your current arrangements and explain what changes, if any, would be advisable.

How does making a will with us work?

We aim to make the process clear and manageable from the beginning.

1. We start with a conversation: We’ll ask about your circumstances, your family, the people you want to provide for and any particular concerns. You don’t need to have made every decision before speaking to us.

2. We explain your options: We’ll identify any legal considerations that are relevant to your wishes and explain the available approaches. If there are choices to make, we’ll help you understand their practical implications.

3. We prepare your will: Once we’ve agreed your instructions, we’ll prepare a draft will for you to review. We’ll explain any provisions that aren’t immediately clear and answer your questions before the document is finalised.

4. We help you complete the signing process: A will must meet specific legal requirements to be valid, including appropriate signing and witnessing. We’ll explain what needs to happen so your will is executed correctly.

5. We discuss keeping your will safe: Your original will needs to be stored safely and be accessible when required. We can explain the storage options available, including our will storage service.

How much does it cost to make a will?

The cost depends on your circumstances and how much legal work is required.

A straightforward will is generally less involved than a will that includes trusts, more complicated family arrangements or additional estate planning.

We’ll explain the proposed work and the applicable fee before you commit to proceeding.

For full details, please see our wills pricing page.

Let’s make sure your wishes are clear

Making a will isn’t just about preparing a legal document. It’s about thinking through what matters to you and making informed decisions about the future.

Whether your circumstances are simple or more involved, we’ll listen to what you want to achieve and help you make suitable arrangements.

Talk to our will-writing team.  Tell us a little about your circumstances and we’ll explain how we can help, what the process involves and the likely costs. Call us on 01444 708 640 or email wewillhelp@jonathanlea.net or fill out the form on our contact page and someone will get back to you within a working day.

Will Writing Solicitors in Sussex

We act for clients across Sussex, including Haywards Heath, Brighton, Crawley, and surrounding areas. Our team provides clear and practical legal advice tailored to your individual circumstances.