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Your information will be held securely and only used for this application. It will not be shared with third parties without your prior consent. Every application will be dealt with by Estate Care Plus until we are satisfied with the option you have qualified for, at that point you may be offered the opportunity to deal with a third party organisation at your discretion. After you submit this form we will contact you to discuss the options.
Free Consultation
Book your initial consultation (valued at £300) with one of our friendly estate planning experts today and take the first step in securing your legacy.
No-obligation Estate Review
Find out how you can protect your life’s work and understand your options without any pressure.
Your Trusted Guide
We’re here to offer support and guidance to families like yours during a difficult time, making sure you feel understood every step of the way.
We Make the Complex Simple
Experience an easy, hassle-free, streamlined process that makes estate planning straightforward and stress-free.
With You Through Every Step
We’ll hold your hand through the entire process, explaining everything clearly so you understand exactly what you need and how much it will cost.
Lifetime Service
Enjoy a lifetime commitment to you with annual check-ins for free amendments to ensure your plans always align with your family’s needs —all at no extra cost.
Let’s have a look at the facts
£75,000
on average spent on care a year
56%
of people in the UK don’t have a will
£5.2b
worth of homes are sold for care fees
31%
of people don’t think they have enough for a will
88%
of people don’t have a lasting power of attorney
58
the average age people make a will
Better informed is better protected, so let us help you protect the future you’ve built and the people you love.
Last Will and Testament
Control how your estate is distributed when you pass and ensure your loved ones benefit from everything you’ve worked hard for with no complications.
What is a Last Will and Testament?
A Last Will and Testament is an important document for directing how your assets are distributed after you pass, appointing guardians for minor children, and preventing disputes among loved ones. It also helps minimise tax issues. To be effective, your will must meet certain legal criteria.
Why Having a Will is so Important?
Dying without a will in place means your assets will be distributed under the ‘rules of intestacy,’ which may not reflect your true intentions, possibly excluding or unfairly including certain family members.
Drafting your will is a personal process that needs to be done right. Our advisors are here to tailor everything to your specific needs to ensure your legacy is secure.
Lasting Power of Attorneys
Allow your closest loved ones to look after you when you need it most.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you’re no longer able to do so yourself due to illness, injury, or mental incapacity. In the UK, there are two types of LPAs: one for health and welfare and another for property and financial affairs.
Why are LPAs Important?
Without an LPA, if you lose mental capacity, your loved ones won’t legally be able to make crucial decisions on your behalf. Instead, local authorities may step in to manage your affairs, potentially against your personal wishes.
To understand more about how to get power of attorney in the UK, the costs involved, or to access a lasting power of attorney guide, our specialists are ready to assist you.
Trusts
Have greater control and protection from outside threats to your estate by placing them in Trust. Maintain and preserve your life’s work.
What is a Trust?
A trust is a legal arrangement where someone you trust, called a trustee, looks after your assets (like money or property) for people you care about, known as beneficiaries. The person who sets up the trust is called the settlor. Trusts are an essential part of estate planning, ensuring your assets are protected and passed on exactly as you intend.
Finding the best trust depends on your specific needs, whether it’s tax savings, long-term care arrangements, or overall estate planning. Our team of trust and will experts understands every situation is unique, especially when it involves planning for the future or adjusting existing plans. Let’s discuss how we can best protect and manage your legacy.
Probate – Protect your estate for your family
Learn how to protect what you’ve worked hard for so your loved ones receive the full benefit.
What is Probate?
Probate helps you smoothly manage a loved one’s estate after they’ve passed away. It involves collecting their assets, paying any debts and taxes, and then sharing what’s left with the people named in the will. If there’s no will, assets are distributed according to intestacy laws.
Is Probate Required if There is a Will?
Yes, probate is often necessary to legally authorise the executor to manage the estate.
When is Probate Required?
Probate is often needed when someone who has passed away owns assets solely in their name. The process can take several months, but it’s easier than you think with the right support. Our specialists are here to guide you every step of the way, making sure everything is handled correctly and efficiently.
Severance of Tenancy
Secure your property for your loved ones. Learn how changing your joint tenancy can provide better protection, ensuring your family’s future is well cared for.
What is Severance of Joint Tenancy?
Severance of joint tenancy is an easy way to change property ownership from Joint Tenants to Tenants in Common. This helps co-owners better protect their property from things like care costs and sideways disinheritance. Understanding this process can give you peace of mind and help protect the future you’ve built.
What is Best for You?
Severing a joint tenancy by will or after someone has passed away can be complex, but it’s easier than you think with the right support. To learn more about the cost and benefits, talk to one of our land registry specialists today. They’ll explain your options and help you make informed decisions.
Inheritance tax
Maximise your family’s inheritance. Discover how understanding and managing inheritance tax can help you preserve more of your estate for your loved ones.
What is Inheritance Tax?
Inheritance tax is applied to the part of an estate that goes over the tax-free limit when someone passes away. It’s charged when the estate is passed on to beneficiaries.
When is Inheritance Tax Applicable?
Inheritance tax needs to be paid when an estate is passed to beneficiaries, and it must be settled within six months of the person’s passing. If it’s not paid on time, interest will be added. Beneficiaries need to pay this tax to HMRC before they can access the estate.
Are There Any Exemptions from Paying Inheritance Tax?
Yes, exemptions depend on the estate size and the beneficiaries. To understand the thresholds and possible tax benefits, chat with our specialists today.
Got a question?
How long does the process take?
Most people complete their Trust-based Estate Plan in about 20 minutes and their Will-based Estate Plan in about 15 minutes. The time can vary depending on what you want to include and the size of your estate. Our experts will help you finish as quickly as possible.
Are payment plans available?
Yes, we offer payment plans to make estate planning affordable and accessible for everyone.
What happens if I die without a will?
If you pass away without a will, outdated laws will decide who inherits your property and possessions. These laws don’t consider modern families, so unmarried partners and stepchildren might not be included. Without a will, your partner won’t automatically inherit your assets
If you have children under 18, social services or the courts might decide their guardianship. Writing a will ensures your wishes are known and your loved ones are protected.
How much does it cost to update a will?
If you write a will with a high-street solicitor, changes can start at £200. At Estate Care+, we offer annual check-ins with free amendments to make sure your plan always matches your family’s needs.
Is a will legally binding?
To make your will legally binding, you need to sign it in the presence of two witnesses. They should watch you sign, then add their own signatures and details. This ensures they can confirm your will if it’s ever contested.
Choose witnesses you trust who are over 18 and not beneficiaries or married to beneficiaries.
How much is inheritance tax?
Inheritance tax is a tax on the estate of someone who has passed away, including property, money, and possessions.
No inheritance tax is usually due if the estate is below £325,000 or if everything above that amount goes to your spouse, civil partner, charity, or a community amateur sports club.
Your tax-free threshold can increase to £500,000 if you own a home and leave it to your children or grandchildren, and your estate is worth less than £2 million.
Inheritance tax is paid from the estate funds. Beneficiaries only pay under specific circumstances, like inheriting a rental property or receiving a large gift within 7 years of your death.
How can I protect my estate from care home fees?
Protecting your estate from care home fees in the UK can be complex due to strict rules and regulations, but there are several ways to safeguard your assets. It’s important to get advice from a professional estate planner who specializes in elder care to guide you through the process smoothly.
Why do I need a last will and testament?
Control Over Asset Distribution: Specify who gets your assets to ensure your wishes are followed and avoid disputes.
Protection for Minor Children: Name guardians for your children so they’re cared for by people you trust.
Minimise Family Disputes: A clear will reduces misunderstandings and conflicts among family members.
Efficient Estate Management: Appoint a trusted executor to manage your estate, easing the burden on your loved ones.
Charitable Donations: Leave gifts to your favourite charities and create a legacy.
Tax Planning: Structure your will to minimize taxes, preserving more of your estate for your beneficiaries.
Do I need a will even if I don’t think I have enough assets?
Yes, having a will is important even if you don’t think you have many assets. A will ensures that whatever you do have is distributed according to your wishes, and it can help prevent any potential disputes among your loved ones. Plus, it’s not just about assets—it’s also about making sure your personal wishes are respected and that your loved ones are taken care of.
