Will writing solicitors in Leicester

Why a professionally drafted will matters, what happens without one, and when you should update yours. Leicester firms that write wills.

Last updated 26 September 2026. General information about the law in England and Wales, not legal advice on your situation.

A will sets out who inherits your estate, who deals with it (your executors), and who you’d want to look after any children under 18. Without one, the intestacy rules decide, and they often don’t reflect what people would have chosen.

What happens without a will

Under the intestacy rules a surviving spouse or civil partner is usually well provided for, but children, parents and siblings take in a fixed order, and unmarried partners inherit nothing automatically. A partner may then have to bring a court claim to receive anything at all. Stepchildren who were never adopted aren’t included either.

When a solicitor is worth it

For a simple estate a straightforward will is quick and inexpensive. Professional advice matters more if you have children from different relationships, a business or farm, property abroad, a family member who is vulnerable or receives means-tested benefits, significant pensions or life insurance, or an estate large enough for inheritance tax planning to be worth doing. A solicitor also checks that the will is signed and witnessed correctly, which is where many home-made wills fail.

Trusts in wills

Trusts can protect money for young children, provide for a surviving partner while preserving capital for children from a first marriage, or protect a vulnerable beneficiary. They need careful drafting and are one of the main reasons to use a solicitor.

Keeping it up to date

Review your will after marriage, divorce or separation, the birth of children or grandchildren, a move, a significant change in wealth, or if an executor or guardian is no longer suitable. Small changes can be made by codicil, but a new will is usually cleaner.

Lasting powers of attorney

Many people make lasting powers of attorney at the same time, which cover decisions while you’re alive if you lose capacity.

Common questions

How much does a will cost?

Many firms offer a fixed fee for a straightforward single or mirror will. Wills involving trusts, business assets or property abroad cost more. Ask what's included, such as storage of the original.

Can I write my own will?

You can, but home-made wills are more likely to be invalid because of how they were signed and witnessed, or to be unclear, which can lead to expensive disputes.

Does getting married affect my will?

Yes. Marriage or civil partnership generally revokes an existing will unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage. Divorce doesn't revoke a will but treats the former spouse as having died for the purposes of the will.

Where should I keep my will?

Somewhere safe that your executors know about. Many solicitors store originals free of charge. You can also deposit it with the Probate Service.