Wills Solicitors in Coventry
Many people put off making a Will because it feels like something to deal with “later”. But a Will is one of the most practical things you can do for the people you love. Without one, the law decides what happens to everything you’ve worked for, and those decisions may not match your wishes at all.
At Band Hatton Button, our experienced Wills solicitors in Coventry help individuals and families plan for the future with confidence. Whether you're making your first Will, updating an existing one or dealing with more complex circumstances, we'll provide clear, practical advice to ensure your wishes are properly recorded.
We’re one of the largest private client practices in Coventry. Our team are members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, and we’re listed in the Chambers Guide and the Legal 500.
Speak to our Wills solicitors in Coventry today
Call 024 7663 2121 or email us at info@bandhattonbutton.com to arrange an initial consultation.
What is a Will and why making one matters
A Will (formally known as a last Will and testament) is a legal document that sets out how you want your assets distributed after your death. It can also name guardians for children under 18, appoint executors (the people responsible for carrying out your wishes), and include specific gifts, charitable donations, and funeral preferences.
Without a valid Will, you die intestate (i.e. without a Will), and the intestacy rules determine who inherits your estate. These rules don’t reflect personal relationships or individual circumstances, which can leave loved ones in a very difficult position.
Who should make a Will (and when)
A Will isn’t just for older people or those with significant wealth. You should consider making one if you:
- Own a property or have savings
- Are married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting
- Have children or stepchildren
- Run a business
- Have recently divorced, remarried, or separated
- Want to leave gifts to charity
Life events such as buying a home, having a child, or remarrying are common triggers. If any of these apply to you, now is the right time.
What happens if you die without a Will
If you die without a valid Will in England and Wales, the intestacy rules set out in the Administration of Estates Act 1925 govern who inherits your estate. These follow a strict order of preference, beginning with a spouse or civil partner, then children, then more distant relatives.
Critically, unmarried partners inherit nothing under intestacy, regardless of the length of the relationship. If you have children from a previous relationship, the outcome may not be what you’d want. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate rules, so seek advice based on where you live.
What to decide before you start writing your Will
Taking time to prepare before your appointment makes the process smoother. Key areas to consider are:
Valuing your estate
List your assets (property, savings, investments, pensions, and personal possessions) alongside any debts or liabilities. This gives your solicitor an accurate picture of your estate.
Choosing your beneficiaries
Decide who will inherit. You can name primary beneficiaries (your first choice), secondary beneficiaries (who inherit if a primary beneficiary dies before you), and a residuary beneficiary to receive anything left over.
Appointing executors
The executor of a Will is the person who administers your estate after your death. You can appoint between one and four. Choose someone trustworthy, organised, and willing to take on the role. Your solicitor can also act as executor.
Guardianship for children under 18
If you have children under 18, naming a guardian in your Will is often the single most important reason to make one. Without a named guardian, the courts decide who cares for your children.
How to make a Will in the UK: your options
There are several ways to write a Will. The right approach depends on the complexity of your estate.
Writing a Will yourself
It’s legally possible to write your own Will, but the risks are significant. Minor errors in wording or execution can make a Will invalid, and those mistakes only come to light after your death, when nothing can be corrected.
Using an online Will service
Online services may suit very straightforward situations and tend to be low cost. They offer limited scope for individual circumstances, however, and little recourse if something goes wrong.
Using a Will writer
Will writers aren’t regulated by a professional body in the same way as solicitors. Standards and insurance cover vary considerably, so check credentials carefully before proceeding.
Instructing a solicitor
A solicitor offers regulated, expert advice backed by professional indemnity insurance, and the reassurance that your Will is valid and reflects your intentions. For anything beyond the very simplest estate, this is the most reliable route.
Legal requirements for a valid Will in England and Wales
Under the Wills Act 1837, a Will is only valid if:
- You are aged 18 or over
- You make it voluntarily and without pressure
- You have testamentary capacity (i.e. you understand what you’re signing and its effect)
- It is in writing
- You sign it in the presence of two independent witnesses
- Both witnesses sign in the presence of each other
A witness can’t be a beneficiary under the Will, or married to one. If they are, the gift to that person fails, though the rest of the Will remains valid. Invalid witnessing is one of the most common causes of disputed Wills.
How much does it cost to make a Will?
The cost of making a Will varies depending on complexity, with a simple single Will costing less than a Will that creates a trust or deals with business assets.
If cost is a concern, Free Wills Month and Will Aid are charitable schemes that allow eligible adults to have a simple Will drafted free of charge by a participating solicitor.
Types of Will and common provisions
- Single Will: a Will made by one individual
- Mirror Wills: two separate Wills made by a couple (typically married or civil partners) that reflect each other’s wishes
- Trust Wills: Wills incorporating a trust, such as a life interest trust, a discretionary trust, or a disabled beneficiary trust, offering greater flexibility and protection
- Advance decision: a document (sometimes called a living Will) setting out your wishes about medical treatment if you lose capacity; this is a separate document from your Will
- Letter of wishes: a non-binding document accompanying your Will, explaining your intentions to executors and beneficiaries in more detail
Making a Will with Band Hatton Button in Coventry
Professional advice matters most when your circumstances are anything but straightforward. Our Wills solicitors in Coventry are particularly well placed to help if you have a blended family, an unmarried partner, business interests, overseas assets, potential inheritance tax exposure, a vulnerable or disabled beneficiary, or any concern that your Will could be challenged.
In these situations, the cost of professional advice is modest compared with the cost of getting it wrong.
Our team offers a personal, fixed-fee service for straightforward Wills, with clear pricing from the outset. We offer home visits where appropriate, so if attending our Coventry office is difficult, we can come to you. We can go through the key things to consider when making a Will and provide bespoke guidance and advice so that you have the right provisions in place for your loved ones.
Who can witness a Will and storing your Will
Once your Will is drafted, you’ll sign it in the presence of your two witnesses, who must both be present at the same time and sign immediately after you. Witnesses should be independent adults who are not beneficiaries.
Store your original Will somewhere safe: with your solicitor, with the HMCTS Will Storage service (a government-run facility), or in a fireproof safe at home. Wherever you keep it, make sure your executors know its location. A Will that can’t be found can’t be acted on.
Changing or revoking your Will
You can update your Will at any time. For minor changes, a codicil (a short supplementary document amending the original Will) may be sufficient. For more significant updates, making a new Will entirely is usually cleaner.
Be aware that marriage automatically revokes an existing Will unless it was made in contemplation of that specific marriage. Divorce removes gifts and appointments to a former spouse but doesn’t revoke the Will altogether.
Our wider Wills, trusts and probate team can also assist with probate and estate administration and the release of an original Will when the time comes.
Frequently asked questions about making a Will
Do I need a solicitor to make a Will in the UK?
No, but you should strongly consider using one unless your circumstances are very straightforward. Errors in a DIY Will often only surface after death, when they can no longer be corrected. A solicitor ensures your Will is valid, clear, and reflects exactly what you intend.
How much does a solicitor charge to write a Will?
Fees vary depending on how complex the Will is. If you would like a quote, please feel free to call us, and we will let you know what our costs would be.
Who can witness my Will?
Two independent adults who are not beneficiaries under your Will (or married to a beneficiary) can witness your Will. If a witness is also a beneficiary, they lose their gift under the Will, though the rest of the document remains valid.
What happens if I die without a Will in the UK?
Your estate is distributed under the intestacy rules, which follow a fixed order of preference. Unmarried partners inherit nothing under intestacy, regardless of how long you were together.
How long does it take to make a Will with a solicitor?
Usually two to four weeks from initial instruction to signing. Where circumstances are urgent, we can prioritise your matter.
Can I write my own Will using a template?
Legally, yes. In practice, the most common pitfalls are invalid witnessing, ambiguous wording, and assets that aren’t properly covered. These errors may not be obvious at the time but can cause significant problems for your estate later.
When should I update my Will?
Review your Will every three to five years and after any major life event, including marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, a property purchase, or a significant change in your finances. Remember, marriage automatically revokes a Will unless it was made in contemplation of that specific marriage.
Where should I store my original Will?
With your solicitor, the HMCTS Will Storage service, a bank, or a fireproof safe at home. Wherever you choose, make sure your executors know where to find it, as a Will that can’t be located can’t be used.
Can I include funeral wishes in my Will?
Yes, though funeral wishes in a Will aren’t legally binding. It’s also worth recording them in a separate letter of wishes and telling your executors in advance, as a Will is often not read until after the funeral has taken place.
Does making a Will reduce inheritance tax?
A Will alone doesn’t reduce inheritance tax. It is, however, the vehicle through which you can use tax-planning tools such as spousal exemptions, charitable gifts, trusts, and the residence nil-rate band (an additional inheritance tax threshold for passing a family home to direct descendants). Taking specialist advice can make a meaningful difference to the tax your estate pays.
Speak to our Wills solicitors in Coventry today
Call 024 7663 2121 or email us at info@bandhattonbutton.com to arrange an initial consultation with an experienced Will solicitor