Standard will (one person)

A will that says what you want

A will is the only way to make sure your estate goes to the people you choose. Without one, the intestacy rules decide who inherits, and the result is often not what you would have wanted.

Aaron drafts the will himself. He takes time to understand your family, your wishes and any worries, and explains everything in plain English, so you know what your will says and why.

From first meeting to signed document usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. The fee is fixed at the outset. If anything takes longer than expected, that is Aaron's responsibility, not yours.

Who this is for

• Anyone who does not have a will
• Anyone whose circumstances have changed (marriage, children, divorce, a new home)
• People with a straightforward estate who want it done properly
• Parents who want to appoint guardians for children under 18

What the fixed fee includes

• A first meeting at home, in person or by video, whichever suits you
• Drafting of the will by Aaron himself
• A review meeting to go through every clause together
• Supervised signing and witnessing, so the will is valid
• Advice on storing the will safely

What is not included

The fixed fee covers a straightforward will for one person. If you need any of the following, Aaron will discuss it with you and agree a separate fixed fee before any extra work starts:

• Letter of wishes: a separate note guiding your executors on personal items, funeral wishes or the reasons behind your decisions
• Statement excluding a beneficiary: a formal record of why you have left someone out, which helps defend the will against a challenge
• Capacity assessment: where there is any doubt about mental capacity, a formal assessment protects the validity of the will
• Liaising with third parties: working with your financial adviser or accountant so the will fits your wider planning
• Inheritance tax planning: if your estate may be over the tax-free allowances, the inheritance tax check can be added to the will (see the fees page)
• Second or additional properties: more than one property may need extra drafting
• Business, commercial or overseas assets: these may need a will with a trust in it
• Checking the property deeds: to see whether a jointly owned home is held as joint tenants or tenants in common
• A trust in the will: for control over how a beneficiary receives their inheritance, or to protect a share of the home (see wills with a trust)

Most people need none of these. If you do, Aaron explains the options at the first meeting and you always know the cost before any work begins.

What happens if you do nothing

Without a will, the intestacy rules decide who inherits. Your spouse may not receive everything. An unmarried partner receives nothing. Step-children and close friends are left out. A will is the only way to make sure the right people are looked after.

Why Safe Harbour

• Aaron handles your matter from start to finish. It is never passed to a junior or a paralegal.
• Fixed fees, confirmed before work starts. No hourly rates.
• Home visits across Bridlington and East Yorkshire. Aaron comes to you.
• Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, with professional indemnity insurance.
• A template cannot tell you about inheritance tax, spot a risk you have not thought of, or check that the will works with your other documents. Aaron can.

You may also need

• A will with a trust in it: to protect a share of the home, or an inheritance from a beneficiary's divorce or bankruptcy
• Mirror wills: two matching wills for a couple, at less than two single wills cost on their own
• Lasting powers of attorney: a will only works after death. LPAs let someone you trust manage your money and your care if you lose capacity. Doing them with your will takes a fixed amount off the fee, once for the whole matter.