Welcome to Kat's Wills and Estate Planning, where securing your future is my top priority.
With expertise and dedication, I'm here to guide you through the process of creating a will that reflects your wishes and safeguards your legacy. Whether you're just starting to consider your estate planning needs or seeking to update an existing will, trust me to provide professional, personalised, and accessible services tailored to your unique circumstances.
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Let's embark on this important journey together, ensuring peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
How Much Does a Will Cost?
At Kat's Wills and Estate Planning, we believe that everyone deserves access to essential estate planning services. As a result we have done everything we can to ensure that costs are not a barrier to stop people from getting the help and advice they need.
That's why our prices start at just £59.00 per person for a very basic will through our online services. This service offers a very basic will and is unsuitable for large estates but it is the perfect solution for parents with young children on a low budget. This will allow you to put a will in place to legally name a guardian for your children if the unthinkable happened and there was no one living who had Parental Responsibility for your children. This service is aimed at giving all families the peace of mind their children will be cared for by who they choose if they are not here to care for them themselves. Without a guardian being named in a will the parents would have no say in who look after their children and this would be decided by social services and the family court.
For larger estates where a basic will is still sufficient and the distribution is straightforward you can use our online services from £89.00 per person.
For more complex circumstances or when a trust will may be necessary you can use my hybrid service to keep the costs as low as possible. This service allows you to complete a form online to the best of your ability and then we can arrange a face to face appointment via video call from £125.00 for a single basic will or £220.00 for a single trust will and £200.00 for a mirror basic will or £300.00 for a mirror trust will.
Alternatively I offer a fully advised face-to-face service either via video call or in person if you live in Newcastle upon Tyne or the surrounding areas for £175.00 for a single basic will or £270.00 for a single trust will and £240.00 for a mirror couple basic will and £350.00 for a mirror trust will.
Select Online Services for more information about our online and hybrid services that we offer or select Book an Appointment to make an appointment for a face-to-face appointment via video call or in person if you live in Newcastle-upon-Tyne or the surrounding areas.
What is a will?
A will is a legal document that you make to set out your wishes and ensure that your estate is distributed the way you want it to be after you have passed away. It allows you to ensure your loved ones are looked after when you are no longer here to help them.
A will allows you to set out all of your wishes about who you want to divide your estate up on your behalf and how you would like it to be divided. You can choose who will look after any funds that may be held on trust for any of the people benefiting from your estate in circumstances where trusts are required.
Types of wills
There are many different wills that can be written but the majority will fall into two categories. They are Standard wills or Trust wills, and both type of wills can be offered as an individual will or a mirrored will.
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Standard WillsA Standard Will is a straightforward will that does not include any type of trust being set up for any of the beneficiaries apart from if any of the beneficiaries are minors when the person who the will belongs to dies.
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Trust WillsA Trust Will is a will that has a specific trust included in it. The main ones that will often be set up in a will include:​ A Discretionary Trust A Vulnerable Persons Trust A Life Interest Trust
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Individual / Mirrored WillsIndividual wills will usually be used when a single person writes a will expressing their own individual wishes, but it may also be used for couples when they have significantly different wishes about how the estate is divided when they die. Mirrored wills will usually be used when a couple want to write a will and their wishes for how the estate is divided are mirrored or very similar. For example, if a couple decide that their estate should initially be passed onto the surviving member of the couple then in the event the second person dies they both want it to pass onto the same people such as children or grandchildren etc.
Why do I need a will?
This is a question many people often ask mainly because they feel they do not have enough assets or have heard stories of wills being contested. Either way, they do not believe there is a point in making a will. However, the key reason to make a will is because it gives you the best chance to distribute the estate as you choose.
Without a will in place before you die you will be classed as dying intestate. This means you have no control over how your estate is divided. Nor do you choose who does or does not benefit from your estate. If, for example, you wanted to gift a piece of jewellery or an ornament to a friend or certain family members, you would not be able to if you die intestate.
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Without a will you would not be able to name the executor who deals with your estate, who will be trustees and look after any part of the estate gifted to minors or vulnerable people, or choose a guardian who will look after any children who may still be minors at the time of your death. This is because your estate would be divided according to the rules of intestacy which are set out in law by the government. However, if there is no one to inherit through the intestacy rules then your estate will be transferred to the Crown.
Types of Trust
A Trust Will is a will that has a specific trust included in it.
There are various types of trusts but I will look at the main ones that will often be set up in a will.
A Discretionary Trust
A trust that can be set up which will leave part or the whole of the estate to be held on trust for a single or multiple beneficiaries.
Examples include:
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Provision for future needs, such as assisting a grandchild who may require additional financial support compared to other beneficiaries.
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Supporting beneficiaries who may lack the capability or responsibility to manage their finances independently.
There are advantages and disadvantages to setting up a discretionary trust which I can discuss with you in full detail.
A Vulnerable Persons Trust
A trust that can be set up when at least one of the beneficiaries is classed as a vulnerable person - for example, someone under 18 whose parent has died or a disabled person who is eligible for certain benefits. This type of trust can be beneficial to help reduce inheritance tax, but the estate has to be used largely to benefit the vulnerable person. Any other beneficiaries are only allowed to receive small sums each year.
Just like discretionary trusts there are advantages and disadvantages which I will discuss in full detail with you if this trust may be applicable.
A Life Interest Trust
A trust that is usually used if you are an owner of a property either solely or with another person and you wish to leave your share of the property to a beneficiary or group of beneficiaries but want a person to have the right to reside in the property for their lifetime.
It can be used in other circumstances too but this is the main situation. I would discuss any other situations with you if deemed necessary in your circumstances.
Downloadable Guides
Essential, Easy-to-Read Guides to Help You Understand Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney
At Kat's Wills and Estate Planning, I offer the versatility to meet clients both locally in Newcastle and remotely via video calls anywhere in the UK.
Whether you prefer fully online services, in-person consultations or the convenience of virtual meetings, I'm here to provide expert will writing and estate planning services tailored to your needs, regardless of your location. Standard wills start at £59.00 per person for online only services or fully advised services from £175.00 for a single will and joint wills from £240, so get in touch to book your appointment today, and let's start planning your future together.
Client Stories
How I've Earned Their Trust
I choose Kat's Wills because it mentioned special needs - I needed something put into place for my son and did not know where to start... Kat's Wills explained my options and thoroughly went through everything... a lovely lady who put me at ease straight away. Would recommend to everybody.
GILLIAN H.
Very professional and experienced, affordable will writer. I am delighted with mine, thank you.