This covers preparing and updating a valid will in which a person, the testator, decides how their estate should be distributed after death, and making changes to an existing will. A solicitor drafts or revises clauses about beneficiaries, gifts, executors, trusts, and any need for guardianship for dependants, and checks capacity and formal execution requirements. They also review tax implications, liaise with executors, and ensure the will can be probated smoothly when the time comes.
Why this work is usually handled by a solicitor
Solicitors provide professional safeguards against common errors in will drafting, such as invalid execution, ambiguity in gifts or trusts, or unintended intestacy. They ensure professional indemnity coverage, regulatory accountability, and proper handling of wills via secure client instructions and record keeping. They may also advise on ownership of assets, potential disputes, and future-proofing for changes in law.