Wills Solicitors in Bristol

A Will is a legal document that sets out how you want your estate to be distributed after you die. It lets you name the people you trust to carry out your wishes, appoint guardians for young children, and make sure your assets reach the people you care about most.

At Lyons Solicitors, we help individuals and families across Bristol, North and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire put clear, legally valid Wills in place. Whether you’re making your first Will, planning for a more complex estate, or reviewing an existing document, our specialist Wills and probate team is here to guide you.

Our team includes Anna O’Hara, a solicitor and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), with specialist expertise across all aspects of Wills, trusts and estate planning. We have offices in Westbury-on-Trym, Kingswood and Chew Magna, so professional Will writing is accessible to clients right across the Bristol area.

Book your Wills consultation in Bristol

We offer a free first consultation to answer any questions you might have about making or updating a Will and to help you understand your options.

To book a free initial consultation with our Wills solicitors in Chew Magna, Kingswood or Westbury-on-Trym, please get in touch today. You can use the contact details for each office or fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side of the page to request a call back.

Why you need a professionally drafted Will

Many people put off making a Will, but having one in place is one of the most important things you can do to protect your loved ones.

Without a valid Will, your estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy. These follow a fixed legal order and may not reflect your actual wishes. A cohabiting partner, for example, has no automatic right to inherit under intestacy, regardless of how long you’ve been together.

A professionally drafted Will also lets you:

Name executors you trust to administer your estate.
Appoint guardians for any children under 18.
Leave specific gifts of money, property or possessions to named individuals.
Include charitable donations.
Record your funeral wishes.
Put provisions in place to reduce your inheritance tax liability.

A DIY or online Will may seem convenient, but even small errors in wording or execution can render it invalid or lead to unintended consequences. Using a solicitor means your Will is properly drafted, witnessed and stored.

Our Wills services in Bristol

We work with a wide range of clients and circumstances. Our solicitors will take the time to understand your situation and recommend the right approach for you.

Single and mirror Wills

A single Will is prepared for one individual. Mirror Wills are a pair of Wills for two people, typically a couple, whose wishes largely reflect each other’s. For example, each partner leaves everything to the other, with the same beneficiaries named if both were to die at the same time.

Mirror Wills are a practical and cost-effective option for many couples, though we’ll always advise you on whether they suit your specific circumstances.

Wills with Trust provisions

Some clients want greater control over how and when their estate is distributed. In these cases, we can build a Trust into your Will. A Trust can protect assets for children until they reach a certain age, provide for a vulnerable beneficiary, or ringfence assets in the event of a future remarriage.

You can read more about our Trusts advice and administration service.

Wills with inheritance tax planning

Inheritance tax (IHT) is charged at 40% on the value of an estate above the current threshold. With careful planning, it may be possible to reduce the amount of IHT your estate pays, leaving more for the people you love.

Our solicitors can advise on the use of exemptions, reliefs and Trusts within your Will to help manage your IHT position. You can also find out more about our dedicated inheritance tax advice service.

Wills for business owners

If you own a business or a share in one, your Will needs to account for what happens to that interest after your death. We can advise on business relief, succession planning, and how to make sure your wishes are properly reflected in both your Will and any relevant business agreements.

Wills protecting vulnerable beneficiaries

If a beneficiary is disabled, has care needs, or struggles to manage money, a straightforward gift in a Will may not serve their best interests. We can include provisions such as a Discretionary Trust, giving Trustees the flexibility to provide for that person in a way that protects both them and any means-tested benefits they receive.

Updating or revoking an existing Will

Life changes, and your Will should keep pace. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a change in your financial position, or the death of a named beneficiary can all affect whether your existing Will still reflects your wishes.

We can review your current Will, advise on what changes are needed, and prepare either a new document or a formal amendment known as a codicil. As a general guide, we’d recommend reviewing your Will every three to five years.

How the Will-writing process works with Lyons

Making a Will with us is a clear, straightforward process:

Free initial consultation: We’ll discuss your circumstances, assets and wishes, and advise on the right type of Will for you.
Drafting: We’ll prepare a draft Will for your review, explaining each clause in plain language so you understand exactly what it means.
Review and approval: Once you’re happy with the draft, we’ll confirm the final version is ready for signing.
Execution: Your Will must be signed in the presence of two independent witnesses. We’ll guide you through this step to make sure everything is done correctly.
Storage: We’ll store your original Will securely and free of charge, and provide you with a copy to keep at home.

Wills fees: transparent, fixed-price pricing

We believe you should know exactly what you’ll pay before any work begins. Our Wills, probate and LPA fees are transparent and fixed, with single Wills starting from £250 plus VAT. The right fee for your situation depends on the complexity of your estate and the type of Will you need. We’ll discuss costs clearly at your initial consultation, with no surprises.

Safe Will storage

Once your Will is signed, keeping it safe is essential. If the original can’t be found after your death, it may be treated as though it never existed.

We store Wills securely and free of charge for all clients, and we’ll give you a copy to keep at home. If you’ve made a Will elsewhere and want to transfer storage to us, we’re happy to help.

Why choose Lyons Solicitors for your Will

Local expertise: We’ve served clients across Bristol, North and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire for many years, from our three offices in Westbury-on-Trym, Kingswood and Chew Magna.
Specialist knowledge: Anna O’Hara is a qualified TEP, a specialist accreditation awarded by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and recognised as a mark of expertise in Wills, Trusts and estates.
A full service: Alongside Wills, we offer powers of attorney, probate, Trusts, inheritance tax planning and contentious probate services.
Accessible and flexible: We offer home visits for clients who are unable to travel, as well as video conferencing and out-of-hours appointments where possible. All three offices have free parking nearby.

Wills FAQs

How much does a Will cost with a solicitor in the UK?

The cost varies depending on complexity. At Lyons Solicitors, single Wills start from £250 plus VAT. You can view our full pricing on our Wills, probate and LPA fees page, or we’ll go through this with you at your free initial consultation.

Do I need a solicitor to write a Will?

There’s no legal requirement to use a solicitor, but it’s strongly advisable. A solicitor ensures your Will is properly drafted, uses the correct legal wording, and is executed in a way that makes it valid. Errors in a DIY or online Will can lead to it being challenged or declared invalid, causing significant distress for your family.

How long does it take to make a Will with Lyons?

Most straightforward Wills can be drafted and signed within two to three weeks of your initial consultation. More complex Wills, particularly those involving trusts or inheritance tax planning, may take a little longer. We’ll give you a clear timeline from the outset.

What happens if I die without a Will in England?

If you die without a valid Will, you’re said to have died intestate. Your estate is then distributed according to the rules of intestacy, which follow a strict legal order. Unmarried partners, step-children and close friends have no automatic entitlement under these rules, and the outcome may be very different from what you would have wanted.

What are mirror Wills and are they right for couples?

Mirror Wills are two separate Wills, one for each partner, that broadly reflect the same wishes. They’re a popular choice for couples who want to leave everything to each other and then to the same beneficiaries. They’re not right for every situation, particularly where there are children from previous relationships or where asset protection is a priority, and we’ll advise you accordingly.

Where should I store my Will once it is signed?

Your original Will should be stored somewhere safe and easily accessible to your executors. We store Wills free of charge for all of our clients and also provide a copy for you to keep at home. Make sure your executors know where the original is held.

Can I update or change my Will?

Yes. You can update your Will at any time by making a new Will or by adding a formal amendment called a codicil. It’s worth reviewing your Will after any significant life event, such as marriage, divorce or the birth of a child. Note that marriage automatically revokes an existing Will in England and Wales, unless the Will was made in contemplation of that marriage.

Do you offer home visits if I cannot get to your office?

Yes. We understand that some clients are unable to travel to one of our offices, whether due to age, illness or mobility. We offer home visits across Bristol and the surrounding areas, as well as video conferencing appointments. Please let us know when you get in touch and we’ll arrange something suitable for you.

Speak to our Bristol Wills solicitors today

We offer a free first consultation to answer any questions you might have about making or updating a Will and to help you understand your options.

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