Making a Will
Get Help With Making a Will
Writing a will might not be top of our 'to do' list, however there are very good reasons why having a valid will is so important. The following page explains why we should all make a will and how our expert will writing solicitors at Osbornes Law can help.
“The agile team at Osbornes acts for a wide range of high-net-worth individuals and families in complex estate and trust litigation, advising on a wide array of contentious trust and estate matters.”
“Jan is an expert in international probate work and is praised for a sensible and pragmatic approach to cases.”
Why making a will is so important
Throughout our adult lives, we are encouraged to take the time to make a Will. This is so important, for the following reasons:
- If you die without a Will, there are rules which will dictate how your Estate (money, property, land, other possessions) should be allocated. When making a will, ensure that your wishes are very clear.
- If your current Will is poorly drafted or is out of date, there is no guarantee your assets and possessions will pass onto those people you wanted to inherit from you. This can cause more stress and perhaps financial difficulty for those left behind. Disputes relating to Wills can be costly and time-consuming to resolve.
- When writing a Will you can also state who you wish to be responsible for distributing your assets and, if needed, identify who will be the guardian of your children, if they are under 18 years of age.
- Unmarried partners and those partners who have not registered a civil partnership cannot inherit from each other unless they have a Will. Not making a Will may create serious financial problems for the remaining partner.
- You may be able to reduce the amount of inheritance tax payable if you take advice in advance of your death and a Will is prepared.
- Your circumstances may have changed, for example, you may have separated and your ex-partner is living with someone else.
Contact us today
For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811
Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you
"Commitment to the cause, willingness to go the extra mile and complete command of the area mean they always give the right advice and do the best job possible."
"They are completely committed to doing the absolute best they can for every single client. They are bright, knowledgeable and innovative."
"This team perhaps does not have the reputation in this area it ought to have. It quietly handles some very big, high profile disputes. It has an expert team to do so and provides sensible pragmatic advice to its clients."
"The agile team at Osbornes acts for a wide range of high-net-worth individuals and families in complex estate and trust litigation, advising on a wide array of contentious trust and estate matters."
"I wish to thank you for your advice, efficiency and professionalism throughout which has been greatly appreciated."
"I am proud to be a private client of Osbornes Solicitors LLP, a client of many years. I appreciate the swift and efficient work of the Private Client Department Team."
"Jan Atkinson, with her steely, steady, calming presence, instils confidence in the most highly-strung of us clients. With her masterful knowledge of the law, old and new, and its application, Jan can navigate through the most complex of cases to a successful end."
"I find Osbornes’ client-friendly approach welcoming and refreshing"
"A medium-sized London firm dealing with big litigation and doing it extremely well because of a depth of expertise and experience."
My family had the pleasure of Jan Atkinson working with us on the will and probate issues of [my mother's] estate in Camden and Ireland after she passed on last year. Jan and her assistant(s) offered us a fantastic service at a sad time.
"Jan Atkinson stands out for her wide-ranging knowledge and experience of estates; whatever problem you throw at her, she has seen it all before and is able to find a creative and sustainable solution. She has exceptional commitment to her clients and explores every avenue to find the best solution for them"
The team is very caring, experienced and detailed and was clear about the next steps and offered very helpful advice and suggestions
Jan Atkinson has extensive experience in private client matters, which underpins her excellent skills in the contentious probate area. Plus she is strong on international matters
A small but formidable team, punching above its weight. Jan Atkinson is a seasoned pro. Approachable but no push-over
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"Elspeth Neilson is very reliable and practical."
"The team frequently deals with cross-border estates for high–net-worth individuals."
"The team were extremely professional in putting my needs first. There was a joined-up approach to catering for the client, and all lawyers involved were briefed and constructive."
The situation was handled by your extremely competent, efficient hands - I would not hesitate to recommend Osbornes to others.
"Service prompt and effective. I have absolute confidence in Maggie."
I am happy with the service that I got and would recommend you to other potential clients.
I found Osbornes always very helpful and efficient.
We are very pleased with the services of Osbornes. Highly professional and through with close attention to detail.
I would highly recommend Jan Atkinson in any probate matter and Osbornes Solicitors in any other legal matters.
Jan Atkinson is a very proficient lady whom I would highly recommend to anyone involved in probates.
Thanks for all your work and explaining everything so clearly. For any legal matters in the future I would not hesitate in instructing Osbornes.
We have found your service to date as the most informative we have come across.
Osbornes Solicitors always responded promptly to any request for information I had.
“Geoffrey’s affairs were dealt with just the right combination of friendliness and professionalism, which really helped.”
Jan Atkinson is confident with a straightforward approach. Her practice covers both contentious and non-contentious matters, including wealth planning and estate administration.
I would like to thank everyone in my case for the excellent job!
Accreditations
New and Insights From our LawyersVIEW ALL
9.6.2023Will Dispute Case Law
New Births And New Relationships? Review Your Will To Avoid A Dispute You’d imagine a wealthy businessman with assets...
Read more
9.6.2023Proprietary Estoppel Case Law
On A Lick And A Promise? The First Hurdle In Proprietary Estoppel Claims Solicitors are increasingly instructed by clients who...
Read more
22.5.2023Case Law: Dementia-Induced Mild Cognitive Impairment
Dementia is a harsh reality for increasing numbers of families. Sadly, it means the disputed wills solicitors at Osbornes Law...
Read more- 26.4.2023
German Court Rules on EU Succession Regulation
Succession laws vary from country to country which historically made the administration of cross-border estates potentially complex. Since 17 August 2015, the...
Read more - 16.3.2023
Are trusts protected from divorce?
Can trusts protect an inheritance from your spouse? A trust is a separate legal entity. Neither spouse owns its assets. ...
Read more - 1.3.2023
How to prevent someone contesting a will
It is fairly rare in my experience for a parent to write a child out of their will but that...
Read more - 8.2.2023
Gifting Property to Children
Can I gift property to my children? Gifting a property to your adult children is a relatively complex transaction but...
Read more - 15.11.2022
Contentious Probate Case Studies
Contentious probate involving business assets Osbornes Law acts for the defendants to a claim issued to pronounce in favour of...
Read more - 27.10.2022
Contesting A Will Case Studies
Will dispute on grounds of lack of capacity Our contesting a will solicitors acted for the claimants, the adult daughters...
Read more - 2.8.2022
Do you need to register your trust?
The Trust Register was introduced in 2017 as part of anti-money laundering regulations. Previously, only trusts with a UK tax liability...
Read more - 19.7.2022
Beware of appointing your children as executors
Where tensions exist between family members, making your children the executors of your will can cause huge problems with probate,...
Read more 
19.1.2022Does your will deal with cross-border assets?
If you own assets in more than one country, it’s important to make a robust Will that deals effectively...
Read more- 1.1.2022
Married with children from a previous relationship – how...
There are several ways of doing this. If there are sufficient assets apart from the family home, it may be...
Read more - 18.11.2021
Family Tensions and Deputyship
Disputes between a deputy and the family of the individual concerned, can escalate and become increasingly distressing if issues are...
Read more - 18.11.2021
Particularly sensitive issues around mental capacity
Mental capacity, the right to sex and the carer’s risk of prosecution Does everyone have the right to a...
Read more 
25.10.2021Inheritance Claims CFA Success Fee Judgment
The Court of Appeal upholds the recoverability of CFA success fees in 1975 Act claims. An individual who claims reasonable provision...
Read more- 20.10.2021
Evidence Needed When Contesting A Will
‘Scrap King’ Multi-million Inheritance Dispute Confirms the High Standard of Evidence Needed to Contest a Will Gary Goodwin, son of...
Read more - 20.10.2021
Dispute Surrounding Interpretation of Will
The ‘nil rate band’ offers an incentive to testators to make their will in a tax-efficient manner, maximising the amount...
Read more 
20.10.2021Handwriting Expert Witness Concludes Will Forgery
It’s not unheard of for an individual to forge someone’s will with the aim of securing an inheritance....
Read more- 20.10.2021
Understanding Testamentary Capacity
What is testamentary capacity? Testamentary capacity refers to a person’s ability, both legally and mentally, to create a valid...
Read more - 20.10.2021
Contested Will Claim Against Estate Fails
The recent reported case of Shearer v Shearer highlights that adult children cannot expect an estate to support their affluent...
Read more - 17.9.2021
Funding of Probate disputes
Contentious Probate can be very expensive and clients often find it difficult to find the money to cover their legal...
Read more - 13.9.2021
Worldwide Probate Dispute
The deceased died in Ireland leaving very considerable wealth and assets all over the world, including England, but without leaving...
Read more - 13.9.2021
Estate administration with a value of £6million
In this international probate case, we are acting for the executors in an estate administration with a value of £6million....
Read more
Contact us today
For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811
Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you
The Wills, Probate and Disputed Estates Team View the whole team
Jan Atkinson
Partner
Wills, Probate and Disputed EstatesElspeth Neilson
Partner
Wills, Probate and Disputed EstatesJenny Walsh
Partner
Wills, Probate and Disputed EstatesFlorence Arbuthnott
Associate Solicitor
Wills, Probate and Disputed EstatesSuzanna Baker
Senior Associate
Wills, Probate and Disputed EstatesElla Coles
Paralegal
Wills, Probate and Disputed EstatesView the
whole team
