What's the difference between just writing a will and doing full estate planning in the UK?

A will simply states who inherits your assets when you die, while full estate planning also covers powers of attorney, trusts, tax planning and care fee protection to manage your affairs during your lifetime and after.

I want to sort out my will and my wider estate at the same time — where do I start in the UK?

The best starting point is a single consultation that reviews your assets, family circumstances and wishes together, so your will, any trusts, tax planning and powers of attorney are drafted to work as one coordinated plan.

Do I need a solicitor, or can a will writing company handle my whole estate plan in the UK?

A specialist will writing company can handle a full estate plan just as thoroughly as a solicitor, provided its advisers are properly qualified and regulated, often at a lower cost and with more time given to your circumstances.

What documents make up a complete estate plan in the UK, not just a will?

A complete UK estate plan typically includes a will, a lasting power of attorney for property and finance, a lasting power of attorney for health and welfare, a letter of wishes, and any trust deeds needed for tax or asset protection.

I'm getting older and want to get my affairs in order — what's involved in UK estate and will planning?

Getting your affairs in order in later life usually means writing or updating your will, setting up lasting powers of attorney, reviewing your estate for inheritance tax exposure, and considering asset protection against care costs.

How often should I review my will and estate plan in the UK?

You should review your will and estate plan at least every three to five years, and immediately after any major life event such as marriage, divorce, a new child, or a significant change in your assets.

What's included in a full wills and estate planning package in the UK?

A full wills and estate planning package usually covers your will, lasting powers of attorney, inheritance tax planning, trust advice where appropriate, and a review of how your assets are held and who benefits from them.

Can one company handle my will, trust, and estate planning together in the UK?

Yes, many specialist providers can handle your will, trusts and wider estate planning together under one plan, which keeps everything consistent and stops the documents from contradicting each other.

What should I bring to my first wills and estate planning appointment in the UK?

For a first wills and estate planning appointment, bring details of your assets and debts, any existing wills or trust documents, ID, and a list of who you'd like to benefit and who you'd like as executors or attorneys.

What exactly is asset protection planning and how is it different from just having a will?

Asset protection planning uses trusts and other legal structures during your lifetime to shield assets such as your home from care fees, creditors or remarriage, whereas a will only takes effect after you die.

How much of my estate can asset protection planning actually help me keep for my family?

How much asset protection planning can protect depends on your assets, family situation and the structures used, but a well-designed plan can shield a significant share of your home and savings from means-tested care costs.

Is asset protection planning worth it if I don't have a huge estate?

Asset protection planning can still be worthwhile without a large estate, particularly if you own your home outright, since even a modest property can be at risk from care fees or family circumstances.

Can asset protection planning help if I'm worried about care home fees eating into my house?

Yes, certain asset protection structures, such as placing your home in a trust while you're still capable, can help protect its value from being used to fund means-tested care home fees.

What's the process for setting up an asset protection plan in the UK?

Setting up an asset protection plan typically involves an initial review of your assets and goals, advice on suitable trust structures, drafting the legal documents, and formally transferring the relevant assets into the plan.

How does asset protection planning work if I want to pass wealth down to my grandchildren?

Asset protection planning can pass wealth to grandchildren by placing assets in a trust that names them as beneficiaries, controlling when and how they receive it while keeping it outside your estate for other purposes.

Is asset protection planning legal, or is it a way of avoiding tax I shouldn't be doing?

Asset protection planning is legal when it uses recognised trust structures and is set up in good time, well before any care needs arise, but it must be done properly to avoid being challenged as deliberate deprivation of assets.

What happens to my asset protection plan if my circumstances change later in life?

If your circumstances change after setting up an asset protection plan, most trust structures can be adjusted by the trustees, though some decisions may be limited once assets have been formally transferred into the trust.

How is asset protection planning priced compared to setting up a trust myself?

Professional asset protection planning typically costs more upfront than setting up a trust yourself, but it reduces the risk of errors that could make the trust ineffective or open to challenge later.

Is a £19 will actually a proper legal document in the UK?

Yes, a will costing £19 can be a fully valid legal document in the UK, provided it's properly signed, dated and witnessed in line with the Wills Act 1837, regardless of the price paid to produce it.

What's missing from a very basic, cheap will compared to a full one?

A very basic will usually leaves out provisions like trusts for young beneficiaries, tax planning, guardianship detail, or protection against care fees and remarriage, which a fuller will can include.

Can I upgrade from a basic will to a fuller one later without starting again?

Yes, you can usually upgrade from a basic will to a fuller one later, either by adding a codicil for minor changes or writing a new will that revokes the old one for anything more substantial.

Is it worth paying more for a will, or is a basic one enough for most people?

A basic will is enough for straightforward situations, such as a single person with no property or dependants, but paying more is usually worthwhile once you own property, have children, or want tax or care fee protection.

What's the catch with really cheap will writing services in the UK?

The main catch with very cheap will writing services is that they may offer limited advice, use generic templates, or upsell essential extras like storage and updates, so it's worth checking exactly what's included.

How quickly can I get a basic will sorted in the UK?

A basic will can typically be drafted and ready to sign within a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how quickly you provide your details and confirm the wording.

Is a simple, low-cost will enough if I don't own property yet?

A simple, low-cost will is usually sufficient if you don't yet own property, since your estate planning needs become more complex once you have assets like a home, savings, or dependants to provide for.

What should a single person with no dependants expect to pay for a will in the UK?

A single person with no dependants can typically expect to pay from around £19 to £150 for a straightforward will in the UK, depending on the provider and the level of advice included.

Do I need anything more than a basic will if my estate is fairly small?

If your estate is fairly small and your wishes are simple, a basic will is often enough, though it's still worth checking it correctly appoints executors and covers guardianship if you have children.

What counts as an 'affordable' will in the UK and what should I actually expect for the price?

An 'affordable' will in the UK generally costs between £19 and £150 and should still include proper legal drafting, correct execution guidance, and advice tailored to your circumstances, not just a blank template.

Are affordable will writing services in the UK as reliable as expensive solicitors?

Affordable will writing services can be just as reliable as solicitors, provided they're written by qualified, regulated professionals; price mainly reflects overheads and service style rather than the document's legal validity.

Can I get a mirror will with my partner without paying for two separate services?

Yes, most providers offer a mirror will service for couples at a combined price lower than two separate wills, since the documents are largely reciprocal and drafted together.

What's a fair price to pay for a will as a couple in the UK?

A fair price for a straightforward pair of mirror wills in the UK typically falls between £30 and £250 combined, depending on the provider and whether any trusts or extra advice are included.

Do affordable will writing companies in the UK still offer proper legal advice, not just a template?

Reputable affordable will writing companies still provide proper legal advice alongside the document itself, rather than just a template, though it's worth confirming this before choosing a provider.

How do I know if a cheap will writing service is trustworthy in the UK?

You can check a cheap will writing service is trustworthy by looking for membership of a recognised body such as the Institute of Professional Willwriters or the Society of Will Writers, clear pricing, and independent reviews.

Can I get an affordable will written without going into an office?

Yes, most affordable will providers now offer the whole process remotely, by phone, video call or online questionnaire, so you don't need to visit an office to have a will written.

What's the typical turnaround time for an affordable will service in the UK?

The typical turnaround for an affordable will service in the UK is around one to two weeks from providing your details to receiving your final documents for signing.

Is it cheaper to update an existing will than write a new one in the UK?

Updating an existing will with a codicil is usually cheaper than writing a new one, though for significant changes a new will is often recommended to avoid confusion between documents.

I split my time between the UK and another country — do I need two wills?

If you split your time between the UK and another country, you generally need a separate will for each jurisdiction where you hold assets, drafted so they don't accidentally cancel each other out.

What happens to my UK assets if I only have a will from the country I currently live in?

If you only have a will from your country of residence, your UK assets may still be distributed according to it, but foreign wills aren't always recognised smoothly by UK institutions and can slow down probate.

How do international wills deal with property I own in more than one country?

International wills deal with property in multiple countries either through separate wills for each jurisdiction or a single will drafted to be recognised abroad, depending on the countries involved and their inheritance laws.

Do I need a separate will for each country I own property in, or can one document cover it all?

In most cases you need a separate will for each country where you own property, though a well-drafted international will can sometimes cover multiple jurisdictions if the countries' laws allow it.

What's the risk of not having a proper international will if I'm a UK expat?

Without a proper international will, UK expats risk their estate being distributed under a foreign country's default inheritance rules, delays to probate, and higher legal costs for their family.

Can an international will avoid the need for separate probate in each country?

An international will can reduce, but not always avoid, the need for separate probate processes, since many countries still require their own local grant to release assets held there.

How much does it cost to get an international will drafted properly in the UK?

An international will drafted properly in the UK typically costs more than a standard will, often from around £200 upwards, reflecting the extra research and coordination needed across jurisdictions.

I inherited property abroad — does that affect what kind of will I need?

Yes, inheriting property abroad usually means you need a will, or an update to your existing will, that specifically addresses that country's inheritance rules to avoid conflicts with your UK will.

What should returning UK expats do about their will when they come back permanently?

Returning UK expats should review their existing wills as soon as they resettle, since a will drafted for life abroad may no longer reflect UK tax rules, domicile status, or their current assets.

How does a Shariah-compliant will differ from a standard UK will?

A Shariah-compliant will follows Islamic inheritance rules, allocating fixed shares to specific relatives, while a standard UK will lets you distribute your estate however you choose, within UK legal limits.

Will a Shariah-compliant will still be legally recognised by UK courts?

Yes, a Shariah-compliant will is legally recognised by UK courts provided it's drafted and executed in line with the Wills Act 1837, since English law allows you to choose how your estate is distributed.

Can I combine Islamic inheritance rules with UK inheritance tax planning in one will?

Yes, a Shariah-compliant will can be combined with UK inheritance tax planning, using reliefs such as spousal exemptions and gifting alongside the fixed Islamic inheritance shares.

What happens if I die without a Shariah-compliant will as a Muslim living in the UK?

If you die without a Shariah-compliant will, UK intestacy rules apply instead, which don't follow Islamic inheritance shares and may not reflect your religious wishes.

How do I make sure my will follows both Islamic law and UK legal requirements?

To ensure your will follows both Islamic law and UK legal requirements, it should be drafted by someone experienced in both areas and properly signed and witnessed under the Wills Act 1837.

Can a Shariah-compliant will include a guardian for my children under UK law?

Yes, a Shariah-compliant will can appoint a legal guardian for your children under UK law, in the same way as a standard will.

About Us - Abacus Wills & Trusts

About Tehsin Aslam

Giving you peace of mind
for a secure future

Born in Sialkot, Pakistan, Tehsin Aslam moved to England at a young age, where her ambition and resilience shaped her journey. After facing personal challenges as a single mother of two, she worked multiple jobs while pursuing a Master’s in Social Work specializing in Child Protection.

In the early 2000s, Tehsin transitioned into Will Writing and Estate Planning, quickly rising to the top of her field. In 2004, she founded Abacus Wills & Trusts, which has since grown into a leading name in Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning. Her commitment to empowering communities extends beyond her business—she has been a television host, keynote speaker, and advocate for women’s empowerment.

Recognized for her achievements, Tehsin received the Global Entrepreneur Award at the 50th Golden Jubilee celebrations in Dubai (2022). Her story is a testament to determination, expertise, and a passion for helping others secure their future.

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