Choosing between an affordable will and an international will comes down to what you own and where you own it. At Abacus Wills & Trusts, our will writing service covers both options, so you receive a document that matches your actual circumstances rather than a generic template.
This page compares the two services side by side, so you can decide which one protects your estate and your family properly, without paying for cover you do not need.
Which Will Writing is Best for You?
If your assets are in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, an affordable will is usually enough. If you own property, bank accounts, or investments abroad, an international will closes gaps that a standard UK document cannot cover.
Both are prepared by our qualified consultants who visit you at home, explain each clause in plain English, and keep your file updated for life, so you are never left guessing what your document actually means once it is signed.
What is Will Writing and Estate Planning?
Will writing and estate planning is the process of setting out, in a legally binding document, exactly what happens to your money, property, and possessions once you die. It covers guardianship for children, executor appointments, and tax planning too. At Abacus, this service ranges from a straightforward affordable will through to a detailed international will for overseas assets.
What is an Affordable Will?
An affordable will is a cost-effective, professionally drafted document for people whose assets sit mainly in the UK. It suits numerous families and covers these aspects.
- Distribution of money as well as possessions
- Guardianship arrangements for children
- Executor appointments
- Basic inheritance tax considerations
What is an International Will?
An international will addresses assets held outside the UK. It includes overseas property or holiday homes. An international will reduces the risk of double taxation alongside probate delays. Abacus advises on:
- Foreign property as well as overseas accounts
- Double taxation issues based on treaties
- Translation and legal interpretation where required
Who Needs Will Writing and Estate Planning?
Almost everyone benefits from will writing and estate planning. If you have bought your first home with a partner, had a child, remarried, or built-up savings, a bespoke will protects your wishes. Without one, the intestacy rules decide who inherits, which rarely matches what you would have chosen yourself.
Who Needs an International Will?
You need an international will if you own property, investments, or accounts abroad, including holiday homes or time-share arrangements. A UK-only will can leave these assets exposed to conflicting probate rules and unexpected tax bills in the country where they sit. An international will closes that gap and keeps your estate consistent across borders.
Who Provides the Best Will Writing and Estate Planning?
Abacus Wills & Trusts provides will writing and estate planning through qualified consultants who visit you at home, at a time that suits your day. Every will is drafted around your personal and financial circumstances rather than a fixed template, and lifetime support is included, so your document stays accurate as your life changes.
Is Will Writing and Estate Planning Affordable?
Price depends on complexity. An affordable will suits simple UK estates and costs less. An international will costs more. It reflects the extra research as well as the cross-border advice involved. Typical factors affecting price include the following.
- Number of countries holding your assets
- Complexities in families
- The need for trusts or tax planning
Affordable Wills or International Wills: Which Will Wins?
Neither service is universally better; the right choice depends on the location of your assets. Choose an affordable will for UK-only assets, or an international will if you hold property abroad. Many clients need:
- An affordable will for UK-based assets
- An international will for property held abroad
- Both, working together, for a complete estate plan
Book Your Will Writing and Estate Planning Consultation
Ready to put a proper will writing plan in place, whether your assets are entirely in the UK or spread across several countries? Our consultants come to your home, explain your options in plain English, and draft a will you can actually rely on. Call us today on +44 845 025 0111 or email info@abacuswillsandtrusts.com to book your consultation and get your estate properly protected, for yourself and for the people who depend on you.
FAQs
How Often Should Wills Be Updated?
Review your will every three to five years, or straight after major life events such as marriage, divorce, a new child, or buying property abroad. Always remember that an outdated will can leave assets distributed in ways you no longer intend.
What Happens if you Die Intestate?
Dying without a valid will means the intestacy rules decide who inherits your estate. Unmarried partners, stepchildren, and close friends receive nothing. Note that the distant relatives you barely know could inherit everything you own.
How Do Home Visits Work?
One of our consultants arranges a convenient time and comes to your home, at any point in the day, to discuss your wishes face to face. There is no need to travel or take time off work for will drafting.
What is a Codicil?
A codicil is a formal amendment. It is added to an existing will and is used to make small changes. These changes include updating an executor, adding a new beneficiary, or adjusting an address. It ensures you do not have to rewrite the entire document from scratch.