Estate Planning

Expert Estate Planning Solicitors to Protect Your Future

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Estate Planning at Woodstock Legal Services


Estate planning is about more than just making a will. It means putting arrangements in place to protect your wealth, your family and your wishes, both during your lifetime and after your death. Planning ahead can give you peace of mind and make things far easier for your loved ones. Woodstock Legal Services helps individuals and families across England and Wales plan for the future.


Our private client lawyers advise on wills, lasting powers of attorney, setting up and managing trusts, lifetime gifts, protecting assets for children and grandchildren, providing for vulnerable beneficiaries, and business succession planning.


You’ll work directly with an experienced lawyer who takes the time to understand your circumstances and goals, explains your options in plain English, and helps you build a plan that works for you and your family.


Lasting Powers of Attorney


A lasting power of attorney (LPA) lets you choose trusted people to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to do so yourself, for example through illness or an accident. Without one, your family may need to apply to the Court of Protection, which can be slow and stressful.


There are two types of LPA. One covers property and financial affairs, and the other covers health and welfare. Our lawyers explain how each works, help you choose your attorneys and set out any instructions or preferences. We then prepare the documents and register them with the Office of the Public Guardian.


Putting LPAs in place while you’re well gives you control over who acts for you, and gives your family the authority to help when it matters most.


Trusts & Protecting Your Assets


Trusts can be a useful way to protect assets for the next generation, provide for vulnerable family members or manage how and when beneficiaries receive an inheritance. They can be set up during your lifetime or through your will.


Our private client lawyers advise on whether a trust is right for you and which type would best meet your goals. We draft the trust documents and advise trustees on their duties. We also advise on lifetime gifts, protecting a business for the next generation and keeping family wealth secure. Where tax is relevant, we’ll explain the implications clearly and work alongside your accountant or financial adviser.


Whatever your plans, we’ll help you put the right structures in place to protect your family’s future.

Get in Touch With Our Private Client Team

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Estate Planning FAQs

  • What is estate planning?

    Estate planning is the process of organising your affairs so your assets are protected and pass to the people you choose, in the most effective way. It usually includes making a will and lasting powers of attorney, and may involve trusts, lifetime gifts and inheritance tax planning. A good plan is reviewed regularly as your circumstances change.

  • When should I make a lasting power of attorney?

    The best time is while you’re well and have the mental capacity to make one. An LPA can only be made while you have capacity, so leaving it too late can mean your family has to apply to the Court of Protection instead. Many people make LPAs at the same time as their will.

  • What is a trust?

    A trust is a legal arrangement where assets are held and managed by trustees for the benefit of one or more beneficiaries. Trusts can protect assets, provide for children or vulnerable relatives, and control when and how an inheritance is received. Different types of trust have different tax treatment, so specialist advice is important.

  • Can I protect my home from care home fees?

    There’s no simple way to guarantee this, and giving away assets to avoid care fees can be treated as deliberate deprivation by the local authority. However, careful planning, such as how you own your home or the use of trusts in your will, can help protect part of your estate in some circumstances. We’ll give you honest, practical advice.

  • How can I pass on my business?

    Business succession planning helps ensure your business continues smoothly and passes to the right people. It may involve updating your will, shareholder agreements and partnership documents, and considering any available tax reliefs. We work closely with our corporate team to give you joined-up advice on protecting your business for the future.

Why Choose Woodstock Legal Services?

Low Caseloads: Your Matter Gets Time

As consultants, our private client solicitors manage their own caseloads and only work for a handful of clients at any one time. Whether you’re writing a will or administering an estate, your matter gets the time, care and attention it deserves.

Proactive Updates: No Chasing

Our consultancy model means you deal directly with your lawyer, not a call centre or a rotating team. They keep you informed at every stage and are on hand to answer your questions, so you’ll never need to chase.

Advice for Individuals & Families

From wills and lasting powers of attorney to inheritance tax planning and probate, we help you protect your loved ones now and support your family later. You’ll get clear, compassionate advice in plain English, tailored to your circumstances.