Nobody likes thinking about making a Will, but without one, you don’t control where your money and property end up, and your family could be left dealing with unnecessary stress and expense at an already difficult time. Our Will writing solicitors help you get everything sorted properly, so your loved ones are protected and your wishes are crystal clear.
Call us on 0330 111 3131 or get in touch via our online enquiry form. We’ll give you straightforward advice on where you stand and what it’s likely to cost.
What is a Will writing service?
A Will writing service is where a solicitor takes your instructions, explains your options, and drafts a legally valid Will that reflects your actual wishes, then makes sure it’s properly signed and witnessed. It’s different from a DIY or online Will, since a solicitor checks for problems you might not think to ask about.
It’s not a legal requirement to use a solicitor to write your Will, but we’d strongly urge you to. We deal with plenty of disputes around Wills from families where something wasn’t done to the standard expected, whether that’s a Will that wasn’t witnessed correctly or one that didn’t account for a change in circumstances. Getting it right the first time is far cheaper than sorting out a problem later.
What should your Will actually cover?
A good Will does more than just say who gets what. It’s worth thinking through:
Who inherits: Not just the big items, but savings, personal possessions and anything you’d want to go to a specific person.
Who looks after your children: If you have children under 18, naming a guardian avoids that decision being left to the court.
Who administers your estate: Your executor deals with the practical work after you die, so choose someone you trust to see it through.
Provisions for a blended family: If you have children from a previous relationship, or a new partner, a Will can balance both without leaving anyone out.
Inheritance tax planning: The right structure can reduce the tax bill your family eventually faces, see our inheritance tax solicitors
The Will writing process step by step
We keep the process straightforward, however complex your circumstances are.
Initial conversation: We talk through your family, your assets, and what you actually want to happen, in plain English.
Drafting your Will: We prepare a draft that reflects your wishes and flag anything that might cause problems later, such as an unclear gift or a missing contingency.
Review and sign-off: You check the draft and ask any questions before we finalise it.
Signing and witnessing: We make sure your Will is signed and witnessed correctly, since mistakes here can invalidate the whole document.
Complex Will arrangements
Not every Will is straightforward, and that’s fine. We regularly draft Wills that account for a range of beneficiaries and Trusts, provisions for children or dependants from a previous relationship, business assets that need to be dealt with separately, and gifts to charity. Where a client has particular communication needs, for example autism, ADHD or another neurodivergent condition, we take the time to adapt our approach so the process feels manageable. See our Wills and Probate support for neurodiverse clients page for more information.
Reviewing your Will over time
A Will should be reviewed after any significant change in your life: marriage, divorce, a new child, a house move, or a change in your finances. Marriage automatically revokes an earlier Will made before the wedding, unless it was specifically written in contemplation of that marriage.
We’d generally suggest reviewing your Will every few years even without a specific trigger, just to check it still reflects what you’d actually want. It’s a quick conversation, and far better than an out-of-date Will causing problems for your family later. Divorce doesn’t revoke a Will the way marriage does, but it does cancel out any gift or appointment naming your former spouse, so it’s worth checking your Will straight after rather than assuming it still works as intended.
Will writing solicitors in Manchester, Sale and Chester
We help clients write Wills across Manchester, Sale and Chester, as well as clients further afield across the UK and overseas. We’re happy to meet at one of our offices or, where that’s easier, arrange a home visit.
Our offices in Manchester, Sale and Chester are open for face-to-face meetings, and we work with clients across the UK and overseas, with appointments available at our other locations in London, Liverpool, Leeds, York and Sheffield when that’s more convenient for you.
Why choose Slater Heelis for Will writing
We’ve been advising families across the North West for over 250 years, and we’re listed in The Times Best Law Firms for 2026 and recognised by The Legal 500 as one of the leading firms in the North West.
Straight-talking advice: No jargon, no hedging, just a clear explanation of your options and what they’re likely to cost.
Genuinely experienced team: Alex Sealy leads our Wills, Trusts and Probate team, and several of our Private Client partners are members of STEP and Solicitors for the Elderly.
Rated by real clients: Over 1,900 five-star reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 average rating on ReviewSolicitors.
Local roots, national reach: Based in Manchester, Sale and Chester, and advising clients across the UK and overseas, with appointment-only offices in London, Liverpool, Leeds, York and Sheffield.
Ready to write or update your Will?
A conversation with our team costs nothing and puts you in control. Call us on 0330 111 3131, or get in touch via our online enquiry form.
Our offices in Manchester, Sale and Chester are open for face-to-face meetings, and we also work with clients across the UK, with meetings at other locations available by appointment. We’ll keep you informed, explain everything clearly, and make sure your will does exactly what you need it to do – giving you peace of mind and protecting your loved ones.
"Paul was very helpful and knowledgeable as we were reviewing our wills.
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John
"Our wills were not straightforward - Fakhruddin and his team were very patient and helpful with our questions and various delays from our side."
Tessa
"Clear advice provided, knowledgeable solicitor and seamless process."
Justin and Justine
If you die without a will (known as dying “intestate”), the law decides who gets what from your property, savings, life insurance and possessions. Your spouse or civil partner don’t automatically inherit everything, and unmarried partners get nothing at all under intestacy rules.
Making a will ensures your wishes are followed and can reduce inheritance tax for your family. Our wills and probate solicitors in Manchester, Sale and Chester can help you protect your assets and make proper provisions for your family, whether your situation is straightforward or more complex.
Do I need a solicitor to write a will?
To ensure you have a Will that is correctly made, witnessed and legally bound, it is strongly advised that you use the services of a solicitor.
While it is not a legal requirement to have a solicitor write your Will, we urge you to do so as we deal with many instances of disputes around Wills from those who have, for one reason or another, not been to the expectations of the inheriting family members.
Many ‘DIY’ style Wills may seem cheap and easy from the outset, but when there are complex matters within families, these can often be overlooked and lead to disagreements between remaining family members and friends. Often, these cases involve spending a lot of money to resolve such disputes by trying to determine what was intended in the Will.
What makes a will legally valid?
To make a Will valid, the following rules must apply:
The individual is over 18 years of age, of sound mind and capable of making decisions for themselves.
The document must be made voluntarily and in writing.
It must be signed by the individual with two present witnesses who must also sign in the individual’s presence. The witnesses cannot be beneficiaries.
How much does it cost to write a will?
To write a will that is legally binding and considers all aspects of your estate, you can expect to pay a few hundred pounds. In simple circumstances with mirror Wills for a couple, it may start from £725 plus VAT – this would be in total, not per person.
When should I update my will?
Update your will after major life changes: marriage, divorce, having children, buying property, or starting a business. Marriage automatically revokes existing wills. We recommend reviewing your will every five years even without changes, as circumstances and tax rules evolve.
What's the difference between a will and probate?
A will states your wishes for after you die. Probate is the legal process of administering your estate – proving the will’s validity, paying debts, and distributing assets. Even with a will, your executors usually need to apply for probate to access your assets.
Can I leave someone out of my Will?
Generally, yes, but certain people, such as a spouse, child, or someone financially dependent on you, may be able to make a claim against your estate if they feel inadequately provided for. See our contentious Probate solicitors page for more on this.
What happens if my Will isn't witnessed correctly?
It can be invalidated entirely, meaning your estate would be dealt with as if you had no Will at all. This is one of the most common reasons DIY Wills run into trouble, and it’s easily avoided with proper legal advice.
Can I change my Will after it's signed?
Yes, either by making a new Will or adding a formal codicil for minor changes. For anything significant, we’d usually recommend a new Will rather than multiple codicils, to keep things clear.
What happens to my Will if I get married?
Marriage automatically revokes any earlier Will, unless it was specifically written to anticipate that marriage. If you’re planning to marry, it’s worth writing your Will with that in mind, or updating it straight after.
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