News
29 Oct 2026
Budget 2026: pensions and inheritance tax from April 2027
The Budget confirmed unused pensions count for inheritance tax from April 2027. What it means for your estate and executors.
Professional Will Writing Services
Protect the people you love with a professionally drafted, legally binding will. Our experienced will writers make sure your wishes are followed and your estate passes on exactly as you intend.
Single
Wills
A clear, legally valid will tailored to your circumstances, setting out exactly who inherits your estate and who you trust to carry out your wishes.
Mirror
Wills
Matching wills for couples and partners, giving you both the same peace of mind while keeping your individual wishes fully protected.
Trust &
Asset Protection
Add a trust to your will to protect your property and savings from divorce or unintended inheritance, keeping your wealth in the family.
Will Reviews
& Updates
Life changes, so should your will. We review and update existing wills to reflect new relationships, property, or family circumstances.
Why You Need a Will
Without a will, the intestacy rules determine who inherits your estate, and they do not distinguish between a long-term partner and a distant relative. They cannot reflect your wishes about specific belongings, charitable gifts or family circumstances. They cannot appoint a guardian for your children. And if your estate is at all complex, they can lead to disputes that damage family relationships for years.
A will gives you control. It says exactly who gets what, names the people you trust to carry out your wishes, and protects your loved ones at the most difficult time of their lives.
What Happens If You Die Without a Will?
Dying without a will is called dying intestate. Section 46 of the Administration of Estates Act 1925 then decides who inherits your estate in England and Wales not you, and not necessarily the people you'd choose.
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Married with children
Your spouse receives the first £322,000 plus all personal chattels, and half of whatever remains. Your children share the other half between them.
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Unmarried partners
Your partner receives nothing under intestacy rules, regardless of how long you've been together or how entangled your finances are.
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No living relatives
With no spouse, children, or traceable next of kin, your entire estate passes to the Crown.
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Children's inheritance
Any inheritance due to your children is held in trust until they turn 18. You cannot set a later age, however you feel about their readiness.
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Gifts outside the family
Friends, charities close to you, and stepchildren who were never formally adopted receive nothing. The rules recognise blood and marriage only.
A family business you can trust with what matters most
Honest guidance, careful planning, and a service that treats every family like our own.
50+ Years Combined Experience
Our team brings together over 50 years of combined experience in wills and estate planning, so your plans are shaped by real expertise.
Family-Run
Business
Founded and still run by the same family, we understand what’s at stake because we’ve planned for our own loved ones too.
Trusted &
Personal
You’ll deal with the same familiar face throughout, not a call centre, so everything stays personal, clear and built around you.
Professional
Standards
Every Will is carefully prepared to recognised professional standards, with clear guidance at every step.
Get in touch
Speak to a PJH adviser about your will, lasting power of attorney or inheritance tax planning. Your first consultation is free.
Wills: FAQ
Thinking about making or updating your Will? Here are answers to the questions we're asked most often. From what happens without a Will to naming guardians for your children and keeping your Will up to date.
See all Wills FAQsWithout a valid Will, your estate is shared out under the intestacy rules rather than according to your wishes. This can mean an unmarried partner, stepchildren or close friends receive nothing, and sorting out your estate can take longer and cause added stress for your family.
Not always. If you're not married or in a civil partnership, your partner has no automatic right to inherit, however long you've lived together. If you are married and have children, your spouse receives a set amount and part of the remainder, with the rest passing to your children. A Will makes sure your partner is provided for exactly as you intend.
Yes. A Will is the only way to formally appoint guardians for children under 18. Without one, the decision may be left to the courts. You can also set out how money should be held for your children until they reach an age you choose.
Yes. You are welcome to visit us at our offices, and we also offer home visits across all of our service areas at no extra charge, so you can discuss your Will in comfort. We also offer video consultations.
We typically turn around a draft Will within 7–10 working days of your consultation, depending on complexity. Once you're happy with it, we'll guide you through signing and witnessing so it's legally valid.