Together We Plan provides clear, professional Wills and estate planning for families in Tavistock, Devon and Cornwall.
Whether you simply need to make a Will or have more comprehensive planning needs, we'll help you understand your options and put the right arrangements in place to protect your family, your assets and future generations.
✔ Clear, fixed fees
✔ Home, video and face-to-face appointments
✔ Plain English, not legal jargon
✔ Advice based on your circumstances
We don't believe in making things more complicated than they need to be.
Before we talk about Wills or trusts, we want to understand your circumstances.
What do you want to happen to your assets after you die (or after both of you die) ? Are there particular people you want to provide for? Is there anything about your family circumstances that needs to be taken into account? Is there anyone you need to protect? Are you worried about care fees? Is inheritance tax an issue on your estate? Is inheritance tax on a beneficiary's estate something we need to think about?
Once we understand those things, we can explain what options are available and why you might want to consider them.
Sometimes, a straightforward Will is all that is needed - sometimes, there is more to think about.
A Will is an important part of making sure your wishes are known, but it doesn't necessarily deal with every aspect of planning for your family and your assets.
You may also need to think about what happens if you become unable to make decisions for yourself. That's where a Lasting Power of Attorney can be so important.
Martin Lewis, the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, has spoken extensively about the importance of Lasting Powers of Attorney and has also highlighted the importance of Wills and Will trusts.
His message is a sensible one: don't wait until something happens before putting the right arrangements in place.
We would say the same.
There isn't a single answer that works for everyone.
For one person, making a Will may be enough. For another, a trust may be appropriate. Someone else may need to think about inheritance tax, succession planning or how their assets should pass to their children and future generations.
Our job is not to tell you that you need something simply because it is available.
Our job is to explain what you could do, why you might want to do it and what the consequences are, so that you can decide.
We believe that good planning starts with a conversation.
We'll listen to what you have to say, explain the options and answer your questions. We'll tell you when something is worth considering and, just as importantly, when it isn't.
You don't need to understand the law before you speak to us. That's our job.
And you don't need to make a decision simply because we've explained an option to you.
We want you to leave the conversation understanding what you can do, why you might want to do it, and what is likely to be right for you and your family.
That's what we mean by clear, straightforward Wills and estate planning.
When it comes to estate planning, every family is different. Some simply need a professionally drafted Will, while others benefit from more comprehensive planning. Our plans are designed to give you the right level of support, without paying for services you don't need. Find out more...
Whether you are putting plans in place for the first time or reviewing existing arrangements, we help you make confident decisions about protecting your family, your assets and your future.
We regularly help clients who:
✓ Want a clear plan that reflects their wishes
✓ Want to protect their family and the assets they have built
✓ Want confidence that their inheritance reaches the people they choose
✓ Need trusted people to be able to act if they cannot make decisions themselves
✓ Want professional guidance without legal confusion
We make the process simple, clear and tailored to your circumstances.
We take time to understand your family, your priorities and what you want to achieve.
We explain everything in plain English and recommend the level of planning that is right for you.
We prepare the appropriate documents to put your plan into action, including wills, lasting powers of attorney and trust planning where appropriate.
Everything is checked carefully, explained clearly and completed correctly. Secure storage options are also available.
Take our free 2-minute Protection Assessment to discover which level of protection planning may be appropriate for your circumstances.
Whether you're simply looking to put a Will in place, want protection for your family during your lifetime, or have concerns about protecting inheritance for future generations, our assessment can help you identify the areas worth considering.
People choose Together We Plan because they want clear advice and confidence that the people and assets they care about are properly protected.
✓ Friendly, professional guidance
✓ Clear explanations without jargon
✓ Personal support throughout the process
✔ Member of the Society of Will Writers
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We needed a new Will set up but wasn't sure exactly what was needed. Together We Plan helped me find the right Will and then put it all together for us. Very happy customer.
Adam Robinson
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Used TWP for my Wills and LPA. All worked really well, smooth process, professional and knowledgeable throughout. Great service.
Jonathan Peek
If you want clear guidance on protecting your family, your assets and your future, we’re here to help.
There is no pressure and no obligation, just straightforward advice to help you understand your options and make the right decision for you and your family.
(Explore more on our dedicated FAQs page)
Many people assume that everything automatically passes to their husband, wife or civil partner when they die, but this is not always the case.
While marriage does provide certain legal protections under the Rules of Intestacy in England and Wales, there are limits to what can be passed automatcially and a Will allows you to clearly set out your wishes and helps ensure your estate passes in the way you intend.
A Will can also help you:
appoint guardians for children
protect assets for your family
reduce the risk of disputes
include trusts where appropriate
make the administration of your estate simpler for loved ones
Read more about the Rules of Intestacy that control who inherits what without a Will.
If you die without a valid Will in the UK, your estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy.
These rules decide:
who inherits your assets
how much they receive
and in what order
This may not reflect your personal wishes.
For example:
unmarried partners do not automatically inherit everything
stepchildren are not usually recognised under intestacy rules
family members may face delays and additional legal complications
Making a Will gives you control over who benefits from your estate and who manages matters after your death.
Read more about the Rules of Intestacy that control who inherits what without a Will.
Unmarried couples and cohabiting partners do not have any automatic inheritance rights under UK intestacy rules.
This means that if you die without a Will, your partner may not automatically inherit your:
property, unless owned jointly (explore more about property ownership)
savings
possessions
or share of the estate
In some cases, this can create financial difficulties and legal uncertainty for surviving partners.
A properly drafted Will can help ensure your wishes are clearly recorded and your partner is protected.
Read more about the Rules of Intestacy that control who inherits what without a Will.
Mirror Wills are two similar Wills, typically created by couples.
They usually reflect each other’s wishes and commonly leave assets:
to each other first
and then to children or other chosen beneficiaries
Mirror Wills are often used by:
married couples
civil partners
long-term partners
Although they are similar, each person still has their own separate Will which can usually be updated independently if circumstances change.
Read more about Mirror Wills
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint people you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make decisions yourself in the future....and the important difference is they are only useful whilst you are alive - a Will comes into play ONLY after you die.
There are two types of LPA:
Property & Financial Affairs
Health & Welfare
Without LPAs in place, loved ones may need to apply to the Court of Protection to manage matters on your behalf, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
Many people choose to put LPAs in place alongside their Will as part of wider estate planning.
Read more about Lasting Powers of Attorney in Devon & Cornwall
In some circumstances, it may be possible to use trusts or other forms of estate planning to help protect assets for children and future generations.
This is called a Protective Will and will help:
control how assets are managed
protect vulnerable beneficiaries
provide flexibility for future circumstances
or help preserve family wealth
The right approach depends on your individual circumstances, family situation and long-term wishes.
This is why obtaining clear guidance before putting plans in place can be so important.
We can help you find out if a Protective Wil is right for you : Click to try our Free Will Type Assessment
Not necessarily. A spouse does not automatically inherit everything if the person who died left a valid Will. The distribution of assets will depend on the instructions contained within the Will.
A Will allows the person making it to decide who inherits their estate, which may include their spouse, children, other family members, friends, or charities. While many people choose to leave most or all of their estate to their spouse, they are not legally required to do so.
However, spouses and civil partners do have certain legal rights. If a surviving spouse believes they have not been adequately provided for, they may be able to make a claim against the estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.
If there is no Will, different rules apply. Under the rules of intestacy in England and Wales, a spouse or civil partner will usually inherit a significant proportion of the estate, but not always the entire estate, particularly where children are involved.
Because every family situation is different, making a properly drafted Will is the best way to ensure your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are protected.