Together We Plan Solid Foundations for You and Your Family
Together We Plan Solid Foundations for You and Your Family
If you're need to Make a Will, put Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) in place, or want to explore Trusts we will help you understand the most suitable solution for your circumstances
Our membership of the Society of Will Writers means our work is carried out to recognised professional standards and is fully insured, giving you additional peace of mind.
We provide home visits throughout Devon and Cornwall, or can work with you by video call or telephone and have also created a free Find My Will Type Assessment so you can explore your options yourself.
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
Used TWP for my Wills and LPA. All worked really well, smooth process, professional and knowledgeable throughout. Great service.
Jonathan Peek
You don’t need to know the legal details before you start.
Most of the time people are just trying to understand things like:
what type of Will they actually need
how to make sure things are set up properly for their family
what needs to be included and what doesn’t
That’s the bit we help make clearer.
If you’re unsure what you need, our Will Type Assessment is the simple and quick way for you to get a feel of what may be right for you and your family and so you can get clarity before making any decisions or committing to anything.
You can contact us directly or use the free online assessment, if you’d prefer to explore things first - click below to get started finding your Will Type.
Making a Will or putting Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) in place is something most people know they should do, yet it is surprisingly easy to put off.
For many families across Devon and Cornwall, estate planning can feel:
More complicated than it needs to be
Time-consuming to organise
Unclear in terms of what Type of Will is actually appropriate
Difficult to compare due to very different advice and pricing
As a result, many people delay making a Will for months, sometimes years.
Unfortunately, delaying can create serious problems later for the people you care about most.
Without the right plans in place:
Your assets may not pass to the people you intended
Your family will face unnecessary delays, legal complications and additional costs
Important decisions about your finances will be made by the state
There is no single type of Will that suits everyone.
The right planning depends on:
Your family circumstances
Whether you own property
Your assets and financial situation
Whether you have children
How you would like matters handled in the future
That is why we start with simple, clear guidance.
Our free 2-minute Will Assessment helps you better understand the type of planning that may be suitable for your circumstances.
You can explore with no obligation, no pressure and no confusing legal jargon - or you can just call us.
(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.
How a Will Trust protects assets from leaving your bloodline or being taken in care fees
The essential legal document that allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity
Designed to avoid Probate and defend challenges to your assets