Private wealth lawyers

Private wealth lawyers

We'll help you plan for the future, giving you reassurance and peace of mind.

Our specialist and approachable team of private wealth lawyers can help you to put your personal affairs in order. We are here to listen to you, guide you as to the best options available and document your wishes accurately. We are compassionate to your needs and aim to provide peace of mind by offering clear advice and practical solutions. We understand that securing your family’s future is your priority.

We understand that securing your family’s future is your priority and we help a wide range of individuals including business owners looking to sort out their personal matters,  parents or grandparents looking to make gifts or loans to children, or those taking their first steps on the property ladder.   

Whether you need to make/review your will, draft powers of attorney, or discuss trusts or inheritance tax advice, we are here to support you.

We are able to meet in person or via video call — whichever suits you best. We will take time to understand your family and/or business circumstances, needs and wishes. Once we have established how we can help you, we will usually be able to give you a fixed fee quote so that there are no unwelcome surprises.

If you need to dispute a will or defend a disputed will, our dedicated team of will dispute lawyers can help.

If you need to dispute a will or defend a disputed will, our dedicated team of will dispute lawyers can help.

Schedule a call

Estate planning tool

With less than half UK adults having made a will, we do wonder whether it is the fear of the unknown, of not knowing where to start, that is a barrier to people looking to put their affairs in order.

Try our free estate planning questionnaire based on a person’s circumstances that will give you some points to consider and general information in relation to your estate planning.

Take the questionnaire

How much does it cost to make a Will?

This will vary depending on what assets you have and how you want to leave them to your family, friends and/or charity.

In our first discussion with you, we can set out your options based on your circumstances and give you a fixed price which will include storing your will for you.

What happens if someone dies without a Will?

The estate will pass to or be divided between the nearest blood relative(s) of the person who has died in accordance with a fixed set of rules known as the intestacy rules. A relative will need to apply to the court to be appointed as the Administrator to have authority to collect in and sell assets.

How do I protect my assets from a divorce?

Wills and trusts are often drafted to take account of a possible matrimonial or relationship breakdown. Trusts can be flexible and can be used to provide for an individual without giving that person a legal entitlement.

A pre-nuptial or co-habitation agreement should also be considered as a way of minimising future disputes.

How do I contest a will?

There are various ways to contest a will or question how an estate is being dealt with

This may involve checking whether a will is technically valid or whether appropriate provision has been made for a family member or dependant.

Our Disputed Wills,Trusts and Estate team will be able to assist.

Frequently asked questions

Recognised as leaders in our field in all major directories

Accredited by Chambers and Partners, Spear's 500 and the Legal 500

Testimonials

Why Weightmans?

  • Ranked in the UK’s leading legal directories Chambers & Partners UK and Legal 500 and recognised leaders in the field.

  • Members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

  • Members of Association of Lifetime Lawyers.

Our private wealth lawyers

  • Richard Bate
  • Jonathan Shankland
  • Patrick Malone
  • Sarah Louise Walker
  • Michele Wightman
  • Naomi Woods
  • Sally Cook
  • Caroline Doyle
View all experts
Photo of Richard Bate

Richard Bate

Partner

About Richard:

Richard advises clients on all aspects of estate planning including wills, trusts, family investment companies and probate matters. He has a particular specialism in tax mitigation and assisting business owners and those with more complicated family arrangements and asset structures with succession planning and wealth protection.
View profile
Photo of Jonathan Shankland

Jonathan Shankland

Partner

About Jonathan:

Jonathan heads the International Private Wealth offering at Weightmans. Jonathan is a trust, tax and estates lawyer and deals with all aspects of personal estates, wills and tax planning for UK-based and international clients. Jonathan specialises in offering international private wealth advice.

View profile