A professionally drafted Will ensures your estate passes to the right people, protects your home from care fees, and prevents disputes between family members. Matrix Estate Planning provides legally compliant Wills for clients across Sheffield, Rotherham, Worksop and Doncaster, with expert guidance from a qualified estate planning practitioner.
A Will is one of the most important legal documents you will ever create. Without one, your estate is distributed under intestacy rules — often causing delays, disputes, and outcomes you never intended. A properly structured Will ensures your wishes are followed and your loved ones are protected.
• Your home — prevent it being lost to care fees through correct planning
• Your estate — ensure assets pass to the right beneficiaries
• Your children — appoint guardians and protect young or vulnerable beneficiaries
• Your partner — ensure they inherit correctly, especially in unmarried relationships
• Your business — set out succession wishes clearly
• Full consultation with a qualified estate planning practitioner
• Review of your existing Will (if applicable)
• Advice on trusts, guardianship, executors and inheritance tax
• Drafting of a legally compliant Will
• Clear signing instructions
• Optional secure storage
Find out how Matrix Estate Planning can empower your decisions with personalised Lasting Power of Attorney solutions, expert Will Writing, and legally robust estate planning guidance designed to protect your wishes and your family’s future.
Discover how Matrix Estate Planning helps families across Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Nottinghamshire protect their home, estate and loved ones through expert Will Writing, Lasting Power of Attorney and care‑fee protection planning.
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Professional guidance, flexible booking options, and trusted estate planning support — designed to make protecting your home and planning your future simple, accessible and stress‑free.
Writing a will is crucial to safeguard the future of your loved ones and assets. It allows you to appoint executors, choose guardians for your children, and specify who should inherit your estate. Additionally, you can include funeral wishes and designate caretakers for your pets. Our standard will writing service also cover up to three specific gifts of personal items or cash sums.
Also, we offer a will writing service for married or cohabiting couples in the UK who wish to align their wills, we offer mirror wills. These wills are virtually identical, reflecting each other’s content. Making a mirror will doesn’t mean you can’t amend it in the future. It’s an efficient way for UK couples to plan their estates together.
Furthermore, to have greater control over inheritance and protect assets from third parties, our will writing service can include trusts in your will. We offer various types of trusts suitable for the UK, such as Children’s Trust, Protective Property Trust, Discretionary Trust, Flexible Life Interest Trust, and Business Property Relief Trust. These trusts provide added flexibility and protection in complex circumstances under UK law.
• Fact Find Questionnaire — We begin by gathering essential information about your marital status, family circumstances, estate details, and objectives. This includes any specific gifts, charitable requests, or instructions you want included in your will.
• Technical Analysis — Our expert estate planning team reviews your information and prepares a draft will designed for clarity, legal compliance and tax efficiency, ensuring your wishes are protected under UK law.
• Draft Review — You’ll receive a PDF copy of your draft will to review. You can request amendments, add details or refine instructions. This step ensures complete accuracy and full compliance with UK regulations.
• Final Will Production — Once you approve the draft, we produce your final bound will and send it to your address. Clear witnessing instructions are included, following all UK legal requirements for a valid will.
A Will speaks from death, meaning any instructions or protections you include only take effect once you have passed away. However, the right Will structure can still play a crucial role in protecting your home from care fees and ensuring your share of the property is safeguarded for your chosen beneficiaries.
A Life Interest Trust written into your Will can protect your share of the home from being assessed by the local authority for care fees. When you pass away, your share of the property is transferred into the trust rather than directly to the surviving partner. Because the trust becomes the legal owner of your share:
• Your portion of the home is not counted in the local authority’s means test assessment.
• The surviving partner can continue living in the property for life.
• Your beneficiaries remain protected, ensuring your share ultimately passes to them.
When someone passes away, emotions run high — and without a clear, professionally drafted Will, families can quickly face conflict. Money disputes often arise from:
• Perceived Unfairness — If a Will is unclear, family members may disagree over what is “fair,” leading to tension and long‑lasting resentment.
• Lack of Communication — When wishes aren’t discussed, relatives are left guessing, which can trigger arguments and hurt feelings.
• Financial Vulnerabilities — Divorce, bankruptcy or changing financial circumstances can create disputes if the Will doesn’t account for them.
• Complex Family Relationships — Blended families or outdated estate plans often lead to disagreements that could have been avoided with a clear, updated Will.
A well‑drafted Will provides clarity, prevents misunderstandings and protects family relationships at the most emotional time.
A professionally drafted Will provides clarity, protects your wishes and helps prevent family disputes. Here’s how a well‑structured Will supports harmony and avoids conflict:
• Clear Asset Distribution — A well‑drafted Will sets out exactly how your assets should be shared, removing ambiguity and reducing the risk of disagreements.
• Trusted Executors — Appointing reliable executors ensures your wishes are carried out correctly. Their legal duty to act in the best interests of your estate helps minimise conflict.
• Protection Against Divorce & Bankruptcy — Including provisions for financial vulnerabilities ensures your assets are protected and distributed according to your wishes, even if circumstances change.
• Encouraging Communication — The Will‑writing process often prompts important conversations about inheritance, helping families understand expectations and avoid misunderstandings.
• Managing Complex Family Dynamics — For blended families, remarriages or stepchildren, a detailed Will provides clear instructions that prevent feelings of unfairness or exclusion.
A well‑drafted Will is one of the most effective ways to protect your estate, reduce stress for loved ones and prevent family arguments at an already emotional time.
If you pass away without a Will, your estate is distributed under the UK rules of intestacy. These default rules often fail to reflect modern family structures. For example, in second marriages or blended families, intestacy may not protect children from previous relationships, leaving loved ones vulnerable to financial disputes and outcomes you never intended.
Writing a Will is an investment in clarity and security. A professionally drafted Will ensures your wishes are respected, your estate is protected, and your family avoids unnecessary stress or conflict. It provides peace of mind for you and long‑term stability for those you care about.
Money arguments can divide families, especially during grief. A well‑structured estate plan is one of the strongest safeguards against conflict. As an Estate Planning Practitioner, my role is to help you create a tailored Will that reflects your unique circumstances, protects your loved ones and preserves family harmony.
Take the first step towards a secure future — invest in a clear, legally robust Will that ensures your legacy is honoured and your family relationships are protected.
When it comes to planning for the future, one of the most important steps you can take is to write a will. Despite the common misconception that wills are only for the wealthy, everyone can benefit from having a legal will in place. In this article, we will explore the benefits of writing a will, the differences between trusts and wills, and how to effectively navigate the process of estate planning.
A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a legal document that outlines how your assets will be distributed after your death. It allows you to appoint guardians for minor children, designate an executor to manage your estate, and specify your wishes regarding your property. Writing a will is an essential step in ensuring that your wishes are honored and that your loved ones are taken care of.
1. Control Over Asset Distribution: One of the primary benefits of writing a will is that it gives you control over how your assets will be distributed. Without a will, your estate will be divided according to state laws, which may not align with your wishes. By creating a will, you can specify exactly who will receive your property, money, and other assets.
2. Appointment of Guardians: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint guardians to care for them in the event of your death. This ensures that your children are placed in a loving and suitable environment, rather than being assigned to guardians by the courts.
3. **Minimizing Family Disputes**: Having a clear and legally binding document can help reduce conflicts among family members regarding the distribution of your estate. A well-prepared will can provide clarity and help prevent misunderstandings.
4. **Streamlining the Estate Planning Process**: Writing a will is a crucial step in estate planning. It can simplify the process for your loved ones once you are gone, helping to avoid lengthy probate proceedings and reducing the associated costs.
5. **Peace of Mind**: Knowing that your wishes will be honored after your passing provides peace of mind. By taking the time to write a will, you can rest assured that your loved ones will be taken care of according to your wishes.
While both wills and trusts are essential components of estate planning, they serve different purposes.
Will: A will takes effect only after your death and allows you to specify how your assets will be distributed. It must go through the probate process, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Trust: A trust can take effect during your lifetime and allows you to manage your assets while you are alive. Trusts can help avoid probate and provide greater privacy, as they do not become part of the public record.
If you are unsure whether to create a will, a trust, or both, consult with an estate planner or an attorney for trusts and wills to determine the best option for your situation.
1. Determine the Type of Will You Need: There are several types of wills, including simple wills, testamentary trusts, and living wills. Depending on your situation, you may need assistance from estate planners or a will and trust attorney.
2. List Your Assets: Create a detailed inventory of your assets, including property, bank accounts, investments, and personal belongings. This list will help you determine how you want your assets to be distributed.
3. Choose an Executor: Select a trusted individual to serve as your executor. This person will be responsible for managing your estate and ensuring that your wishes are carried out.
4. Name Beneficiaries: Specify who will receive your assets. You can designate specific items to specific individuals or divide your estate among multiple beneficiaries.
5. Appoint Guardians: If you have minor children, it is crucial to appoint guardians in your will. This decision should be made carefully, considering who will provide the best care for your children.
6. Consult with an Attorney: While you can create a will on your own, it is advisable to consult with an attorney for wills to ensure that your document meets all legal requirements and is enforceable.
7. Sign and Witness Your Will: To make your will legally binding, you must sign it in the presence of witnesses. The number of witnesses required varies by state, so check your local laws.
8. Store Your Will Safely: Once your will is complete, store it in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box or with your attorney. Ensure that your executor and family members know where to find it.
The cost of writing a will can vary widely with Sheffield Will Writer’s based on several factors, including the complexity of your estate and whether you choose to hire an attorney. On average, simple wills may cost between £300 to £1,000, while more complex estate planning, including trusts, can cost significantly more. It’s essential to consider the long-term benefits of having a will in place versus the initial investment.
Yes, if you have assets, dependents, or specific wishes regarding the distribution of your estate, you need a will. Even if you believe your estate is small, a will can help ensure that your wishes are honored and can simplify the process for your loved ones.
Setting up a will and a trust involves similar steps, starting with determining your assets and deciding how you want them distributed. A trust can be established to manage your assets during your lifetime and distribute them upon your death, while a will outlines your wishes after your death. Consulting with an estate planner can help streamline this process.
Writing a will is a vital part of estate planning that provides numerous benefits, including control over asset distribution, the appointment of guardians, and peace of mind. Whether you choose to work with an attorney for wills or navigate the process on your own, taking the time to create a legal will is an essential step in safeguarding your legacy and ensuring that your wishes are respected after your passing.
If you are ready to take the next step in your estate planning journey, consider seeking the guidance of an experienced Sheffield Will Writer, estate and trust attorney. They can help you navigate the complexities of wills, trusts, and estate planning, ensuring that you make informed decisions that benefit you and your loved ones.
Yes, this is possible. If the property is jointly owned by you and your spouse, it is essential that the property is held as tenants in common rather than joint tenants. It is possible that if you leave your spouse a life interest in your half of the property and your spouse subsequently goes into a care home that only half the value of the house would be taken into consideration by the local authority when carrying out an assessment. It is essential that the life interest trust is properly worded in the will and you should ensure, for it to be done properly, that you consult a specialist at Matrix Estate Planning. For more information view the video opposite.
We receive many queries daily on care fees assessment and how a home can be protected from care fees and whether it counts towards the means test carried out by the local authority, so we thought we would put together some information for you.
Say you are a couple and live in a home worth £850,000 and as you grow older you are worrying more about ensuring it is protected from care fees so it can be passed to your children. Is there anything you can do? Let’s look at how care fees are assessed and some scenarios.
When someone goes into care, the local authority will carry out a financial assessment. As part of their assessment, they local authority will calculate the cost of the care and how much the individual can contribute from their own resources.
When carrying out a means test, the local authority may consider the value of the property as well as any income, savings or pension.
It is worth noting that The Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014, Schedule 2, Regulation 4 states that “A local authority may disregard the value of any premises which is occupied in whole or in part by a qualifying relative of the adult as their main or only home where the qualifying relative occupied the premises after the date on which the adult was first provided with accommodation in a care home under the Act.” A qualifying relative is defined as a spouse/civil partner, partner, former partner, the person’s minor child, or a relative who is over 60 or incapacitated.
If someone has savings of over £23,250, they will have to fund the care themselves.
If someone has savings of between £14,250 and £23,250, they will need to contribute towards the cost of their care from income such as pensions and a tariff based on their capital, but the local authority will fund the rest.
Once someone’s capital reaches below £14,250, they will no longer pay a ‘tariff’ income based on their capital, but they must continue paying from income included in the means test. The council pay the remaining cost of their care.
Richard and Amy are married. Richard falls unwell and needs to move into a care home where he is in the best hands. Is the value of the home considered when the local authority carry out the means test? Would Amy be liable for care home fees and could the local authority put a charge against the home?
The good news here is that if Richad goes into care and Amy continues living in the home, then the value of the home isn’t considered by the local authority when carrying out the means test. This is because, as stated above, the local authority may disregard the value of any premises which is occupied in whole or in part by a qualifying relative of the adult as their main or only home where the qualifying relative occupied the premises after the date on which the adult was first provided with accommodation in a care home under the Act.” As she is his spouse, she falls under the definition of qualifying relative.
Amy would not be liable for care fees as only Richard’s individual’s assets would be considered. The local authority could not put a charge against the home for as long as it is being disregarded in the means test.
If Richard and Amy both go into care during their lifetime would the home be part of the means test and could it be sold to fund their care?
If they both go into care during their lifetime then the home would no longer be disregarded for care fees unless there was still a relative under 18, over 60, or incapacitated living in it.
This means the value of the home would be considered for their individual means tests and it could also be sold to fund their care if they don’t have enough capital to fund themselves.
Adrianna owns her home solely with no-one else living with her. Can she protect her home from care fees in the event she needs to go into care during her lifetime by gifting it to her children?
We would not be able to advise on any lifetime planning to protect her property. If she gave her property away to her children or to trust in lifetime and the intention was to avoid paying for care, then this would be classed as deliberate deprivation. In this instance, if the local authority decide that some has committed deliberate deprivation for the purposes of the financial assessment, they can still treat the person as if they own that asset.
Richard passes away and he has a PPT in his Will so his share of the home passes to the trust. Amy then needs to go into care. Would the home be assessed for care fees and would the home need to be sold to pay for care or a charge placed on it?
Amy would be assessment on her share of the property only and not the share that is in trust since this is protected. If she needs to self-fund but doesn’t have enough capital to cover this without selling the property, the local authority will seek to place a charge on her share of the property to reclaim their fees when the property is sold. This is usually referred to as a deferred payment scheme.
This month the government announced proposed changes to adult social care. Currently, before someone can receive publicly funded social care, they are assessed and the value of their assets are taken into account.
Currently if an individual has assets above the £23,250 threshold, they must fully fund their own care, rely on friends or family or even go without care.
The proposals put forward by the Government would make the means test more generous so instead of the individual having to pay for all their care in the event their assets are above £23,250, from October 2023, they would only have to fully fund their care if their assets are more than £100,000.
Currently if someone has assets from £14,250, they must contribute towards the cost of their care. This figure will now be £20,000.
There is also set to be a cap on the amount an individual has to pay for care during their lifetime which is set at £86,000. However, this cap would only cover the cost of a care home that an individual’s local authority was willing to pay for (not all care homes). Alternatively, if someone required home care, it would only cover the number of hours their local authority thought was needed and at the price it would be willing to pay. This cap would not include the living expenses in a care home i.e. food.
