Wildcat Law

05/10/2026

Last week our Eastleigh office made it into the Legal 500 Tier 3 for the South east in Private Client - Family Law.

This was a massive achievement for the team, they had been listed as a firm to watch within 12 months of opening and now only 2 years after opening they have a full rating! They keep some great company as the other firms listed are all well established and in most cases far larger.

But that wasn't the only reason for celebrating, they also maintained their recognition for Client satisfaction in 3 categories: Lawyer & team quality; Billing & efficiency; Sector knowledge
None of the other firms listed in their category had more than 1 so this shows how tough it is to get!

What do clients actually have to say about us? Well an email received at the end of last week might give you an idea. This was for conveyancing:

"Thank you. I have received the money safely, and I would also like to take this opportunity to share my sincere feedback.

I had a very positive experience with Wildcat Law Solicitors. From the beginning, you were professional, friendly and approachable. You kept me informed throughout the process, explained everything clearly, and were always available to answer any questions I had.

I really appreciated your professionalism, support and attention to detail. You made what could have been a stressful process feel much easier and gave me confidence and reassurance throughout.

I would definitely recommend Wildcat Law Solicitors to anyone looking for a professional, supportive and reliable legal team.

Thank you, Angel and Alison, and everyone at Wildcat Law, for all your help, hard work and support. It was greatly appreciated."

17/09/2026

11/09/2026

YOU’RE 35, FIT AND HEALTHY. WHY WOULD YOU NEED A LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY?

Because an LPA isn’t just about dementia or old age.
An accident, stroke or sudden serious illness can happen at any age. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to choose people you trust to make decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourself.

MYTH BUSTER
❌ “If something happens to me, my husband or wife can just make decisions for me.”

Not necessarily.
Being married, in a civil partnership or being someone’s “next of kin” does not automatically give you legal authority to manage their finances or make health and care decisions on their behalf.
Without an LPA in place, your spouse or family may find that banks, financial institutions, care providers or other organisations cannot simply accept their instructions.
An LPA lets you decide in advance who you trust to act for you.
There are two types:

🏠 Property & Financial Affairs
This can cover things such as:
• Managing your bank accounts
• Paying your mortgage, rent or household bills
• Dealing with pensions and benefits
• Managing or selling property

❤️ Health & Welfare
If you lose the ability to make a particular decision yourself, your attorneys can potentially make decisions about:
• Medical treatment
• Your care
• Where you should live
• Your day-to-day welfare
• Life-sustaining treatment, if you have given them that authority

When might an LPA actually be needed?
🚗 You are seriously injured in an accident and temporarily unable to manage your affairs.
🏥 You suffer an unexpected illness or stroke and cannot make certain decisions for yourself.
🧠 You develop dementia or another condition affecting your ability to make decisions later in life.
💷 Your mortgage, bills and other financial commitments still need dealing with while you are unwell.

An LPA is therefore not simply something to think about when you get older.

You can make one from the age of 18, provided you have the mental capacity to do so.

And importantly, an LPA needs to be put in place while you still have capacity. Once capacity has already been lost, it may be too late to make one.

🐾 Wildcat Law
If you would like advice about putting Lasting Powers of Attorney in place for yourself or a family member, contact us today.

Plan now. Choose who you trust. Protect your future.

03/07/2026

Talk to our SRA regulated conveyancing team Wildcat Law Eastleigh both residential and commercial.

🏡 Business Spotlight: Wildcat Law Eastleigh

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Wildcat Law offers friendly, experienced legal support for your move — helping to keep things clear, calm and on track.

As featured in Network Magazines.
📞 023 8155 0192
🌐 wildcatlaw.co.uk

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01/06/2026

We often see posts from people asking why solicitors firm's charge so much for Will writing when you can do it yourself for free, or use an unregulated "Will writer" for less than £100. So We thought it might be useful to put together some of the common problems our probate team have seen where Wills have gone wrong either by DIY or through using "Will writers".

1. Incorrect witnessing (the most common fatal error)

A will must be signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses who are present at the same time, and the witnesses must then sign in the testator's presence.
Common mistakes:
• Witnesses sign on different days.
• One witness is not present when the will is signed.
• The testator signs alone and later asks people to witness it.
• Witnesses do not actually see the signature being made or acknowledged.
• Only one witness signs.
• Signatures are added later without a proper witnessing ceremony.

Potential consequence: the entire will may be invalid.
________________________________________

2. Using beneficiaries as witnesses

Many DIY will makers ask family members to witness the will.
If a beneficiary witnesses the will, or the spouse/civil partner of a beneficiary witnesses it, the will itself usually remains valid but that beneficiary's gift can fail.
Common examples:
• A son witnesses a will that leaves him the house.
• A daughter's husband acts as a witness.
• An executor-beneficiary witnesses the will.

Potential consequence: the intended inheritance may be lost.
________________________________________

3. Making handwritten changes after signing

People frequently:
• Cross out names.
• Write new gifts in margins.
• Change percentages.
• Alter executor details.

Changes made after ex*****on generally require the same formalities as the original will. Unwitnessed alterations may be ineffective.

Potential consequence: the original wording remains effective, or disputes arise over what was intended.
________________________________________

4. Marriage after making the will

A surprisingly common DIY mistake is failing to appreciate that marriage generally revokes an earlier will unless it was drafted in contemplation of that marriage.
Typical scenario:
• Person writes a will leaving everything to children.
• Later marries.
• Never updates the will.

Potential consequence: the old will may be revoked entirely.
________________________________________

5. Ambiguous wording

Untrained drafters often use language that seems clear to them but is legally uncertain.
Examples:
• "I leave my house to my children."
o Which children?
o In equal shares?
o What if one dies first?
• "I leave my savings to my family."
o Who counts as family?
• "My partner gets everything."
o Which partner if relationships change?

Potential consequence: costly probate litigation to determine meaning.
________________________________________

6. Failing to deal with the residue of the estate

A common amateur error is listing specific gifts but forgetting everything else.
Example:
• £10,000 to niece.
• Watch to nephew.
• Car to friend.

But no clause dealing with the remainder of the estate.

Potential consequence: part of the estate passes under intestacy rules rather than under the will.
________________________________________

7. No substitute beneficiaries

DIY wills often say:
"I leave my estate to my wife."
But fail to answer:
What happens if she dies first?
Professional drafts usually include fallback provisions.

Potential consequence: unintended intestacy.
________________________________________

8. Poor identification of beneficiaries

Examples:
• Using nicknames.
• Misspelling names.
• Referring to people vaguely.
• Forgetting to identify charities properly.

This is a common DIY problem.

Potential consequence: uncertainty and estate disputes, delay, or failed gifts.
________________________________________

9. Failure to revoke previous wills

DIY wills sometimes omit a clear revocation clause.
Result:
• Multiple wills found after death.
• Confusion about which document governs.

Potential consequence: probate disputes and construction proceedings.
________________________________________

10. Inadequate provision for executors

Common mistakes:
• No executor appointed.
• Executor has died.
• Executor lacks capacity.
• No substitute executor named.
• No clause allowing for substitute executors to be appointed.

Potential consequence: additional court applications and delay.
________________________________________

11. Capacity and undue influence issues

Unregulated will writers often lack training in assessing testamentary capacity and spotting coercion.
Warning signs:
• Elderly testator with cognitive decline.
• Relative answering all questions.
• Beneficiary present throughout instructions.
• No attendance notes kept.

A will requires the testator to be of sound mind and acting voluntarily.

Potential consequence: a later challenge alleging lack of capacity or undue influence.
________________________________________

12. Failure to keep evidence of ex*****on

Solicitors typically keep:
• Attendance notes.
• File records.
• Witness details.
DIY wills often have none of this.
Years later:
• Witnesses cannot be found.
• Witnesses cannot remember the signing.
• Signatures are challenged.

Potential consequence: expensive evidential disputes during probate.
________________________________________

13. Not accounting for blended families

DIY wills are particularly risky where there are:
• Stepchildren.
• Second marriages.
• Cohabiting partners.
• Children from different relationships.

Potential consequence: outcomes that differ dramatically from the testator's intentions and/or expensive legal challenges.
________________________________________

14. Digital-only or improperly executed online wills

People sometimes assume:
• A PDF saved on a computer is enough.
• An electronic signature is sufficient.
• An online form automatically creates a valid will.

Current law in England generally requires a properly executed written will with the statutory signing formalities.

Potential consequence: no valid will at all.
________________________________________

15. Using a template that does not fit the circumstances

The classic DIY problem is using a generic template for a non-generic estate.
Examples:
• Business ownership.
• Foreign assets.
• Trusts.
• Agricultural property.
• Inheritance tax planning.
• Vulnerable beneficiaries.

Potential consequence: technically valid will, but ineffective or damaging estate planning.

The financial cost of getting a Will wrong often far outweighs the cost of instructing a professional at the outset.
The emotional cost of getting a Will wrong is beyond calculation - losing a loved one and having to spend months and years unravelling a difficult estate is not something anyone should have to go through.

15/04/2026

🚨 We’re Hiring: Consultant Civil Law Solicitor ⚖️

Looking for your next move in civil law—with flexibility and autonomy? This could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

We’re on the lookout for a talented Consultant Civil Law Solicitor to join our growing team.

✨ What we offer:
• Flexible, consultant-based working
• Autonomy to manage your own caseload
• Supportive and collaborative environment
• Competitive fee-sharing structure

🔍 What we’re looking for:
• Strong experience in civil law
• A client-focused, proactive approach
• Ability to work independently while staying connected with the team
• A desire to grow your practice with the right support behind you

If you’re ready to take control of your career while being part of a forward-thinking firm, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Get in touch or message us directly to find out more.

09/04/2026

Losing a loved one is tough, but helping a loved one who has lost capacity can be one of the most difficult things anyone has to deal with.

Where there is no LPA in place this can be even harder. When a person loses capacity they also lose access to their finances. They can't authorise loved ones to pay bills or withdraw cash. They can't even approve that money be spent on care bills. So what can loved ones do to access their money?

There is a way. It is more drawn out and restricted than an LPA but it does allow for essential bills to be paid. So what is it?

An application to the Court of Protection.

If you need advice or assistance contact our team today to find out how we can help you.