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The Will Centre The Wills, Powers of Attorney and Probate Experts. Making a will gives you peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

No matter if you are single, married, civil partnership, divorced, co-habiting or separated, you need a will!

Could inheritance rights be about to change for unmarried couples?The Government is considering significant changes to t...
16/10/2026

Could inheritance rights be about to change for unmarried couples?

The Government is considering significant changes to the law that could give cohabiting partners greater inheritance rights when one partner dies without a Will.

Under the law as it stands, an unmarried partner has no automatic right to inherit under the intestacy rules, regardless of how long a couple has been together.

Proposals recently put out for consultation could change that.

The Government is considering giving qualifying cohabiting partners automatic inheritance rights where their partner dies without a valid Will, potentially putting them in a similar position to a spouse or civil partner under the intestacy rules.

It's a significant proposal and reflects the reality that millions of couples now live together without being married or in a civil partnership.

However, the law has not changed yet.

For unmarried couples in Plymouth and across England and Wales, relying on the idea of a “common-law marriage” could still leave a surviving partner in a very difficult position.

Whatever happens with future reform, making a valid Will remains one of the clearest ways to set out exactly who you want to inherit your estate.

If you live with your partner and haven't yet made a Will, speak to The Will Centre in Plymouth about making sure your wishes are properly recorded.

Estate planning: it's about more than writing a Will.Good estate planning is about making sure your wishes are clear, yo...
14/10/2026

Estate planning: it's about more than writing a Will.

Good estate planning is about making sure your wishes are clear, your affairs are organised and the people you care about are protected as far as possible.

A Will is an important part of that, but estate planning can also involve Lasting Powers of Attorney, property ownership, pensions, beneficiaries, lifetime gifts and potential Inheritance Tax considerations.

It can help answer some important questions:

Who would you want to inherit your estate? Who could make decisions for you if you lost mental capacity? What would happen to your home? Have you made appropriate provision for your family? Are your wishes still suitable for your circumstances today?

Without proper planning, some of those decisions may be determined by the law rather than by you, potentially creating additional uncertainty for those closest to you.

And estate planning isn't something reserved for later life. Marriage, starting a family, buying a home, divorce, retirement or a significant change in your finances can all be good reasons to put plans in place or review the ones you already have.

Estate planning is ultimately about taking control of the things you can plan for today, so there's greater clarity for you and your family tomorrow.

Speak to The Will Centre in Plymouth about putting your plans in place.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to choose some...
12/10/2026

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to choose someone you trust to make certain decisions on your behalf.

There are two types of LPA:

Property and Financial Affairs - covering decisions such as managing money, paying bills, dealing with bank accounts or managing property.

Health and Welfare - covering decisions about matters such as medical care, your daily routine and where you live. This type can only be used when you are unable to make the relevant decision yourself.

One of the most important things to understand is that an LPA needs to be made while you still have the mental capacity to do so.

Without one in place, your spouse, partner or children don't automatically have the legal authority to make decisions for you if you lose capacity.

An LPA therefore gives you the opportunity to decide who you trust to act for you before their help is needed.

If you're considering putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place, The Will Centre in Plymouth can guide you through the process.

Do I need probate?It's one of the first questions many executors ask after losing a loved one - and the answer isn't alw...
08/10/2026

Do I need probate?

It's one of the first questions many executors ask after losing a loved one - and the answer isn't always straightforward.

If you're dealing with an estate in Plymouth or the surrounding area, whether probate is required will depend on the assets involved and how they were owned.

Probate is often needed when someone owned property, savings or investments in their sole name. However, some estates can be administered without it. Jointly owned property and joint bank accounts, for example, may pass automatically to the surviving owner, depending on how they are held.

That's why it's important to understand the estate before assuming that you either do or don't need to apply for probate.

Our latest guide explains when probate is usually required, when it may not be necessary, and what executors should consider before making an application.

If you're unsure whether probate is needed, The Will Centre in Plymouth can help you understand the next steps.
👉 Read the full article on our website.Do I Need Probate

Have we helped you with your Will, probate or estate planning?If you've used The Will Centre, we'd love to hear about yo...
05/10/2026

Have we helped you with your Will, probate or estate planning?

If you've used The Will Centre, we'd love to hear about your experience.

Reviews aren't just lovely for our team to receive. They also help other people in Plymouth and the surrounding area who may be looking for help with an important and sometimes difficult decision.

Whether we helped you make or update a Will, put a Lasting Power of Attorney in place, navigate probate or plan for the future, your feedback can give someone else the confidence to take that next step.

It only takes a few moments to leave a review, but it can make a real difference to a local business like ours.

Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to share their experience with The Will Centre.

Why is writing a Will so important?A Will is one of the most important documents you can put in place, yet it's somethin...
02/10/2026

Why is writing a Will so important?

A Will is one of the most important documents you can put in place, yet it's something many of us keep meaning to do “one day”.

Without a valid Will, you don't get to decide exactly what happens to your estate when you die. Instead, your money, property and possessions will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy - and that may not reflect what you would have wanted.

Writing a Will allows you to make your wishes clear. You can decide who should inherit, choose who you trust to administer your estate and make provision for the people who matter to you.

For parents of children under 18, a Will can also be used to appoint guardians, making it an especially important part of planning for your family's future.

And it's not only about having a Will. As your life changes through marriage, children, divorce, buying property or changes in your finances, it's important to review it too.

A Will gives you a voice in what happens after you're gone and gives those you leave behind greater clarity about your wishes.

If you've been putting yours off, speak to The Will Centre in Plymouth about getting your Will in place.

MYTH: “If I’m married, my husband or wife automatically has power of attorney.”❌ FALSEBeing married or in a civil partne...
30/09/2026

MYTH: “If I’m married, my husband or wife automatically has power of attorney.”

❌ FALSE

Being married or in a civil partnership does not automatically give your partner the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity.

Without a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPoA) in place, your spouse may not be able to simply step in and manage your finances or make important decisions about your health and care.

This can come as a real surprise to families, particularly at a time when they are already dealing with illness or an unexpected accident.

An LPoA allows you to choose the person, or people, you trust to make decisions for you if you're unable to make them yourself.

Putting an LPoA in place isn't about expecting something to go wrong. It's about making sure the right people have the right authority if it ever does.

Don't leave it to assumption. Plan ahead.

The Will Centre can help you understand your options and put the appropriate Lasting Powers of Attorney in place.

Estate planning isn't just about what happens when you die.When people hear the words estate planning, they often immedi...
28/09/2026

Estate planning isn't just about what happens when you die.

When people hear the words estate planning, they often immediately think about Wills and inheritance.

But good estate planning looks at a much bigger picture.

It's about making sure your wishes are clear, your affairs are organised and the people you trust are able to act when they're needed.

That could mean having an up-to-date Will that reflects your circumstances. It could mean putting Lasting Powers of Attorney in place, so trusted people can make important decisions if you're unable to. It can also involve considering your property, pensions, beneficiaries, lifetime gifts and potential Inheritance Tax implications.

An LPoA, for example, can allow someone you choose to deal with financial matters or make health and welfare decisions if circumstances mean you cannot make those decisions yourself.

Estate planning isn't necessarily something to leave until later life either. Marriage, children, buying a home, divorce, starting a business or simply accumulating more assets can all be good reasons to review the plans you have in place.

Ultimately, Estate planning is about taking control today, so there is less uncertainty tomorrow.

If it's something you've been putting off, speak to The Will Centre in Plymouth about getting your plans in order.

A Lasting Power of Attorney could be one of the most important documents you ever put in place.Most of us understand why...
25/09/2026

A Lasting Power of Attorney could be one of the most important documents you ever put in place.

Most of us understand why we should make a Will. But a Will deals with what happens after you die.

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPoA) is about what happens while you're still alive if illness, an accident or loss of mental capacity means you're no longer able to make certain decisions yourself.

An LPoA allows you to choose people you trust to act on your behalf. Depending on the type of LPoA, this could involve managing bank accounts and bills, dealing with property and finances, or making important decisions about your health, care and where you live.

And there's a crucial point that's easy to overlook:

You can't wait until you've lost mental capacity to make an LPoA.

Without one in place, even those closest to you don't automatically have the legal authority to take over your affairs. Your family may instead have to go through the Court of Protection to obtain the necessary authority.

Nobody expects to lose the ability to manage their own affairs. But planning for that possibility means you get to choose who you trust to make those decisions if the unexpected happens.

That's why an LPoA shouldn't just be considered something for later life. It can be an essential part of planning for the future.

Speak to The Will Centre in Plymouth about putting yours in place.

Probate disputes have risen by 37% - could better planning help avoid family conflict?New figures highlighted by Money M...
23/09/2026

Probate disputes have risen by 37% - could better planning help avoid family conflict?

New figures highlighted by Money Marketing reveal a significant rise in disputes over estates.

Probate disputes ending up in court increased by 37% over the decade from 2014 to 2023. Perhaps even more strikingly, research found that almost four in ten adults would be prepared to dispute a Will if they felt their inheritance was unfair or wasn't what they expected.

It highlights something that's easily overlooked when thinking about estate planning.

A Will isn't simply about deciding who receives your property, money and possessions. A clear, properly prepared and up-to-date Will can also make your intentions easier to understand and help reduce uncertainty for the people you leave behind.

Modern families can be complicated. Unmarried partners, second marriages, stepchildren, changing relationships and differing expectations can all make an estate more difficult to navigate.

And putting off making a Will altogether can create further uncertainty, as your estate will instead be distributed according to the rules of intestacy.

Good estate planning is about leaving clarity, not questions.

If you've been putting off making or reviewing your Will, The Will Centre in Plymouth can help you put clear plans in place.

Address

37 Devonport Road Stoke
Plymouth
PL34DL

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441752607040

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