Wills, Trusts and Probate

Providing peace of mind at every life stage.

Making or updating a will, creating trusts or lasting powers of attorney, or dealing with a loved one’s estate can feel daunting if you are unsure where to start. Our role is to help you structure your affairs and guide you through each question - large or small - so you understand your options and can protect what matters most. 

We recognise that discussing personal information and family dynamics can feel difficult or intrusive. We meet you where you feel comfortable, take time to listen, and suggest a clear route forward. Every individual and family is unique, so we adapt our advice to your relationships, financial priorities and long-term goals. This might involve trust arrangements for children, business-succession planning, or simply ensuring your documents reflect your true wishes.

Administering an estate can be a lengthy, detail-heavy process. We stand alongside executors throughout probate - handling paperwork, liaising with institutions, and keeping you informed - so the load feels manageable, and progress stays on track.Whether you are planning ahead or navigating a family member’s estate after they have died, we focus on clarity, empathy and practical advice. 

You will work directly with a dedicated lawyer who manages the process end to end. Our hallmark is genuine rapport; many clients see us become trusted advisers for the whole family. With decades of combined experience in wills, trusts and probate, we handle even the most complex matters while never losing sight of what is right for you and your loved ones. 

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From straightforward wills to complex multigenerational estates 

Individuals and Families  

Many clients come to us for wills or trusts to protect loved ones - sometimes prompted by a new marriage, a young child, or a family home. We will guide you through potential scenarios, such as guardianship for minors or lifetime gifts, ensuring each decision fits your circumstances.  

If you run a company or hold shares, we coordinate with our Estate, Planning and Tax team. This can include safeguarding key reliefs, preparing for a future sale, or updating shareholder agreements, so your business legacy remains secure alongside your personal wishes.  

Executors and Administrators

Acting as someone’s executor or personal representative can be demanding, both administratively and emotionally. We help you manage everything from obtaining the Grant of Probate to distributing complex assets - always staying mindful of family dynamics and tax efficiency.

A clear roadmap from first meeting to signed documents 

Initial Conversation  

We encourage you to get in touch by phone or email. An experienced lawyer will call you back - usually that same day - to clarify your concerns and see if we can help. We then arrange an in-person (or virtual) meeting and send you a questionnaire beforehand which will act as an aid for when we meet.  

In Depth Discussion  

During the meeting, we listen to your wishes and concerns, looking closely at your family situation, financial assets, or business structures. Whether you have minor children, a blended family, or wish to gift specific charities, this is where we map out your priorities.  

Drafting & Finalising 

We prepare all relevant documents, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, tailored to your objectives. Our goal is to ensure you fully understand the content and feel confident signing. If new issues arise, we re-review with you, adjusting drafts until they truly reflect your intent.  

Ongoing Support  

Writing a will or a lasting power of attorney is not just a one-off exercise. We stay in touch as life evolves - helping you refresh the documents after major life events (such as a marriage, divorce, or inheritance). If you ever need to administer an estate, we are here to guide you through the probate process as smoothly as possible.  

Further details and indicative pricing for the administration of estates can be found here.

Details about our team and their experience can be found here.

A selection of case studies

Complex Estate Administration 

We guided a grieving family through the administration of a complex estate involving multiple investment accounts, properties, and tax-sensitive arrangements. With family members spread across jurisdictions and some longstanding tensions at play, we stepped in not only as legal advisers but as calm, practical problem-solvers. By liaising with tax advisers and coordinating closely with executors, we simplified reporting obligations and minimised delays. The family reached completion with clarity, compliance and, most importantly, without further fracturing already delicate relationships at an emotionally charged time.  

Talking about Wills, Trusts and Probate

Trust Protection for Vulnerable Beneficiaries  

Family Business Succession Planning 

A client’s child stood to inherit significant assets but faced uncertain life circumstances. We designed a discretionary trust to provide financial security while keeping options open. The structure protected the beneficiary from potential exploitation or poor decision-making, yet allowed for flexibility as needs evolved – whether around housing, education, or care. We worked closely with the family to explain the trustee’s role, the importance of letters of wishes, and how distributions could be managed sensitively. The result: peace of mind today, and adaptive, responsible protection for tomorrow.  

Family Business Succession Planning  

Family Business Solicitor

When a longstanding family business faced a generational handover, we worked closely with the client, their children, and our corporate team to create a robust succession strategy. The key was protecting Business Property Relief while avoiding future family disputes. We aligned wills, partnership agreements, and trust structures so that control passed smoothly while ownership remained tax-efficient. The client left knowing the company – and the legacy behind it – was safeguarded for the next generation, with every element considered across legal, tax and personal dynamics.  

Trust Protection for Vulnerable Beneficiaries  

Family Business Succession Planning 

A client’s child stood to inherit significant assets but faced uncertain life circumstances. We designed a discretionary trust to provide financial security while keeping options open. The structure protected the beneficiary from potential exploitation or poor decision-making, yet allowed for flexibility as needs evolved – whether around housing, education, or care. We worked closely with the family to explain the trustee’s role, the importance of letters of wishes, and how distributions could be managed sensitively. The result: peace of mind today, and adaptive, responsible protection for tomorrow.  

Family Business Succession Planning  

Family Business Solicitor

When a longstanding family business faced a generational handover, we worked closely with the client, their children, and our corporate team to create a robust succession strategy. The key was protecting Business Property Relief while avoiding future family disputes. We aligned wills, partnership agreements, and trust structures so that control passed smoothly while ownership remained tax-efficient. The client left knowing the company – and the legacy behind it – was safeguarded for the next generation, with every element considered across legal, tax and personal dynamics.  

Experience & Expertise

Our team combines deep technical knowledge with genuine understanding of family dynamics. Led by Joe Spring, we've built our reputation on making complex matters accessible while offering the sophisticated expertise typically associated with much larger firms.  

We understand that discussing wills, trusts and probate matters can feel daunting. Our approach balances technical expertise with genuine empathy, creating a reassuring process even for complex situations. As one client recently shared, "I wasn't expecting it to be so straightforward - I feel so much better now." This combination of sophisticated legal knowledge and human understanding defines our service.  

Key Contacts

Joe Spring
Joe Spring
01202 204 596 Email Joe
Steele Raymond Office in Bournemouth

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