Multi-Generational Will Planning: Choosing the Right Solicitor for Complex Family Needs

Worried about how to provide fairly for children, grandchildren, or second marriages? With families becoming more complex, selecting the right will solicitor is essential for protecting your legacy across generations. This guide explores strategies, solicitor qualifications, and key questions to ask for a smooth experience.

Why Multi-Generational Planning Matters

Today’s families often include blended households, cohabiting partners, adult dependents, or international heirs. A basic will may not reflect these realities, leaving loved ones vulnerable or sparking future disputes. An experienced will solicitor can help balance fairness, minimise inheritance tax, and protect each heir’s long-term interests—especially when multiple generations are involved.

What a Solicitor Can Do for Complex Estates

For clients with extended or blended families, a solicitor provides nuanced solutions, including:

• Custom Inheritance Plans: Allocate assets fairly across children from different marriages or relationships, while avoiding unintentionally disinheriting anyone.

• Trust Creation: Set up discretionary or life interest trusts to protect minors, those with disabilities, or financially vulnerable family members.

• Tax Strategy: Offer ways to legally reduce inheritance tax liabilities, including charitable giving or using the nil-rate band efficiently.

• Global Considerations: If heirs or assets are abroad, solicitors ensure wills comply with relevant cross-border inheritance laws.

Signs You Need a Specialist Will Solicitor

You may benefit from a solicitor with multi-generational planning expertise if:

• You’re in a second marriage or civil partnership

• You have children from previous relationships

• You’re responsible for adult dependents or a child with special needs

• You own businesses, rental property, or overseas real estate

• You want to provide for future grandchildren or set conditional gifts

In these cases, DIY wills or basic templates often fall short.

Finding the Right Solicitor for Complex Family Wills

When evaluating solicitors, look for the following:

1. Specialisation: Ensure they focus on estate planning, not just general legal work.

2. Memberships: Check if they’re part of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) or The Law Society’s Private Client Section.

3. Track Record: Ask if they’ve handled cases involving blended families, foreign assets, or contested estates.

4. Clarity and Empathy: Choose someone who listens well and explains things in plain English.

A solicitor should act as both legal expert and family mediator—protecting your wishes while minimising potential future conflict.

Fee Structure for Complex Wills

Specialist wills typically cost more due to the planning involved. Expect:

• Standard Complex Will: £500–£900 for individuals or couples

• With Trust Setup: £1,000–£2,500 depending on number of trusts and estate size

• Additional Services: Lifetime gifts, lasting powers of attorney, or inheritance tax advice may be charged separately

Always request a written quote. Some firms also offer fixed-fee packages for peace of mind.

What to Prepare Before Meeting Your Solicitor

Preparing in advance saves time and money. Here’s what to gather:

• Asset Overview: Include properties, savings, pensions, life insurance, and business shares

• List of Beneficiaries: Names, ages, relationships, and what they should inherit

• Dependent Care Plans: Details for anyone needing guardianship or financial oversight

• Executor Choices: Trustworthy individuals, possibly supported by a professional co-executor

• Family Background: Be transparent about past marriages, estranged relatives, or sensitive dynamics

Questions to Ask During Your Consultation

• How do you handle inheritance for blended families?

• Can you help reduce inheritance tax or protect against care home fees?

• Do you offer regular will reviews?

• What happens if my circumstances change later?

• How are your services priced for ongoing support?

These questions ensure you're working with a solicitor who thinks long-term.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I include conditions in my will?
Yes—your solicitor can help you set conditions like age thresholds or educational achievements for inheritance.

Will a will cover my foreign assets?
Not always. You may need separate wills for properties in different countries. A specialist can coordinate cross-border plans.

What if my family disputes the will later?
A professionally drafted will, with clear reasoning and notes from your solicitor, helps minimise contest risks.

Final Thoughts

When family structures are layered and finances more intricate, a well-drafted, multi-generational will is essential. Partnering with a solicitor who understands these dynamics ensures your wishes are honoured, and loved ones are protected. Taking the time now creates peace of mind for the years—and generations—to come.