Your estate is more than a list of assets. It is the result of years of work, considered decisions, and relationships that matter. When the time comes to put plans in place, you deserve advice that reflects that — not a standard template.
At Fresh Law, we take a different approach to Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). We take the time to understand your circumstances fully before we put pen to paper, because good estate planning is not about completing forms — it is about protecting what you have built and making sure the right people are in control when it matters most.
Most people know they should have a Will. Fewer realise how much complexity can sit behind even a straightforward family situation — and how quickly that complexity grows when a business is involved.
Without a valid Will, the law decides how your estate is distributed. Without LPAs in place, the people closest to you may have no legal authority to manage your affairs if you lose capacity, even temporarily. The consequences can be financially and emotionally devastating.
Planning ahead gives you control. It protects your family. And for business owners, it can be the difference between continuity and crisis.
We work closely with individuals, families, and family business owners across the UK to create estate plans that are built around their actual lives — not a one-size-fits-all checklist.
When you come to us, we start with a conversation. We want to understand:
- Your family structure and any sensitivities around it
- Your business interests, shareholdings, and co-ownership arrangements
- Your property — residential, commercial, or investment
- Your priorities for the people and organisations you want to benefit
- Your wishes around capacity, healthcare decisions, and financial management
Only once we understand the full picture do we advise on structure, drafting, and strategy.
A well-drafted Will does far more than divide your estate. It gives clear instructions, reduces the risk of disputes, and can be structured to minimise tax exposure and protect assets for future generations.
What Your Will Can Cover
- Appointment of executors you trust to carry out your wishes
- Specific gifts of property, business interests, or personal belongings
- Trusts to protect assets for children, vulnerable beneficiaries, or future generations
- Guardianship provisions for minor children
- Inheritance Tax planning considerations where relevant
- Business succession provisions and coordination with shareholders’ agreements
This is where many standard Will-writing services fall short. If you hold shares in a trading company, own property through a structure, or are in a partnership, your Will needs to work in tandem with your business arrangements — not against them.
We regularly advise clients with:
- Shareholdings in private limited companies and family holding structures
- Partnership and LLP interests, including succession and buyout provisions
- Commercial and residential property portfolios, including jointly held assets
- Agricultural land and estates with specific relief considerations
- Intergenerational planning where business assets will pass to the next generation
- We work together with a team of trusted financial and tax planning advisers to assist you
Getting this wrong can trigger unintended tax consequences, disrupt business continuity, or create disputes between family members and co-owners. Getting it right requires a team that understands both the personal and commercial dimensions of your estate.
An LPA is a legal document that authorises someone you trust — your attorney — to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity, or simply when you need support.
There are two types:
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA — covers decisions about your bank accounts, property, investments, and business interests.
- Health and Welfare LPA — covers decisions about your medical care, living arrangements, and day-to-day personal welfare.
Both must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before they can be used. The process takes time, which is why acting now — before you need it — is essential.
If you are a director, partner, or key decision-maker in a business, losing capacity without an LPA in place can have serious operational consequences. Contracts may stall. Bank accounts may become inaccessible. Decisions that need to be made simply cannot be.
A Property and Financial Affairs LPA can be drafted to address your business interests specifically, and we will advise you on how it interacts with any existing shareholders’ agreements, partnership deeds, or company articles.
Our clients include:
- Family business owners navigating the complexity of keeping a business intact across generations
- Property investors and landlords with portfolios held personally or through corporate structures
- Professionals and high-net-worth individuals with diverse asset bases and inheritance tax considerations
- Couples and families who want clarity, fairness, and protection built into their planning
- Executors and trustees who need ongoing support after a death
Whether your situation is straightforward or genuinely complex, we give you the same level of care and attention.
Estate planning is not something to put off. The right time to act is before circumstances make it urgent.
We offer clear, pragmatic advice rooted in a genuine understanding of your situation — personal, family, and commercial. Whether you are starting from scratch or revisiting existing arrangements, we are here to help you get it right.