Wills, Trust, Estate Planning and Probate Solicitors in Nottingham
Planning for the future is more than a legal task; it’s a way to protect and honour your life’s work and care for those you love.
Our expert wills and probate solicitors can help you plan your estate in a way that minimises tax and protects your wealth, for those you leave behind.
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How our Nottingham Wills and Probate solicitors will work with you
Our solicitor have the expertise and experience to help you will all aspects of estate planning. We can help you with;
- Will writing – Draft a will that ensures your loved ones receive what your want them to.
- Estate planning – Structure your estate in a way that minimises your tax liabilities and maximises how much your loved ones receive.
- Trusts – Protect your money, property and investments so you can pass them on to the next generation.
- Inheritance tax planning – subject to estates over £325,000, we can help you minimise the amount of inheritance tax your family has to pay when you’re gone.
- Lasting powers of attorney – Appoint a trusted person to look after your financial affairs and make decisions on your behalf if you lose your mental capacity.
- Deputyship – by becoming a deputy for your loved one, you are able to make those decisions on their behalf and ensure that their interests remain protected.
- Grant of probate – Property and assets are frozen until the probate registry authorizes an executor via a grant of probate. We can help you prepare your application.
- Contentious probate – We can help if you, a family member, or beneficiary feel that the executor of a will isn’t managing it properly or if someone contests a will.
- International probate – Owning assets in more than one country probate and estate administration very complex and time consuming. We can help
Why choose us for Wills, Probate and Trusts?
Rothera Bray has significant experience and expertise in wills and probate. From creating wills and trusts to full estate planning to more complex matters like international probate.
After you get in touch with us, we will assigned a member of our private client team. They will provide a personal service and work with you to find out more about your situation and assets. We can then give you the best legal advice to your needs.
We’ll support and advise you from start to finish. You will be kept updated on progress at all times.
Several of our solicitors specialise in wills and probate. Some are members of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
We offer free will registration through Certainty, the National Will Register.
Where needed, we can draw on the experience of our Contentious Wills and Probate team in relation to wills, estates, trusts and Court of Protection disputes.
A network of independent financial advisors also works closely with us and we can refer you for financial advice
Advice can be given to help you reduce the amount of inheritance tax payable on your estate so your inheritance can go further.
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FAQs
It is important to make a will, regardless of how much money or assets you own. There are several reasons for this;
- If you die without a will, there are rules called the Rules of Intestacy’ that dictate how your money, assets and property is distributed. This might not be the way you want you want things to happen
- If you’re not married or in a registered civil partnership, you cannot inherit from each other unless you have a will. If one of you dies, it could cause serious financial problems for the other.
- If you have children, you need a will to make arrangements for them if one or both of you die. If you don’t, the courts will take responsibility over them until they can find a guardian.
- If you have assets that are subject to inheritance tax, a will could be a good way to reduce the amount of inheritance tax you pay.
- If your life or circumstances change, so might your wishes. For example, if you and your partner split up, you might want to write them out of an existing will.
Making a will is a very straightforward process. It is possible to create a Will yourself. However, there are certain requirements needed to ensure the document is legally binding. A Wills & Probate solicitor can ensure that these requirements are met so that your wishes and intentions are carried out.
If your estate and assets, or how you wish to divide them, are complex, then a solicitor can also help you draft a Will that achieves your wishes legally.
At Rothera Bray, we have a member of the Wills & Probate team available at each of our local Nottingham, Leicester and Derby branches.
Our solicitors can also visit you at your home or in hospital if you are unable to visit one of our offices.
Simply contact our team today to arrange an appointment.
We offer a straight-forward approach and our focus is on ensuring you have the right information and guidance.
A single, straightforward Will with no trusts costs £350 plus VAT or £600 plus VAT for Simple Mirror Wills and unlike many firms, this includes free registration with Certainty, the National Wills Register, saving you an additional £30 (incl. VAT) registration fee per Will.
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. This involves:
- Identifying and valuing the deceased person’s assets and liabilities
- Paying off any debts and taxes owed by the estate
- Distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries named in the will
- If the deceased didn’t write a will, dividing those assets according to the rules of intestacy
- Carrying out the deceased person’s wishes as far as possible
A Trust is a legal way of protecting family assets.
You can transfer part of your estate to a trustee who is responsible for managing the trust before passing it on to the beneficiary when the time comes. This might be when they turn 18 for example.
The main benefit of a trust is their tax efficiency. Parents can transfer assets into a trust to to reduce the inheritance tax liability their children will be subject to.
Jeremy Allen
Partner & Head of Trusts and Court of Protection
Jeremy Allen is a Wills, Probate and Trusts specialist at Rothera Bray Solicitors and is based at our Lace Market offices in the heart of Nottingham City Centre.
Kirsten Wood
Partner & Head of Wills and Probate
Kirsten Wood leads the firm’s Wills and Probate department and is a partner with over 18 years’ experience specialising in will drafting, tax, trusts, estate administration and lasting powers of attorney.
Sally Jahangir
Managing Associate
Sally Jahangir is a Managing Associate in Rothera Bray’s Private Client team and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Sarah Soo
Managing Associate
Sarah Soo is a Wills and Probate specialist at Rothera Bray Solicitors and has specialised in private client work since she began her career. Sarah is currently based at both our Beeston and Nottingham offices.
Toby Byford
Solicitor
Toby is a Solicitor in the firms specialist Trusts team. He is based at our Lace Market office.
Ed Granger
Solicitor
Ed is a solicitor in the firm’s specialist trusts team. He is based at our Lace Market office.
Rebecca Holmes
Legal Executive
Rebecca is a Legal Executive in our Wills & Probate team. She is based at our Lace Market office.
Brett James
Paralegal
Brett James is a Wills and Probate Paralegal at Rothera Bray Solicitors and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
Michelle Kingston
Paralegal
Michelle Kingston is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills and Probate department and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham branch.
Janet Prentice
Paralegal
Janet Prentice is a Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Wills, Probate and Trusts department and is based at our Lace Market office in the heart of Nottingham city centre.
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Posted 24 April 2026
Dealt with in a very professional manner any queries were explained in detail and with the draft wills. A very likeable and personable young lady. Many thanks
Wills client
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Posted 24 April 2026
Excellent service, provided by Ed Granger. Ed’s professionalism, advise, knowledge and overall understanding of what we required was outstanding. The time line to complete the process was remarkable. We would not hesitate to recommend his services.
Will Soubry
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Posted 9 April 2026
Nelissa made the whole process of setting up our estate after we have gone so easy and dare I say, her style made the experience an enjoyable one for such a morbid topic. She has a brilliant way of explaining the complex in a very simple pictorial representation making it it easy to decide the next course of action for our family. Extremely efficient and diligent - she was a pleasure to work with.
Arran
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Posted 26 March 2026
I have used Rothera Bray formerly Bray & Bray on several occasions mainly for advice on Will writing. I have always had excellent and speedy advice and service particularly from Amanda White. I would thoroughly recommend this company.
Richard Goodwin
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Posted 24 March 2026
The case was very complicated, and it was a great relief to know how to maintain the Trust in the future, thanks to Mr Byford leaving us relevant instructions after completing the case. Mr Byford provided me and my daughter professional support and guidance in friendly and informative manner during the meetings and in all communication.
Pirjo Gallagher
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Posted 19 March 2026
I have been dealing with Ed Granger to handle a Will and Trust Account. He has been extremely helpful and always took the time to explain the process and help me establish the Trust as per the wishes of the Will. Thank you Ed.
Don Hammond
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Posted 13 March 2026
I instructed Rothera Bray to draft a will on my behalf. My solicitor, Talita, was excellent. She provided clear and helpful advice. I would instruct again!
Will client
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Posted 12 March 2026
From the initial consultation to the final distribution, Nelissa Hicks handled my late mother's estate and associated Trust with immense care and professionalism. She made a daunting, complex process feel straightforward, explaining everything in simple terms. I was kept informed at every step, and their empathetic approach made a difficult time much easier. I would definitely recommend Rothera Bray Solicitors.
Louise Mossop
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Posted 11 March 2026
I needed to get my will written and chose Rothera bray solicitors because they had the deeds to my house in storage, I had not used a solicitor for many years and was a little nervous, but the ladies that met me soon put me at ease...I would definitely recommend Rothera bray solicitors to anyone, and if I need to use a solicitor again I know where I'll be going.
L White
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Posted 11 March 2026
Rothera Bray took over from WBB during probate, up to that point, everything had taken so long and trying to get to speak with my solicitor was almost impossible. Once Rothera Bray took the reins it was an incredible change for the better!
Jean
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Posted 6 March 2026
Rothera Bray Solicitors Loughborough; On a number of occasions I have asked Nelissa Hicks (Partner) to be my legal representative, she delivers with professional conduct, is thorough in all matters and a great communicator. She gets things done in a timely manner and she is a very nice person. I highly recommend Nelissa & Rothera Bray Solicitors, Loughborough for their legal support & services.
Nigel Stewart
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Posted 6 March 2026
I’ve been using Rothera Bray for a number of years now. I really appreciated their professionalism following the death of my wife. Together we sorted out her estate and rearranged my powers of attorney to accommodate my altered circumstances. Now four years on from that I’ve taken the opportunity to update my Will. Once again Rothera Bray were a pleasure to deal with under the guidance of Nelissa Hicks who was able to make suggestions which helped enormously to assist my thought process. From my experience I would have no hesitation in recommending them and Nelissa Hicks for a professional, caring and successful outcome.
R.B Beck
Major life events that can impact your Will
Most people assume a Will is something you take care of once and then forget about. But certain life events can dramatically change how your Will works or even invalidate it entirely.
Leaving a gift to charity in your Will
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