8 questions to ask before choosing an estate planner
Not all estate planners are equal. Some are qualified professionals with transparent pricing. Some are unregulated salespeople who'll overcharge you. Use this checklist to vet ANY provider (including us).
1. Do you offer FIXED FEES (not hourly rates)?
"Yes, we charge £X for a will, £Y for LPAs. Everything's included."
"We charge £200/hour. It usually takes 10-15 hours."
2. Are you properly qualified to advise on wills, tax, trusts and probate?
"STEP, an advanced financial planning diploma, or accredited will-writing qualifications."
"I don't have formal qualifications, but I've done this for years."
3. Can you explain your PROCESS upfront (timeline, steps)?
"Here's what happens: consultation, drafts, signing. Total time: 2-3 weeks."
"We'll figure it out as we go."
4. Do you have CLIENT REVIEWS I can read?
"Yes, here are our Google reviews (4.8+ stars, 20+ reviews)."
"We don't really do reviews."
5. Will you PRESSURE ME into buying trusts or complex structures?
"We'll assess your situation and only recommend what you need. Most need just a will + LPAs."
"Everyone needs a property protection trust."
6. How long have you been doing estate planning?
"I've specialised in estate planning for years and helped 100s of families."
"I'm a general solicitor, I do conveyancing, family law and some estate planning."
7. What happens if I need to UPDATE my will or LPAs in future?
"Minor updates are free for 12 months. After that, updates are a reasonable fixed fee."
"Each update is charged separately at hourly rates."
8. Can you provide a WRITTEN QUOTE before I commit?
"Yes, here's a written quote showing exactly what's included and what you'll pay."
"Just call us and we'll sort it out."
How We Score
We are happy to answer all 8 questions upfront. Fixed fees, recognised credentials, transparent process.
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