Why Instruct Spall Clark Solicitors for Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney in Cheshire

A calm, clear way to get the legal support you need

If you are thinking about making a Will, putting Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) in place, or dealing with probate after a death, you may be wondering who to instruct and what good service should look like. You would like accurate, practical advice, explained in plain English. You also want to know the process and how much will it cost.

Spall Clark Solicitors in Congleton provides specialist private client advice across Cheshire and Manchester. We provide specialist advice with a focus on providing a personal service that respects your time and your circumstances.

At a glance

Specialist advice on Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney

Our solicitors are members of STEP and are experienced with complex estates including cross border estate planning. Melissa Howman is also an accredited member of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers. Our solicitors have been nominated for awards at STEP Private Client Awards and British Wills and Probate Awards.

Personal, bespoke service

You will be allocated your own solicitor who will take time to understand your circumstances and explains your options in plain English. The work reflects what you need for you and your circumstances, not a template.

Client Feedback ‘It felt very personal and relaxing’

Discreet, professional handling

We appreciate the sensitivity of dealing with the most personal of matters. We work respectfully with careful attention to detail and confidentiality.

Transparent pricing, with fixed fees for most matters

We set out costs clearly at the outset and offer fixed fees whether possible.

Client Feedback ‘Have no doubt that I would recommend your service to other family and friends. To find such reliability in today’s business world, in my experience, is rare and to be valued’

Specialist solicitors for Wills, Probate and LPAs

Wills and estate planning: clear advice, careful drafting, and practical planning

Estate planning begins with quality advice that covers risks, Inheritance Tax and puts in place structures that makes your intentions workable in real life.

We take time to understand what matters to you and your family. We ensure we get to know your personal circumstances,  financial arrangements and wishes. From there, we draft a Will that is clear, tailored, and legally robust. Where appropriate, we will discuss common planning points such as guardianship for children, specific gifts, the choice of executors, and how to handle property held jointly.

A well drafted Will is a practical document that can reduce uncertainty for your family and help your executors administer your estate efficiently.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are a very important part of estate planning to ensure you can choose someone to make decisions about your health and welfare (such as medical decisions) and financial affairs (such as paying bills) if you lose mental capacity, for example if you are diagnosed with dementia or following an accident. We will also advise on LPAs as part of the estate planning process.

Our approach is personalised and thorough. We avoid unnecessary complexity and explain the pros and cons of different options so you can make informed decisions with confidence.

Client Feedback: ‘(gave) us advice on scenarios we would never have thought of’

Court of Protection: Appointing a deputy, applications to Court, Part 35 Expert Reports

We offer a bespoke Court of Protection service for property and financial matters. We can deal with all types of financial applications from appointing deputies to making complex applications to Court such as gifting applications.

Our specialist Court of Protection solicitor Simon Heapy is often instructed by other law firms to act as an expert witness and prepare Part 35 Reports.

We offer a pragmatic and transparent approach so you can be sure you are making the appropriate application.

Client Feedback: ‘The care and professionalism shown has been above and beyond’

Probate and estate administration: calm, methodical support when it matters

After a death, the practical and emotional burdens often arrive at the same time. Probate and estate administration can involve dealing with banks, property, investments, debts, tax forms. Ther are often strict deadlines and unfamiliar terminology. A good probate solicitor brings order to the process, explains what matters, and takes pressure off the executors.

When you instruct Spall Clark Solicitors for probate, we will help you identify the correct route, including whether you need a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, and we will map the steps clearly. Depending on what you need, we can provide technical support (for example, dealing with the Probate application only) or handle the full administration of the estate.

Throughout, you can expect clear updates and a meticulous approach to detail. We are used to working with a wide range of estates, from straightforward matters to complex administration with an international element.

Client Feedback ‘She has shown a high degrees of professionalism throughout and she has been diligent in preparing the application for probate. As a result the grants of probate have been successful and swift.’

Cross Border and International Estates: Expert planning and co-ordination

As a specialist law firm, we often deal with cross border and international estates. We have dealt with estates involving a wide range of jurisdictions including those in Europe, Asia and Australia and we have a particular focus on French and Spanish estate planning.

Spall Clark manage the English side of estate planning, liaising with lawyers in different jurisdictions to ensure that all angles are covered to ensure matters are as simple as possible after death. We often deal with Probate applications and estate administration for estates with foreign assets or individuals that live abroad with assets in England.

All our solicitors at Spall Clark have experience with cross border matters. Our managing director Paul Clark has organised conferences and webinars for the Law Society through his role on the Private Client Section Advisory Committee.

Client feedback ‘We were recommended by name of solicitors firm redacted. So pleased they did, such a lovely environment and helpful staff.’

Personal, bespoke service — discreet, transparent and easy to instruct

What bespoke service means: advice shaped around you and your circumstances

Some clients want a simple Will whereas others need a more considered plan because of blended families, second marriages, beneficiaries with additional needs, or assets that require careful handling. A “one-size-fits-all” approach can miss important details that only surface later when it is harder (and often more expensive) to fix.

Our service is bespoke because it starts with listening. We ask the right questions, then explain your options without legal jargon. We are sensitive to the reality of family life, whether this involves concerns about challenging family relationships or similar matters and we handle them with discretion and care.

This personalised way of working also applies to probate. We can coordinate with accountants, financial advisers, and other professional advisors where needed, but we remain responsible for keeping the legal process on track and the communication clear.

Client feedback: ‘Her polite, professional and pleasant manner convinced me I had made the right choice by choosing Spall Clark Solicitors.’

Transparency and fixed fees: knowing where you stand from the outset

When you are deciding whether to instruct a solicitor, cost and clarity matters. We are transparent about fees and what is included. For many services, we can offer fixed fees so you can plan with confidence. Where fixed fees are not appropriate (for example, in some complex Court of Protection applications and trust work), we will explain how fees are calculated and what factors affect the overall cost.

We also explain the likely stages of work and what we will need from you. If something changes,  perhaps an additional asset appears in an estate, or a matter becomes more complex, we will tell you promptly and set out the options. Transparency is a key part of our business ethos.

Client Feedback: ‘Guided us through the process in a simple easy to understand way.’

A trusted local solicitor in Congleton and Cheshire

Local solicitors, international outlook

We understand many people prefer to meet in person and we can meet you at our office in Congleton or your home in Cheshire. For clients based outside of Cheshire we offer online video appointments by Microsoft Teams.

As a specialist firm, we can meet at times outside of normal office hours with prior arrangement.

When you need to act quickly: priorities after a death and urgent Wills and LPAs

Sometimes the question is not whether to instruct a solicitor, but how quickly you can get organised. In some cases, Wills and LPAs can be become urgent. If you are supporting an older relative, a person with a terminal illness or someone whose capacity may be changing, immediate action can be required.

After a death, sensible early steps include securing property, gathering key paperwork, and notifying relevant organisations. In probate matters, acting promptly can help avoid delays and increased cost, particularly where Inheritance Tax is due.

We will explain what can be done now, what must wait, and what you can do in parallel to keep matters moving.

How to instruct Spall Clark Solicitors

Instructing us is straightforward. We aim to make the first step easy, even if you are not sure what you need.

1. Introduce you to your solicitor and arrange an initial meeting with them.
2. Meet to understand your circumstances and aims.
3. A clear outline of the recommended next steps, timescales, and fees.

If you would like to proceed, we will confirm the scope of work in writing, including what is included and what would be treated as an additional item.

Frequently asked questions

1. When should I instruct a solicitor to write my Will?

You should instruct a solicitor to write your Will whenever you want confidence that it is legally valid, clearly drafted, and tailored to your circumstances. It is especially sensible to seek advice if you have a blended family, a family business, overseas assets, or you want to provide for someone vulnerable, as small drafting errors can create avoidable disputes or delay later.

2. Do I need a solicitor for probate, or can I do it myself?

You can do probate yourself if the estate is straightforward (for example, few assets, no disputes, and limited tax complexity), but many people instruct a solicitor to reduce stress and avoid delays or costly mistakes. It is usually sensible to seek advice where there is property to sell or transfer, Inheritance Tax issues, missing paperwork, overseas assets, or any risk of disagreement between beneficiaries.

3. How much does it cost to instruct Spall Clark for a Will, probate or an LPA?

Please see our pricing page.

4. How long does probate usually take in England and Wales?

The Probate Registry currently advise that it takes them up to 12 weeks to issue Probate. However, complex applications can take longer. Note that this only applies to the application itself and not the process before and after.

5. What is an LPA (or POA), and when should I put one in place?

An LPA (Lasting Power of Attorney) also known as POA (Power of Attorney) is a legal document that lets you appoint one or more trusted people (your attorneys) to make decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so yourself. There are two types; one for health and welfare, and another for property and financial affairs. You should put one in place as early as possible as they can only be put in place while you have mental capacity to make an LPA.

Related guidance

• Wills
• Probate and Estate Administration in Cheshire
• Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs): What to consider
• STEP
• Association of Lifetime Lawyers

Checklist: what to consider and prepare before you instruct a solicitor

1. Your aims: For example protecting a vulnerable child.
2. Key names and details: executors, beneficiaries, attorneys, replacement attorneys.
3. Financial circumstances: value of assets such as property, savings, investments, pensions, business interests.
4. Family information: children, vulnerable beneficiaries, overseas connections.
5. Documents (if relevant): existing Will, existing Power of Attorney, death certificate (for probate matters).

Next steps

If you would like to instruct a solicitor for a Will, probate, or LPAs in Congleton or across Cheshire, we would be pleased to help. To book a free initial consultation, please call us on 01260 769 639. We offer appointments at our Congleton office or in your own home. Alternatively, meetings can be carried out online (e.g. via Teams).