Military Legal Services · Chester & England & Wales
Military Wills & Probate
Specialist Wills for Serving Personnel, Veterans & Military Families
Operational Wills, emergency Wills, military pension planning and probate for military estates — from our Chester office, serving England and Wales.
No obligation — speak to us first.
Why Serving Personnel Need a Specialist Military Will
A standard Will may not be sufficient for serving personnel. Military service creates unique legal and financial circumstances that require specialist advice — from the complexity of military pension death benefits to the practicalities of making a Will before deployment.
At PDA Law, our Wills and probate team works alongside our military claims specialists to provide comprehensive advice to serving personnel, veterans and military families in Chester, Cheshire and across England and Wales.
Operational & Emergency Wills
Wills prepared quickly for personnel about to be deployed, including advice on privileged Wills for those on active service.
Military Pension Planning
Advice on death-in-service benefits, survivor's pensions and how to ensure your family is protected under AFPS 75, AFPS 05 and AFPS 15.
Probate for Military Estates
Specialist probate advice for families dealing with the estate of a deceased service person or veteran, including complex military assets.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
LPAs for serving personnel — ensuring someone you trust can manage your affairs if you are incapacitated during service.
Part of Our Wider Wills & Probate Service
Our military Wills and probate service is part of our wider Wills, Trusts & Estates practice. We can also advise on trusts, inheritance tax planning, and estate disputes.
Military Wills & Probate — Common Questions
Why do serving personnel need a specialist military Will?
Serving personnel face unique circumstances that make specialist Wills essential. Operational deployments, the risk of death or serious injury on active service, and the complexity of military pensions and death-in-service benefits all require careful consideration. A specialist military Will ensures your wishes are carried out and your family is protected.
What is an operational Will?
An operational Will (sometimes called a "privileged Will") is a simplified Will that can be made by a serving soldier on active service without the usual formalities required by the Wills Act 1837. It can be made verbally or in writing without witnesses. However, a properly drafted formal Will is always preferable where time allows.
What happens to my military pension if I die in service?
Military pension death benefits are complex and depend on the pension scheme you are in (AFPS 75, AFPS 05 or AFPS 15). Benefits may include a lump sum death gratuity, a survivor's pension for your spouse or civil partner, and children's pensions. These benefits are generally paid outside your estate and are not covered by your Will — but your Will should be drafted with these benefits in mind.
Can I make a Will if I am about to be deployed?
Yes. We can prepare a Will quickly for personnel who are about to be deployed. We can advise by telephone or video call and arrange for the Will to be executed before you leave. We strongly recommend that all serving personnel have an up-to-date Will before deployment.
What is probate for a military estate?
Probate for a military estate involves obtaining the legal authority to administer the estate of a deceased service person or veteran. Military estates can be complex, involving death-in-service benefits, military pensions, compensation awards and property. We can guide the family through the probate process and ensure all assets are properly identified and distributed.
Military Legal Services — Also Relevant
Your Wills & Probate Team
Our specialist Wills, Trusts & Estates lawyers handle all military wills and probate matters.
Nikolina Vukovic
Legal Executive — Wills, Trusts & Estates
Nikolina specialises in probate, wills, trusts and estate administration. She supports clients through what is often one of the most difficult periods of their lives — from straightforward administrations to complex estates involving property, inheritance tax and sensitive family circumstances.
Call to speak with our team
Darren Steele
Senior Private Client Executive · STEP Member
Darren has worked in the legal sector since 1998 and has been a STEP member since 2011. He specialises in wills, trusts, lasting powers of attorney and probate — with particular expertise in inheritance tax planning and complex estate structuring.
Call to speak with our team
Laura Kirton
Wills & Probate Solicitor · 10 Years Qualified
Laura is a qualified solicitor with ten years' post-qualification experience, specialising in wills, probate, and lasting powers of attorney. Known for her calm, methodical approach, she brings both legal expertise and genuine insight to every matter — particularly in emotionally complex family situations.
Call to speak with our team
David Stahler
Wills, Trusts & Estates Executive
David is our first point of contact for clients enquiring about wills and estate planning. He brings a warm, personable approach to what can be a sensitive subject — and clients consistently remark on how at ease he makes them feel. Discreet, approachable, and thorough.
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Speak to a Military Wills Solicitor
Confidential advice for serving personnel, veterans and military families — no obligation.
Prefer to speak with us? Call 01244 757352