Chester · Cheshire · North Wales
Wills Solicitors Chester
Solicitor-drafted wills, trusts and estate planning — protecting what matters most to you and your family.
PDA Law is a Chester-based firm of solicitors specialising in wills, trusts, inheritance tax planning and estate administration. We act for individuals and families across Chester, Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales — providing clear, professional advice at a fixed fee, confirmed in writing before any work begins.
Wills & Estate Planning Services in Chester
Our Chester-based wills and estates team provides a full range of private client services — from straightforward will writing to complex inheritance tax planning and estate disputes.
Will Writing
Professionally drafted wills — single, mirror and wills with testamentary trusts.
Mirror Wills
Wills for couples that mirror each other — ensuring your estate passes as you intend.
Trusts
Protecting assets for children, vulnerable beneficiaries and future generations.
Inheritance Tax Planning
Structuring your estate to reduce IHT exposure — gifting, trusts and reliefs.
Lasting Power of Attorney
Appoint someone to manage your affairs if you lose mental capacity.
Deed of Variation
Redirect an inheritance after death to reduce tax or benefit other family members.
Contesting a Will
Challenging a will on grounds of capacity, undue influence or fraud.
Probate & Estate Administration
Applying for probate and administering an estate — from straightforward to complex.
Why Chester Families Choose PDA Law
Solicitor-led service
Your will is drafted by a qualified solicitor or STEP-qualified specialist — not a will-writing company or paralegal.
STEP-qualified expertise
Darren Steele has been a STEP member since 2011, with specialist expertise in inheritance tax planning and complex estate structuring.
Transparent, fixed fees
We confirm costs in writing before any work begins. No hidden charges, no surprises.
Chester-based
We are based in Chester and understand the local area. We regularly act for families across Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales.
Sensitive approach
Making a will involves thinking about difficult subjects. We handle every matter with care, discretion and patience.
SRA regulated
PDA Law is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Your matter is protected by professional indemnity insurance.
Common Questions About Making a Will in Chester
Most adults in Chester and Cheshire do not have a will — or have one that is out of date. Here are the questions we are asked most often.
What happens if I die without a will in Chester?
If you die without a will, the intestacy rules decide who inherits your estate — and the result is often not what you would have chosen. Unmarried partners receive nothing. Stepchildren receive nothing. Your estate may pass to distant relatives you have never met. Making a will is the only way to ensure your wishes are carried out.
Read our full guide to dying without a will →How do I update my will after a major life change?
Marriage automatically revokes a previous will in England and Wales. Divorce does not revoke a will but removes your ex-spouse as a beneficiary and executor. Having children, buying property, or a significant change in assets are all reasons to review your will. We can advise on whether a codicil or a new will is the right approach.
Read our guide to updating a will →What is the best way to plan my estate if I have a blended family?
Blended families — where one or both partners have children from previous relationships — require careful will planning. Without the right structure, your assets could pass entirely to your surviving spouse and then to their children, leaving your own children with nothing. Trusts and carefully drafted wills can protect all the people you care about.
Read our guide to wills for blended families →Wills Solicitors Serving Chester & the Surrounding Area
PDA Law is based in Chester and acts for clients across Cheshire, Wirral and North Wales. Many clients deal with us entirely by phone, video call and email — no need to travel.
We also act for clients throughout England and Wales — including those with property or family connections in North Wales. For cross-border estate issues, our team has particular experience with estates spanning England and Wales.
Our Chester Wills & Estates Team
Your matter will be handled by a qualified solicitor or STEP-qualified specialist — not a will-writing company or unregulated provider.
Laura Kirton
Wills & Probate Solicitor · 10 Years Qualified
Wills & ProbateLaura is a qualified solicitor with ten years' post-qualification experience, specialising in wills, probate and lasting powers of attorney.
Darren Steele
Senior Private Client Executive · STEP Member
IHT Planning & TrustsDarren has been a STEP member since 2011, with specialist expertise in inheritance tax planning and complex estate structuring.
Nikolina Vukovic
Legal Executive — Wills, Trusts & Estates
Wills & Estate AdministrationNikolina specialises in probate, wills, trusts and estate administration, supporting clients through complex and sensitive matters.
David Stahler
Wills, Trusts & Estates Executive
Client EnquiriesDavid is the first point of contact for new wills and estate planning enquiries — warm, approachable and thorough.
Frequently Asked Questions — Wills Solicitors Chester
Where are your wills solicitors based in Chester?
PDA Law is based at Crown Buildings, 121A Saughall Road, Chester CH1 5ET. We are conveniently located for clients across Chester city centre, Hoole, Handbridge, Upton and surrounding areas. Many clients across Cheshire and North Wales deal with us by phone, video call and email — no need to visit in person unless you prefer to.
How much does a will cost in Chester?
The cost of a will depends on its complexity. A straightforward single will is typically less expensive than a mirror will or a will with testamentary trusts. At PDA Law, we confirm costs in writing before any work begins. Contact us on 01244 757352 for a no-obligation quote.
Do I need a solicitor to make a will in Chester?
You are not legally required to use a solicitor, but a solicitor-drafted will is far less likely to be challenged, misinterpreted, or fail to achieve your intentions. Online will-writing services and DIY wills frequently contain errors that only become apparent after death — when it is too late to correct them. We strongly recommend using a qualified solicitor.
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will takes effect on your death and sets out how your estate should be distributed. A trust is a legal arrangement that can operate during your lifetime or be created by your will — it holds assets for the benefit of named beneficiaries and can provide protection from care home fees, inheritance tax and family disputes.
Can you help with inheritance tax planning in Chester?
Yes. Our Chester-based wills and estates team includes Darren Steele, a STEP member with particular expertise in inheritance tax planning. We can advise on the nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band, lifetime gifting, trusts and business property relief — and help you structure your estate to minimise your family's tax exposure.
Do you cover North Wales as well as Chester?
Yes. PDA Law serves clients across Chester, Cheshire, Wirral, Ellesmere Port, Wrexham, Flint, Mold, Deeside and throughout North Wales. We have particular experience with cross-border estate issues for clients with assets or family connections on both sides of the border.
Can I make a will without visiting your Chester office?
Yes. Many of our clients across Cheshire and North Wales deal with us entirely by telephone, video call and email. We can take your instructions remotely, draft your will, and arrange for it to be executed correctly — without you needing to visit our Chester office. We are happy to arrange a home visit for clients who are unable to travel.
What is a lasting power of attorney and do I need one?
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document that appoints someone you trust to manage your affairs if you lose mental capacity. There are two types: a property and financial affairs LPA, and a health and welfare LPA. We strongly recommend making both LPAs alongside your will — without them, your family may need to apply to the Court of Protection, which is a lengthy and expensive process.
How long does it take to make a will in Chester?
A straightforward will can typically be drafted and executed within one to two weeks of taking your instructions. More complex wills — involving trusts, inheritance tax planning, or business interests — may take longer. We will give you a realistic timescale when you contact us. If you need a will urgently, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
What happens to my estate if I die without a will in Chester?
If you die without a valid will, your estate is distributed under the intestacy rules — regardless of your wishes. Unmarried partners receive nothing. Stepchildren receive nothing. Your estate may not pass to the people you would have chosen. Making a will is the only way to ensure your estate passes as you intend.
Can I update my will after making it?
Yes — you can update your will at any time while you have mental capacity. You can either make a new will (which revokes the old one) or add a codicil for minor changes. We recommend reviewing your will every three to five years and after any major life event — marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or significant change in your financial position.
Speak to a Wills Solicitor in Chester
Clear, professional advice — costs confirmed in writing before any work begins.
No obligation — talk through your options first. Chester, Cheshire & North Wales.
Make an Enquiry
Send us a message and a member of our wills and estates team will be in touch within one working day.
Related wills & estate planning services
Wills
Professionally drafted wills for all circumstances.
Trusts
Property protection, discretionary and life interest trusts.
Inheritance Tax Planning
IHT mitigation strategies, lifetime gifting, and nil rate band planning.
Lasting Power of Attorney
Appoint someone you trust to manage your affairs if you lose capacity.
Deed of Variation
Redirect an inheritance within two years of death.
Fees
Transparent fixed fees for wills, trusts and estate planning.
Related: Probate
Probate Solicitors
Grant of probate, estate administration and executor support.
Applying for Probate
How to apply for a grant of probate — step by step.
Full Estate Administration
We manage the entire process from asset valuation to final distribution.
Executor Advice
Practical guidance for executors — duties, liability and family disputes.
Do I Need Probate?
When probate is required and when it is not.
Probate Fees
Transparent pricing for probate and estate administration.
Related: Lasting Power of Attorney
Lasting Power of Attorney
Appoint someone you trust to manage your affairs if you lose capacity.
Types of LPA
Property & Financial Affairs vs Health & Welfare — which do you need?
Making an LPA
Step-by-step guide to making a lasting power of attorney.
LPA Costs
Solicitor fees, OPG registration fees and what affects the total cost.
Registering an LPA
How to register an LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Court of Protection
If a loved one has lost capacity without an LPA, a Court of Protection order may be needed.