fast, friendly service
Expert Estate Planning Across Weston-super-Mare, Bristol & the South West.
Do you need specialist estate planning services? We help families across Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas secure their legacy with confidence. From Wills to Trusts and LPAs, we're here to help. Call us on 01934 442030 today.
Full Member of the Society of Willwriters
Free initial conversation with no obligation
Satisfaction Guaranteed on All Work
At Futura Planning, we help individuals and families plan ahead with confidence. From Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney to Trusts and Inheritance Tax planning, our estate planning services are designed to protect what matters most to you and ensure your wishes are carried out.
We are professional Estate Planning Consultants and fully qualified members of The Society of Will Writers — not solicitors — and we work to the high standards set out in the Society's Code of Practice. Where a matter requires the involvement of a solicitor (for example, complex probate or contentious cases), we're happy to advise you and can refer you to a trusted legal partner.
Our Estate Planning Services Include:
Will Writing
The foundation of any estate plan. We'll help you set out clearly how you'd like your estate distributed, who should act as executor, and who should care for any children, giving you and your family peace of mind.
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
Planning isn't only about what happens after you're gone — it's also about making sure the right people can act on your behalf if you're ever unable to make decisions yourself. We'll help you put financial and health & welfare LPAs in place.
Trusts (including Property Protection Trusts)
Trusts can be a valuable part of an estate plan, offering added protection and flexibility for how your assets are passed on. A Property Protection Trust, for instance, can help protect your share of the family home for your children, while allowing a surviving partner to continue living there.
Inheritance Tax Planning
We'll help you understand how Inheritance Tax may affect your estate, and look at the options available to help reduce its impact — so more of your legacy goes to the people and causes you care about.
Will Storage & Updates
Life changes, and your Will should keep pace with it. We offer secure storage for your documents and a simple process for reviewing and updating them as your circumstances evolve. Read more about our Will Storage & Updates Service.
What Bristol, Bath & North Somerset Clients Say
Why Choose Futura Planning for Your Estate Planning?
- Fully qualified members of The Society of Will Writers, working to recognised professional standards
- Clear, jargon-free advice, tailored to your individual circumstances
- Flexible appointments — online consultations or home visits across the South West
- A trusted local team, serving Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, and the surrounding areas
Plan Ahead with Confidence
Whether you're putting plans in place for the first time or reviewing existing arrangements, our friendly team is here to guide you every step of the way. Get in touch today for a no-obligation chat about your estate planning needs.
Why Choose a Bristol-Based Estate Planning Specialist?
Bristol is one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK, with a thriving property market, a strong base of owner-managed businesses, and a diverse community spread across neighbourhoods from Clifton and Redland to Bedminster and Easton. Estate planning needs here are just as varied.
Futura Planning Ltd is rooted in the Bristol community. We understand local property values, Bristol City Council powers of attorney processes, and the specific concerns of families across Avon, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. We offer face-to-face consultations at a location convenient to you — including home visits across the Bristol BS postcode area.
Estate Planning Areas we Serve Across Bristol & the South West
|
Bristol City Neighbourhoods |
Surrounding Areas |
|
Clifton & Clifton Down |
Bath & North East Somerset |
|
Redland & Cotham |
South Gloucestershire |
|
Westbury-on-Trym |
North Somerset |
|
Bishopston & St Andrews |
Thornbury & Chipping Sodbury |
|
Bedminster & Southville |
Clevedon & Nailsea |
|
Easton & St George |
Portishead & Pill |
|
Horfield & Filton |
Yate & Chipping Sodbury |
|
Henleaze & Stoke Bishop |
Whitchurch |
Futura Planning is proud to be a member of:
Our Estate Planning Services
1. Wills
A professionally drafted Will is the cornerstone of any estate plan. Without one, the Intestacy Rules — not your wishes — will govern who inherits your estate.
Futura Planning Ltd drafts clear, legally valid Wills for Bristol residents across all circumstances:
- Single and Mirror Wills for couples
- Wills with Testamentary Trusts to protect children's inheritances
- Blended family Wills addressing step-children and previous relationships
- Business owner Wills incorporating shareholder and succession provisions
- High-value estate Wills with inheritance tax planning considerations
- Review and update of existing Wills following life changes (marriage, divorce, new property)
Why it matters in Bristol:
Bristol's property market is among the strongest outside London, with average house prices in areas like Clifton regularly exceeding £600,000. Without a Will, your family home could be subject to costly and emotionally draining disputes. We help Bristol homeowners and families secure the right outcome from the outset.
2. Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that authorises a person you trust — your 'Attorney' — to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the mental capacity to do so yourself. There are two types:
| Type of LPA | What it covers |
| Property & Financial Affairs LPA | Bank accounts, investments, property transactions, bills, and financial decisions — usable while you still have capacity (with your permission), or only after capacity is lost. |
| Health & Welfare LPA | Medical treatment decisions, care home choices, day-to-day personal welfare — only usable when you have lost capacity. |
Our Bristol LPA service covers:
- Preparation of both LPA types (recommended together for full protection)
- Guidance on choosing suitable Attorneys and replacement Attorneys
- Assistance with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) registration process
- LPAs for business owners covering business banking and company decisions
- Review of existing LPAs to ensure they remain fit for purpose
| Did you know?
An LPA must be registered before it can be used. Registration can take several weeks. We help Bristol clients plan ahead and avoid the stress of applying to the Court of Protection — a far more expensive and time-consuming process — if capacity is unexpectedly lost without one in place. |
3. Trusts
A Trust is a legal arrangement where assets are held by appointed Trustees for the benefit of named Beneficiaries. Trusts are among the most powerful — and often underused — tools in estate planning.
Futura Planning Ltd advises Bristol clients on a range of Trust structures:
| Trust Type | Primary Use |
| Discretionary Trust | Flexibility for Trustees to distribute assets among a class of Beneficiaries; ideal for protecting vulnerable or financially immature beneficiaries |
| Life Interest Trust | Allows a surviving spouse to benefit from an estate during their lifetime while protecting the capital for children from a previous relationship |
| Nil Rate Band Trust | Maximises use of the inheritance tax threshold (currently £325,000) within a married couple's estate |
| Property Protection Trust | Ring-fences a share of the family home to protect it from care fees assessments or a surviving spouse's remarriage |
| Business Property Trust | Structures business assets to qualify for Business Property Relief (BPR) and ensure smooth succession |
Frequently Asked Questions — Estate Planning
How much does a Will cost in Bristol?
The cost of a professionally drafted Will in Bristol varies depending on complexity. Futura Planning Ltd offers transparent fixed-fee pricing. A single standard Will starts from a competitive base fee; mirror Wills and those incorporating Trust provisions are priced to reflect the additional drafting involved. Contact us for a no-obligation quote.
How long does it take to set up an LPA?
Drafting your LPA documents typically takes 1–2 weeks once we have gathered all required information. Registration with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) then takes a further 8–20 weeks, depending on OPG workload. We strongly advise registering while you have full capacity — do not wait until a health crisis arises.
Do I need a Trust if I already have a Will?
A Will and a Trust serve different purposes. A Will comes into effect only upon your death. A Trust can provide additional protection — for example, a Property Protection Trust can safeguard your home from care fee assessments. Many clients benefit from having both. We will advise you on whether a Trust is appropriate for your circumstances.
What happens if I die without a Will in Bristol?
Your estate will be distributed under the Intestacy Rules, which follow a strict legal formula regardless of your personal wishes. Unmarried partners receive nothing under intestacy, regardless of how long they have been together. If you have children, your spouse or civil partner may not automatically inherit your entire estate. We strongly recommend putting a Will in place as soon as possible.
Can Futura Planning Ltd visit me at home in Bristol?
Yes. We offer home visits across Bristol and surrounding areas including South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, and Bath. Home visits are especially popular with clients who have mobility challenges, or who simply prefer the convenience of meeting in their own surroundings.
Is my estate plan reviewed periodically?
We recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3–5 years, or whenever there is a significant life event — marriage, divorce, new child, property purchase, inheritance, or business change. As an existing client, you will receive reminder communications and priority access to our review service.
Book a Free Consultation — Bristol's Estate Planning Specialists
Taking the first step towards protecting your family and your assets is easier than you think. Futura Planning Ltd offers a free, no-obligation initial consultation — by phone, video call, or in person at your hom.
To arrange an informal initial conversation, please get in touch.
A Personal and Straightforward Approach
One of the things many people appreciate about Wedmore is its strong sense of community and personal connection, and we believe estate planning should reflect those same values.
Our approach focuses on:
clear explanations without unnecessary jargon
taking time to understand your circumstances
creating practical solutions tailored to your wishes
making the process feel approachable not overwhelming
No pressure and no unexpected extra costs
building long-term trusted relationships
If you pass away without a Will...
Many believe that, upon their passing, their belongings will automatically go to their chosen beneficiaries. However, this is frequently not the case. Your family may have to deal with unexpected problems such as:
Unmarried partner gets nothing
Unnecessary Inheritance Tax
A court decides who raises children
Delays in administration
Family conflicts
Children from first marriage disinherited
What might happen if you don't have Lasting Power of Attorney?
Whilst you are looking at putting a Will in place, it can be a helpful time to consider whether you already have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Many assume their loved ones would automatically be able to make decisions on their behalf should something unforeseen happen, yet often this is not the case. Injury, serious illness etc can cause a loss of mental capacity, temporarily or permanently. If that should happen...