“Dad Always Said He’d Sort the Paperwork Next Week…” — But Next Week Never Came
When the family gathered after David’s funeral, they expected the hardest part was over.
Instead, the questions began.
“Did Dad leave a Will?”
“Who can deal with his bank accounts?”
“What happens to the house?”
No one knew the answers.
David had spoken about making a Will for years, but life always seemed to get in the way. He had never signed a Lasting Power of Attorney, and because the family home was owned as joint tenants, his children were surprised to learn that his share of the property did not pass under his estate in the way they had assumed.
What followed was months of uncertainty, paperwork, legal formalities, and avoidable stress at a time when the family simply wanted to grieve.
Sadly, this story is all too familiar…
Many people believe estate planning is something to think about in later life. The reality is that illness, accidents, and unexpected events can happen at any age. Without the right legal documents in place, your loved ones may be left making difficult decisions without knowing what you would have wanted.
A professionally prepared Will ensures your estate passes according to your wishes.
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to do so.
Severing a Joint Tenancy can be an important step in protecting your family’s inheritance, allowing your share of a property to pass under your Will rather than automatically to the surviving owner. For many families, it forms a key part of sensible estate planning.
There is also another reason not to delay. The fee for applying for a Grant of Probate has recently increased, meaning families administering an estate may face higher costs than before. Planning ahead cannot remove every expense, but it can help reduce complications, avoid unnecessary delays, and give your loved ones greater certainty during an already difficult time.
At our firm, we believe peace of mind is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your family.
Whether you’re making your first Will, updating an existing one, putting LPAs in place, considering the severance of a joint tenancy, or dealing with the estate of a loved one, our experienced Private Client Team is here to provide clear, compassionate, and practical advice.
Don’t leave your family with unanswered questions. Leave them with a clear plan instead.
Contact our Private Client Team today to arrange a confidential consultation and take the first step towards protecting the people and the assets that matter most.
Expert Legal Support…
With three conveniently located offices, Thomas Boyd Whyte Solicitors specialises in delivering expert legal advice across a range of practice areas, including Criminal Defence Residential and Leasehold Property Transactions, Wills & Probate, Tax Planning, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and all aspects of Family Law, including Divorce and Separation.
Community Offices…
Our offices are easily accessible, situated along local bus routes, within a five minute walk of Bexleyheath Station, and with nearby car parking facilities.
We invite you to contact us to discuss how we can provide tailored, high quality legal solutions to meet your needs.



