Family protection check

Ten quick questions to see whether your family would be protected if something happened to you. Nothing is stored.

Do you have a will?
Do you have children under 18?
Have you named guardians for them in a will?
Do you live with a partner you're not married to?
Do you or your partner have children from a previous relationship?
Do you have lasting powers of attorney?
Would you leave money to someone disabled or vulnerable?
Do you own a business or farm?
Is everything you own worth over £500,000 (including your home)?

Family protection check

Based on the law in England and Wales as it stood on 14 November 2026. An illustration, not advice.

Ask a specialist how to reduce this

Why these questions matter

Most families don't realise there's a problem until someone dies or loses capacity. By then it's usually too late to fix. The most common gaps we see are no will at all, a will cancelled by a later marriage, no guardians for young children, unmarried partners left unprotected and no powers of attorney.

Found a gap? Most can be fixed in a single appointment with a will and two lasting powers of attorney. Request a call back.

Worried about inheritance tax? Try the calculators at Inheritance Tax Guide. Worried about care home fees? See Care Fees Guide.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I review my will?

Every three to five years, and after any big change: marriage, divorce, a new partner, children or grandchildren, moving house, a death in the family or a big change in your finances.

Does getting married cancel my will?

Yes, in England and Wales marriage or civil partnership cancels an existing will unless it was made in expectation of that marriage. The Law Commission has recommended changing this, but for now the rule still applies.

Do I need a will if everything is joint?

Usually yes. If you both die together, or the survivor later dies without a will, the intestacy rules apply. A will is also where you name guardians for children.

Request a call back

Tell us a little about your situation and we'll call you, usually within one working day, to understand what you need. If it would help, we'll then put you in touch with a specialist, such as a solicitor who deals with wills and powers of attorney. We'll always tell you who they are before passing on your details. We don't give advice ourselves, and there's no obligation.

We only use your details to respond to you, and only share them with a specialist after telling you who they are. See our privacy notice.