Begin with the circumstances that have changed
An estate planning review is most useful when the professional understands your family, assets and priorities together. Tell us what prompted the enquiry, such as a relationship change, property purchase, business development or concern about a dependant. Yudey can organise the information for an accepted professional review. We do not assume that every client needs a trust, a new will or the same planning structure.
The legal document scope should identify the relevant jurisdiction, including any England and Wales will advice. Government guidance outlines the role of a will in planning what happens after death. [1] Scotland, Northern Ireland and overseas connections require appropriate separate consideration. Tax, pension and financial advice also need the relevant professional scope rather than being inferred from document preparation.
Build an ownership overview
List the main assets and liabilities, explaining who owns each and what record supports that information. Separate sole ownership, joint arrangements, company interests and assets held through another structure. Approximate values should be labelled as estimates with a date. The preparation can organise the overview but does not provide a valuation or determine the legal ownership of a disputed asset.
Include property, savings, investments, business interests and relevant digital or intellectual property records. Pension and insurance arrangements may need their own documents and specialist questions. Do not assume that every benefit is controlled by the will in the same way. The professional should assess the applicable arrangement and any nomination or contractual information needed.
Record wishes without assuming their legal effect
Describe the people or organisations you want considered and any practical concerns about timing, vulnerability or fairness. The brief can distinguish firm instructions from issues you want to explore. A family conversation should not be presented as a binding distribution arrangement without advice. The donor or testator's own instructions remain central, with confidentiality and authority established where relatives assist.
Provide information about dependants, previous relationships and relevant obligations. These facts help the adviser assess the planning context and potential issues. We do not promise that a document eliminates every challenge or gives effect to every desired restriction. Sensitive wishes should be handled through an agreed channel and reviewed by the professional responsible for the advice.
Read existing documents as a connected set
Bring existing wills, codicils, powers, trust records and relevant agreements. Identify where originals are held and whether you know of later versions. The preparation can create an index and flag apparent inconsistencies. It does not revoke, amend or validate an instrument, and an unsigned draft should remain clearly distinguished from an executed document.
Business agreements, joint ownership records and foreign documents may affect the review. The relevant professionals should coordinate where their scopes overlap. We do not assume an England and Wales document resolves overseas succession, local formalities or tax exposure. Translation, local advice and specialist assessments require express agreement with the responsible providers rather than an implied part of a general estate pack.
Agree the review and implementation path
An accepted output can include an asset overview, document index and wishes brief for the appointed adviser. The engagement should identify whether advice, drafting, execution support or further coordination is included. Tax consequences and financial product decisions require appropriate advice; no tax saving or protected inheritance is guaranteed. Implementation should follow reviewed instructions and properly allocated responsibilities.
Request a quotation with the main planning questions and jurisdictions involved. Fees are stated in GBP with applicable VAT and separate professional charges identified. The review file should be updated when material facts change rather than treated as permanently complete. Its purpose is to support informed planning with a clear record of assumptions, outstanding decisions and the professionals responsible for each part.
Official information behind this service
Sources checked on 8 September 2026. Use the linked guidance for subsequent changes.