Estate Planning Lawyers
Planning ahead is one of the most valuable steps you can take to protect your loved ones and safeguard your assets.
Thoughtful estate planning gives you clarity and confidence in the future and ensures the people who matter most are supported when they need it.
At Bennett Griffin, our estate planning lawyers provide clear, practical guidance that is tailored to your personal and financial circumstances.
Whether you are reviewing an existing Will, exploring inheritance tax planning, setting up a trust, or preparing for future care needs, we are here to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
We support individuals and families across West Sussex with compassionate, straightforward advice.
What Is Estate Planning and Why Is It Important?
Estate planning involves much more than deciding what happens to your assets after you die.
It is about protecting your wealth during your lifetime, planning for the unexpected, and ensuring your wishes are followed in the future.
A well-structured estate plan can help you:
- Reduce inheritance tax exposure
- Protect your assets for future generations
- Plan ahead in case you lose mental or physical capacity
- Provide for vulnerable or dependent loved ones
- Prepare for future care and long-term funding needs
Every family is different. That is why our estate planning lawyers take the time to understand your circumstances, priorities, and concerns before creating a plan that reflects what you want to achieve both now and in the years ahead.
What Can an Estate Plan Include?
A comprehensive estate plan may cover a wide range of arrangements, including:
- Making or updating a Will
- Creating trusts to protect family wealth
- Reviewing how property is owned
- Preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Planning for care home fees and long-term care
- Business succession planning
- Digital asset planning
Our lawyers can help you build an estate plan that works together seamlessly across all areas of your life.
Our Estate Planning Services
We offer a full range of estate planning legal services to help you make confident, informed decisions about your future.
Our advice is always tailored to your priorities, tax position, family structure, and long-term goals.
Our services include:
- Wills
- Trusts
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Probate Support and Planning
- Care Home Fee Planning
Making a Will
Having a professionally drafted Will ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes and helps make the probate process simpler for your loved ones. We can advise on how to structure your Will in a tax-efficient way, taking into account assets, property, dependants, and legacies.
Trusts
Trusts can be a powerful estate planning tool for protecting family wealth, supporting vulnerable beneficiaries, or reducing inheritance tax. Our estate planning lawyers can help you set up the right type of trust for your needs.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint trusted people to make decisions about your health, welfare, property, and finances if you become unable to make decisions yourself. We provide clear, compassionate advice to help you plan ahead with confidence.
Probate Planning
Your estate plan can also help make the administration of your estate more straightforward for your executors. We can advise on steps to minimise delays, reduce disputes, and ensure your wishes are legally protected.
Care Home Fees
Many people worry about how they will fund long-term care or protect their home if they later need residential care.
With careful planning, you may be able to structure your assets and estate to support your future needs while preserving your wealth for your loved ones.Why Choose Bennett Griffin for Estate Planning?
We understand that planning for the future can feel overwhelming, especially when big decisions affect the people you care about most.
That is why we take a friendly, thoughtful, and down-to-earth approach.
When you work with us, you can expect:
- Over 30 years of experience supporting families across West Sussex
- A highly skilled Private Client team with specialist expertise
- Clear, jargon-free advice tailored to your needs
- Close collaboration with trusted financial advisers
- Transparent costs with clear guidance from the outset
- A supportive team that genuinely cares about doing what is right for you
Your peace of mind is our priority.
Contact Our Estate Planning Lawyers in West Sussex
If you’re considering your estate planning options, our approachable and knowledgeable lawyers are here to help.
With offices in both Worthing and Chichester, Bennett Griffin offers trusted estate planning services to clients across West Sussex.
Contact our team on either 01903 229999 or 01243 256370.
Alternatively, email info@bennett-griffin.co.uk or fill in the online form below, and one of our experts will contact you shortly.
Estate Planning: Frequently Asked Questions
+Who should consider Estate Planning?
Estate planning is helpful for anyone who wants to protect their assets, support their loved ones, or plan ahead for future care. It is not only for people with large estates. Even a simple plan can make a meaningful difference to the way your estate is managed and preserved.+When should I review my estate plan?
Most people should review their estate plan every few years or whenever a major life event occurs, such as marriage or divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying or selling property, receiving an inheritance, or experiencing a change in health or financial circumstances. Regular reviews ensure your wishes remain up to date and legally effective.+Can Estate Planning help reduce Inheritance Tax?
Yes. Thoughtful planning can significantly reduce the impact of inheritance tax. Options may include lifetime gifts, charitable legacies, creating trusts, or reviewing how your assets are owned. We always encourage clients to seek independent financial advice alongside our legal guidance.+What happens if I do not have an Estate Plan?
If you pass away without a valid Will or clear instructions, your estate will be distributed under Intestacy Rules. This may not reflect your wishes and can sometimes lead to delays or disputes. A proper estate plan gives you control and helps make things easier for the people you care about.+How can Trusts be used in Estate Planning?
Trusts allow you to manage and protect assets in a structured way. You can create trusts during your lifetime or include them in your Will. They can help you support young or vulnerable beneficiaries, reduce inheritance tax, protect assets from risks such as divorce or financial difficulty, and ensure money is used for its intended purpose. Our lawyers will help you choose the right type of trust for your circumstances.+What is the Role of a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) lets you appoint trusted people to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to make them yourself. This can relate to your health, welfare, property, or finances. Having an LPA in place provides peace of mind for you and reassurance for your loved ones.+Can Estate Planning help protect my home from care fees?
For some clients, it may be possible to structure their estate in a way that supports future care needs while helping to protect assets for their family. Every situation is different and the law in this area is complex. We will talk through your options clearly and help you understand what may be appropriate for your circumstances.-
Your Bennett Griffin Team
- Worthing: 01903 229999
- Chichester: 01243 781000
- E: info@bennett-griffin.co.uk
