At Farsight Wills, both of our offices sit right in the heart of the communities we serve —Ermin Street in Swindon, and Lydney, in the Forest of Dean. That local footing matters. Property prices, family circumstances and local services all shape the estate planning decisions that make sense for you, and this week we’re taking a closer look at what’s relevant for homeowners across Swindon and Wiltshire.
Why local house prices are worth a moment’s thought
According to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, the average house price in Swindon was around £257,000 in early 2026, while across Wiltshire as a whole the average sits closer to £325,000. Property values in our area have held up well, and that’s good news for homeowners — but it also means more families are edging closer to the point where inheritance tax becomes relevant.
The standard inheritance tax nil-rate band is £325,000 per person, with an additional residence nil-rate band of £175,000 available when a home is passed to children or grandchildren — both frozen until April 2031. Add in savings, pensions and a second property, and it’s easy to see how a family home in Wiltshire, on its own, could bring an estate close to these thresholds. A well-structured Will and, where appropriate, a trust can make a real difference to how much of your estate reaches the people you care about.
Start with a Will
Research from the Money and Pensions Service found that over half of UK adults don’t currently have a valid Will. Without one, English law decides who inherits your estate under the intestacy rules — which may not reflect your wishes at all, particularly for unmarried couples, stepfamilies or anyone with more complex arrangements.
A Will is the foundation of any estate plan, and it’s usually more straightforward — and more affordable — than people expect. You can read more about our Wills and Mirror Wills service, including our free home visits across Swindon, Wiltshire and the Forest of Dean.
Planning ahead with a Lasting Power of Attorney
As our local population ages, more families are recognising the value of putting a Lasting Power of Attorney in place while they’re still able to. An LPA lets you choose, in advance, who would manage your property and finances, or make health and welfare decisions on your behalf, if you were ever unable to do so yourself. It’s one of the most practical, reassuring steps you can take — for you and for the people who’d otherwise have to apply to the Court of Protection on your behalf.
Protecting the family home
With house prices in Wiltshire remaining strong, many local homeowners are understandably concerned about the impact of future care home fees on the value of their property. Our Protective Property Trusts are designed to help safeguard a share of the family home for your loved ones, giving you greater peace of mind about what you’ll be able to pass on.
When the time comes: probate support
If you’re dealing with the estate of a loved one, our probate and estate administration service is here to guide you through it, step by step, from valuing the estate through to distributing it. Probate applications have been taking longer in recent years, so getting good advice early — and having a clear, up-to-date Will already in place — can save your family a good deal of time and worry.
A local, independent firm you can visit
Farsight Wills is an independent, family-run firm and a member of the Institute of Professional Will Writers, operating under their Code of Practice. We offer free home visits across Swindon, Wiltshire, the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire, so you can talk things through comfortably, in your own home, at your own pace. You can find out more about us or check our prices and frequently asked questions online.
Not sure where to start?
You can download our free info pack and price list from our website — a simple, no-obligation way to see how Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Trusts and probate services work, and what they cost.
Get in touch
We’d be glad to help you take the next step, whichever office suits you best:
- Swindon office: 01793 433705
- Lydney office: 01594 801137
- Email: info@farsightwills.com
Or visit our Contact Us page to arrange a free, no-obligation appointment.