This June marked a special milestone for us here at Farsight Wills — fifteen years since we first opened our doors in 2011. What began as a small, independent Will-writing practice in Swindon has grown into a firm trusted by families right across Wiltshire and the Forest of Dean. To mark the occasion, we wanted to take a moment to look back at how things have changed over the last fifteen years, and to say a heartfelt thank you to the many clients who have put their trust in us along the way.
Growing to Serve the Forest of Dean
We started out serving Swindon and the surrounding Wiltshire area, and over the years we extended our home-visit service further afield to families across the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire, with a contact base in Parkend, Lydney. Wherever you’re based, our approach has always stayed the same: plain English advice, no jargon, and a free home visit at a time that suits you. You can read more about us and our story here.
How Estate Planning Has Changed in 15 Years
More Families Are Planning Ahead — But There’s Still Work To Do
Fifteen years ago, talking about Wills and later-life planning was still something of a taboo subject for many families. Awareness has grown steadily since then, helped by national campaigns and greater openness about planning for the future. Even so, recent research from the Money and Pensions Service found that over half of UK adults still don’t have a Will in place. It’s a reminder that there’s still plenty of work to do — and it’s exactly why we do what we do. If you haven’t yet made a Will, our Wills page explains how straightforward the process can be.
The Rise of Lasting Powers of Attorney
One of the biggest changes we’ve seen is the huge rise in demand for Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). As the population has aged, more and more families have come to understand that an LPA — not just a Will — is an essential part of planning ahead, giving people you trust the legal authority to help manage your affairs if you’re ever unable to do so yourself. One thing that hasn’t changed for the better, unfortunately, is how long registration can take — the Office of the Public Guardian is currently taking a good many weeks to register applications, so our advice has always been the same: don’t leave it until it’s needed. You can find out more on our Lasting Power of Attorney page.
Remote Appointments and Digital Change
The pandemic brought changes to the way legal and estate planning services were delivered across the country, including a temporary period when Wills could be witnessed by video link. Witnessing arrangements have since returned to the traditional in-person requirement, but the wider shift towards flexible, remote-friendly appointments has stayed with us — including phone consultations for clients who find it easier to talk things through before committing to a home visit.
Protecting the Family Home
We’ve also seen growing interest in Protective Property Trusts, as more families think ahead about how to protect their home for their children and grandchildren, particularly where care costs later in life are a concern. If this is something you’ve been wondering about, our Protective Property Trusts page sets out how they work.
Probate Timelines
On the probate side, waiting times have fluctuated a good deal over the years, with some real improvements recently following a Government push to clear the backlog at HM Courts & Tribunals Service. Even so, every estate is different, and it remains one of the most common questions we’re asked. Our Probate page has more information on what to expect if you’re dealing with the estate of a loved one.
Thank You
None of the last fifteen years would have been possible without the trust our clients have placed in us, and we’re proud to remain a member of the Institute of Professional Will Writers, upholding their Code of Practice in everything we do. Whether we helped you write your first Will, put an LPA in place, or supported your family through probate, thank you for being part of our story.
What Hasn’t Changed
Some things we hope never change: plain English advice, home visits for those who’d prefer them, and time taken to properly understand each family’s circumstances before recommending anything. As we look ahead to the next fifteen years, that’s the promise we’re making to every client, old and new.
Take the Next Step
If you haven’t reviewed your Will or LPA in a while — or haven’t got round to making one yet — there’s no better time than a milestone like this to take the first step. You can download our free info pack and price list from our website, with no obligation.
You can also see full pricing on our Prices page, or check our FAQ page for answers to common questions.
Get in Touch
- Swindon office: 01793 433705 — 160 Ermin Street, Swindon, SN3 4NE
- Forest of Dean / Lydney: 01594 801137 — 1 Mount Pleasant, Parkend, Lydney, GL15 4JY (contact address — home visits by appointment across the Forest of Dean)
- Email: info@farsightwills.com
Or visit our Contact Us page to get in touch online.