Wills & Power of Attorney
Don’t put it off, plan for the future today
Don’t put it off, plan for the future today
Preserve your wealth for future generations
With over 100 years experience
None of us know what the future holds and so, whatever your age, you should plan for what will happen to your assets after your death or if you lose mental capacity.
Our specialist lawyers practice in Wills, Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters. We will advise you on the best way to protect your wealth for the future, provide for your loved ones and minimise tax.
Our clients rate us excellent


Sue Greenman
Everything was completed professionally and within my tight time scales. I would like to say thank you and would definitely go back to Goughs should I need help in the future.


Ali McBrine
Thank you Alice Blackmore for your fantastic professional support, with care, compassion and kindness, of our need for explanation and understanding of the system and language in a lot of correspondence. Thank you too for being always being honest and empathic of our feelings.


Andrew Alvis
Another well-managed transaction handled promptly and professionally by Nadine Cook and her team. We have used Goughs before, will use again and would not hesitate to recommend their services to anybody.


Phil Carter
Goughs Solicitors provide a friendly, professional and extremely reassuring service. The whole team, especially Georgina Catlin, are empathetic and provide sound advice when required, you definitely feel you are in safe hands.
Why choose Goughs?
Our team have worked with thousands of clients over the years to ensure their families are well looked after on their death and that their wishes are acted upon as planned.
We can assist you with…
We’re recommended by the leading legal guide; the Legal 500.
Why work with Goughs?

Local since 1882, with an excellent reputation
First-class, effective service

Largest solicitors in Wiltshire
Seven offices throughout the county

Nationally accredited law firm
Recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners
View our Wills and Powers of Attorney videos







Your Wills and Powers of Attorney team
Annie James
Solicitor
Annie qualified as a Private Client solicitor in 2016 and joined Goughs in February 2020. She specialises in the preparation of Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, preparation and administration of Trusts, and the administration of Estates. Annie prides herself on taking the time to really understand the needs and priorities of her clients.
Elizabeth Stiddard
Contentious Private Client Paralegal
Elizabeth is a Contentious Private Client Paralegal. Her passion for private client work stemmed from her training period at Goughs, when she realised that she had a natural empathy with clients and their difficult and challenging situations, and could use the law to help them to achieve the positive outcomes that they deserved.
Emma Taylor
Partner & Head of Private Client
Emma began her life at Goughs in 2008 as a Solicitor. Now, with over 15 years of experience, she is a Partner and Head of the Private Client Department. Emma deals with all areas of Private Client work but has a particular interest in Trusts and Complex Property Ownership.
Popular questions
about making a Will and LPAs
In many situations, people make assumptions about how their estate will be distributed on their death and therefore don’t make a Will. We strongly advise against this as the ‘Intestacy Rules’ that come into play, in the event no will has been prepared, are very strict.
Having a Will is a good way of protecting children. Should the parents die prior to their eighteenth birthday, this is their opportunity to appoint a Guardian’ to take care of their child(ren).
Making a Will is also particularly important if you are in a relationship, living together or if you have remarried and there are biological and/or stepchildren who should benefit from your estate. They won’t necessarily benefit under ‘Intestacy’ so you will need to make provisions for this.
If you should be separating from your partner or spouse, you should review any existing Will, or make a new Will, particularly if there are children involved. Divorce does not revoke a Will. The Will remains valid but no gifts to your former spouse take effect.
Creating a Will yourself or through an online provider might look like a favourable option in terms of costs, however we’d strongly advise against this.
Having a solicitor to draw up your Will means it is very flexible in terms of the Executors that are chosen, they are prepared in accordance with what you want, and then stored safely and securely.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the accuracy of the Will can be guaranteed. It is easy to make ambiguous statements or even errors when constructing your own Will, which could lead to stress for a grieving family and even huge expense in correcting upon your death.
It is important to keep your Will updated to ensure it continues to reflect your circumstances. Any changes in your personal circumstances should trigger the review of your Will.
At Goughs Solicitors, we’re happy to look at your personal circumstances to ensure your Will is still reflecting your wishes.
It’s a common misconception that Lasting Powers of Attorney are for the elderly but mental incapacity can affect anyone, regardless of age. Unfortunately, no one knows what the future holds and anyone can have an accident or be struck down by an illness and in this respect a Lasting Power of Attorney is just as essential as having a Will in place.
By making a Lasting Power of Attorney you can have peace of mind that in the future all of your affairs will be dealt with by your chosen, trusted Attorney.
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