Make a will: Expert estate planner and personal will writer can help estate planning in Rugby and Warwickshire

The man behind Rugby Wills describes himself as a ‘people person’ who has had a lifetime working with people in and around his home town of Rugby.

Now he dedicates his time and expertise helping people to set their affairs in order – to ensure their hard-earned money and possessions end up in the right hands.

Christian Bell is well aware of how emotions can run high when someone dies – it’s not always possible to know what their wishes might have been, and even less so if there is no written evidence of what they wanted.

The former engineer has worked for himself as a computer support engineer for small businesses and had a life and career change when he trained and worked in psychotherapy.

“I’m very much a people person,” he said. “I’m a good listener and wanted something where I could look after people and give a professional service.” When he decided to take a break from psychotherapy, he knew retirement wasn’t an option – he loves the interaction with people and enjoys working.

So he set out to train in will-making and estate planning and worked with a national company for a few years before once more striking out on his own, setting up Rugby Wills Ltd, a full member of the Society of Will Writers.

Why make a will?

There are many reasons for making a will, Christian says, but the biggest one is that without it, you die ‘intestate’ – and that means the Government will control your affairs, paying off any debts and taxes first, which could even mean selling the house and possessions and no-one in the family has any say in the matter. Also, young families would have no control over who would be the guardian

“People don’t always understand that intestacy is a ‘one size fits all’ process,” says Christian. This can mean more of your money unnecessarily going into taxes compared to making the right will – or ring fence assets in trusts – but it could also mean your legacy going someone who might not have been your first choice of benefactor, missing out people you would have wanted to look after.

“People think it will all work out fairly,” he says. “But that’s not always the case. Making a will means looking after your loved ones, your children, are all okay – it also means making sure as little as possible is swallowed up in taxes like inheritance tax and capital gains tax.”

Christian’s firm not only helps you sort out specific instructions for what happens to your assets but can help with trusts, powers of attorney and memorandum of wishes which can cover everything from who can access your accounts to what music is played at your funeral; what happens to your Facebook account; to who has guardianship of your children.

Personal service

Christian prides himself on providing a truly professional and personal service – the first meeting with clients is held in person, at a place and time of your choice. Discretion is paramount and he says he understands wills are extremely personal and those making a will don’t necessarily wish other family members or friends to know about their wishes.

He offers a no obligation private meeting to discuss your needs and will then set out what he suggests is the best course of action once he has got to know your wishes and your circumstances. Only when you are happy with the proposal, and have seen the documentation plus quote, will you be asked to pay any money.

“After that I will be looking after your wishes going forward. I ring clients every couple of years or so to ensure they are still happy with their arrangements or to see if anything has changed,” he said.

The documents themselves can be left with clients, although that is not advised as they can be too easily lost, damaged or destroyed, or they will be kept in secure storage with a third party company. Equally, although Rugby Wills does not carry out probate it does work closely with a company that does.

What’s the process?

You can request a meeting via the booking system on the website here.

Then there will be a face-to-face visit at home or a venue you choose, where Christian will listen to you and explain your options. He will provide a no obligation quote and draft documents to check. If you decide to go ahead, you will be presented with an invoice to pay once the documents are finalised, and then arrange to sign (attest) your documents with your witnesses, or use his free witnessing service.