Find the right UK guidance

England and Wales

Most detailed Here4Wills guides explain the rules for England and Wales. Check each page’s scope before acting.

• Making a will: GOV.UK.
• Lasting powers of attorney: GOV.UK.
• First steps after a death: GOV.UK.
• Probate and dealing with an estate: GOV.UK.

A lasting power of attorney has separate money/property and health/welfare types. Probate is the process used to obtain authority for an estate when a grant is needed.

Scotland

Do not use an England-and-Wales will-signing checklist as Scottish instructions. Scottish will rules and family rights differ.

• Making a will: mygov.scot.
• Continuing and welfare powers of attorney: mygov.scot.
• Registering a death: mygov.scot.
• Confirmation and estates: Scottish Courts.

Continuing powers cover money and property. Welfare powers cover health and personal welfare. The court document used when dealing with an estate is called confirmation.

Northern Ireland

Use Northern Ireland’s own forms and guidance. Its enduring power of attorney covers property and financial affairs; it is not the health-and-welfare LPA used in England and Wales.

• Making a will: nidirect.
• Enduring power of attorney: nidirect.
• Who to tell after a death: nidirect.
• Probate: nidirect.

If more than one place is involved

Where someone lives is not always the only factor. Property abroad, a move between countries or an existing document from another legal system can change what is needed.

Tell a solicitor about all relevant places and documents. Do not cancel an existing will or assume a power of attorney works elsewhere without checking. Ask which law and process apply before signing new documents.