Proud Members of the Society of Will Writers
At Howay Legal, we’re proud to be full members of the Society of Will Writers and Estate Planning Practitioners (SWW) – a leading self-regulatory body for professionals in the will writing and estate planning industry. While will writing isn’t regulated by the government, the SWW plays a vital role in holding its members to high standards. For our clients, this means added peace of mind. You can trust that we’re trained, insured, and working in line with a clear Code of Practice designed to protect you. What our SWW Membership Means for You As members, we commit to acting in your best interests at all times. We undergo continuous professional training, follow industry-leading guidelines, and carry full Professional Indemnity Insurance. We also abide by the SWW’s clear expectations when it comes to confidentiality, data protection, client care, and ethical conduct. In short -you can be confident that your Will or Lasting Power of Attorney is being handled professionally, respectfully, and properly. What to Do If You’re Ever Concerned We always aim to resolve any concerns openly and promptly. However, if you’re not satisfied and feel something hasn’t been handled properly, the SWW has a formal complaints process that you can access for independent help. Before raising a complaint with the Society, you’ll need to give us the opportunity to resolve the issue directly. That means writing to us and clearly explaining your concerns and how you’d like them resolved. If we can’t come to an agreement, you’re welcome to escalate your complaint to the SWW for review. How the SWW Can Help The Society of Will Writers will assess whether your complaint relates to a breach of their Code of Practice. If so, they may be able to help in a number of ways. In some cases, the Society will offer conciliation, where they work with both sides to reach a fair outcome. This might involve practical solutions, clearer communication, or even a financial settlement -although the SWW does not have the power to award compensation directly. If the matter is more serious, or can’t be resolved informally, it may be passed to a case manager for further investigation. Should disciplinary action be necessary, the Society has a formal process in place for that too. It’s important to note that the SWW cannot intervene in every kind of dispute. For example, issues around fees or contract terms may fall under civil law, while concerns around financial advice or criminal matters may need to be addressed by the FCA or the police. How to Get in Touch with the Society of Will Writers If you’ve followed the steps above and would like to escalate a concern, you can contact the SWW using the details below or by completing their online complaints form: The Society of Will WritersChancery HouseWhisby WayLincolnLN6 3LQ 📞 Phone: 01522 687888📧 Email: info@willwriters.com🌐 Website: www.willwriters.com📝 Submit a Complaint: Click Here Choosing a firm like Howay Legal – supported by the Society of Will Writers and committed to doing things right – means you’re in safe hands. We’re here to make planning for the future simple, straightforward, and fully supported from start to finish.
🏡 Severance of Tenancy – What It Means and How We Can Help
At Howay Legal, we’re often asked: “Do I need to sever my tenancy?” If you co-own a property, understanding how that ownership is structured – and whether it should be changed – is an important part of estate planning. In this post, we’ll explain: The difference between joint tenants and tenants in common Why you might want to sever your tenancy How we can help, including our £120 fixed-fee service 🔑 Joint Tenants vs Tenants in Common 👥 Joint Tenants If you own your home as joint tenants, each owner holds 100% of the property. You share it equally, and: You can’t leave your share to anyone in your Will If one of you dies, the other automatically inherits the whole property (this is called the right of survivorship) This setup is common for married couples and partners who want everything to go to each other. 🧾 Tenants in Common If you hold the property as tenants in common, each person owns a distinct share. This could be 50/50 or unequal shares (e.g. 60/40). The main benefit? ✅ You can leave your share of the property to whoever you like in your Will. This is especially useful if: You have children from a previous relationship You want to place your share of the home into a trust You’re no longer in a relationship with your co-owner You’re doing estate planning and want more control ✂️ What is Severance of Tenancy? Severing a tenancy means changing ownership from joint tenants to tenants in common. This removes the automatic right of survivorship and allows each owner to deal with their share separately. This is particularly important if your Will includes a life interest trust – for example, you want your partner to live in the property after your death, but your share to ultimately go to your children. 🛠️ How We Can Help At Howay Legal, we offer a simple, fixed-fee severance of tenancy service for just £120. Our service includes: ✅ Drafting the Notice of Severance✅ Preparing and submitting the SEV form to HM Land Registry✅ Guidance on serving the notice (in joint or unilateral severance)✅ Support throughout the process – no jargon, just clear steps✅ Optional coordination with your Will or trust documents We’ll also advise if the title is unregistered and what steps to take, and we can help update your name on the register if needed. ❓ Common Questions 🔹 Can I do this without my co-owner’s agreement? Yes – this is called a unilateral severance. One owner can serve a Notice of Severance on the other, and we can guide you through that process, including the required evidence for HM Land Registry. 🔹 How do I check how my home is currently owned? We can obtain a copy of your Land Registry title for just £3 and confirm whether you hold the property as joint tenants or tenants in common. 🔹 Does this affect mortgage or ownership rights? No. Severing the tenancy changes how the property is held legally, but doesn’t affect your mortgage or the fact that you co-own the property. 📑 Why It’s Important Without severing a joint tenancy, your share of the home will automatically pass to the other owner – even if your Will says otherwise. Signing a Notice of Severance clearly shows your intention to hold the property as tenants in common and ensures your estate planning reflects your wishes. 💬 Ready to Get Started? Our fixed-fee £120 severance of tenancy service makes the process simple and affordable. 📲 Message us on WhatsApp📞 Or book a free call – we’re happy to explain the process in plain English.
It’s Never Too Early – or Too Late – to Write Your Will
When people think about writing a Will, it’s often something they put on the “someday” list. It can feel like a job for the future, or something to be tackled later in life. But in reality, making a Will is one of the most thoughtful and important things you can do – no matter your age or stage in life. At Howay Legal, we work with all sorts of people. Young couples buying their first home, parents wanting to name guardians for their children, individuals with blended families, retirees putting their affairs in order – everyone has their own reasons for wanting that peace of mind. What unites them is a simple desire to make sure their wishes are clear and that their loved ones are looked after. A Will gives you control. It ensures that your money, property, and possessions go exactly where you want them to. Without one, the law decides who inherits what – and that might not be what you intended. It can also make things harder for the people you care about at an already emotional time. If you have children, a Will allows you to legally appoint guardians, so you know who will be there for them if you’re not around. It also lets you leave personal gifts or messages, support charities, or set out any special wishes that matter to you. We know that many people put off making a Will because they worry it will be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming. That’s why we keep things straightforward, friendly, and tailored to you. Whether you’d prefer a home visit or a remote appointment, we work in a way that suits your lifestyle and comfort level. The truth is, writing a Will doesn’t have to be daunting – and it’s never too early or too late to get it done. Whether you’re planning ahead or catching up on something you’ve been meaning to do for years, we’re here to help you get it sorted. So, if you’re thinking about it – don’t wait. Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of clarity and peace of mind.
