Wills & Estate Planning
Protect your assets, provide for loved ones and secure lasting peace of mind
A professionally drafted Will is one of the most important legal documents you can put in place. It gives you certainty and control over what happens to your assets, your family and your legacy after your death. A clear and legally valid Will ensures that your wishes are followed, your loved ones are provided for and your estate can be administered efficiently and with minimal stress.
For many people, the concern is not just about who inherits, but whether everything will actually work in practice when the time comes. Without a properly prepared Will, even simple estates can become complicated, with uncertainty over executors, delays in administration, and disagreements between family members at an already difficult time. Small oversights can also create unintended consequences that only become apparent after it is too late to correct them.
Without a Will, your estate is distributed according to the strict rules of intestacy. These rules may not reflect your intentions and can lead to unintended outcomes, such as unmarried partners or stepchildren receiving nothing, family disputes, unnecessary delays and increased costs. In some cases, the absence of a Will can also result in higher inheritance tax and emotional strain for those left behind.
At Ellis-Fermor & Negus, we advise individuals and families on all aspects of Wills, Will updates, and wider estate planning. Our role is to help you protect what matters most, reduce uncertainty and plan confidently for the future — whether your estate is straightforward or complex. We take the time to understand your personal circumstances, explain your options clearly and ensure your arrangements are structured in a way that reflects your wishes and avoids unnecessary complications for those you leave behind.
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‘Very happy with the service and guidance received and would have no hesitation recommending Grace to others. Grace was excellent.’
Grace Steele
Director and Head of Will and Probate
Why choose Ellis-Fermor & Negus?
Clients trust us because we combine legal expertise with clear, practical advice delivered with care.
Hundreds of Wills drafted each year, from simple to highly complex
Specialist experience in blended families, trusts, business assets and high-value estates
Ongoing support to keep Wills and estate plans up to date
Meet the team
Grace Steele
Grace is a Director and head of our Wills and Probate Department, with over 30 years’ experience in Private Client work in the East Midlands area. Graduating in Law from Sheffield University she trained with a large law firm in Derby. Grace specialises in Inheritance tax planning, Wills, complex and high-value Probate Administration. Grace has…
01773 307 362 | 07562 398394
grace.steele@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Grace Steele is based at our Belper Office.
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Kim Kirk
Kim is a qualified Solicitor and became Deputy Head of Department for Wills and Probate as of April 2025. Kim was made an Associate Solicitor as of May 2025. Kim graduated in law in Sheffield and completed her Legal Practice Course in Nottingham. Kim qualified as a Solicitor in 2012 after completing her training in…
Luke Smyth
Luke is an experienced solicitor and joined Ellis-Fermor Negus in May 2023 as part of the Long Eaton Private client team. He joined the Ripley team in May 2024. Luke qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and has worked in the legal industry since 2005. Luke studied at Sheffield University, graduated in Law and completed…
Joanna Bridges
Joanna qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 1996 and joined us in 2012 to work in the Wills & Probate department at our Beeston office. Joanna specialises in Wills & probate matters, acting in the preparation of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney and in the administration of estates. She also deals with Court…
0115 922 1591
Joanna.Bridges@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Joanna Bridges is based at our Beeston Office.
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Rosie Woodward
Rosie is currently on Maternity leave until 2026. Rosie Woodward is an experienced Legal Executive and joined Ellis-Fermor & Negus Solicitors in November 2022 as part of the Belper Private Client team. Rosie completed a Law degree in Sheffield in 2017 and then trained at a rural branch office of a large Sheffield-based firm, qualifying…
01773 821 665
rosie.woodward@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Rosie Woodward is based at our Belper Office.
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Kenley Flint
Kenley started her career at our Ripley office in 2002 as an office junior straight from school. She then went on to become a Legal Secretary and has experience in Personal Injury, Conveyancing and Litigation. Kenley also completed 2 years at college, to qualify as a Paralegal in 2006. After taking some time out to…
01773 821665
Kenley.Flint@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Kenley Flint is based at our Belper Office.
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Elina Topham
Elina Topham joined our Belper team in July 2023 as a Paralegal in Wills & Probate. Elina has gained extensive legal knowledge working at local firms in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire in various different roles. Elina is experienced in advising and assisting clients with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection and Estate Administration…
01773 821 665
elina.topham@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Elina Topham is based at our Belper Office.
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Khloe Drabble
Khloe joined the Wills and Probate team at Ripley in 2025 having qualified as a Solicitor in 2023. She graduated from the University of Derby for both her law degree and legal practice course which she followed with a training contract at a firm in Nottinghamshire. Khloe specialises in Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.…
01773 744744
khloe.drabble@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Khloe Drabble is based at our Ripley Office.
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Shane Nightingale
Shane is a Private Client Fee Earner in our Wills & Probate department at our Belper Office having joined us in April 2025 with previous experience in Wills & Probate at another local firm. Originally from Peterborough, Shane moved to Derby where he studied LLB Law at the University of Derby, graduating in 2022 with…
0115 821 665
shane.nightingale@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Shane Nightingale is based at our Belper Office.
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Elissa Dagnall
Elissa is a Private Client Fee Earner in the Wills and Probate team at our Beeston office. Originally from London, Elissa moved to Nottingham to study Law at the University of Nottingham. After graduating, Elissa completed an internship year at Trent Vineyard Church, helping within their Compassion ministry projects. Elissa then went on to work…
0115 922 1591
Elissa.Hartley@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Elissa Dagnall is based at our Beeston Office.
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Rebecca Green
Rebecca grew up in Long Eaton and started her career at Ellis-Fermor & Negus in 2002 as an office junior. Rebecca has worked in the legal industry for over 20 years and qualified in 2015. She re-joined the Long Eaton office in April 2024 as a Chartered Legal Executive in the Wills and Probate Department.…
0115 972 5222
Rebecca.Green@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Rebecca Green is based at our Long Eaton Office.
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Laura Ambalavanar
Laura is currently on Maternity leave until 2026. Laura qualified as a Probate Paralegal in November 2016 and has 4 years’ experience in Private Client work. Laura has experience in the preparation of Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and the administration of straightforward estates and works alongside Rebecca Green on all other Private Client work.…
0115 972 5222
Laura.amba@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Laura Ambalavanar is based at our Long Eaton Office.
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Matthew Insley
Matt is a Private Client Fee Earner in the Wills and Probate department at our Long Eaton office, he joined Ellis-Fermor & Negus in January 2025. Matt studied Law at the University of Hull and graduated in 2022. In 2023 Matt started studying for his LPC which he does part time at the weekends. Matt…
0115 697 7269
matthew.insley@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Matthew Insley is based at our Long Eaton Office.
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Jordan McGregor
Jordan is a Trainee Solicitor currently working in the Wills and Probate team at our Beeston office. Originally from Dorset, Jordan moved to Cardiff where he studied law at Cardiff University, where alongside his final year of study, he completed an internship year at his church Cardiff Vineyard. After graduating, Jordan spent a week with…
0115 922 1591
jordan.mcgregor@ellis-fermor.co.uk
Jordan McGregor is based at our Beeston Office.
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Reviews, what our clients are saying…
Wills & Estate Planning FAQs
A Will provides clarity, protection, and peace of mind for you and those you care about. It allows you to make informed decisions now, rather than leaving difficult and sometimes distressing situations for your family to resolve later.
A professionally drafted Will enables you to:
- Decide exactly who inherits your assets, including property, savings, investments, business interests and personal belongings
- Appoint trusted executors to manage your estate efficiently and in accordance with your wishes
- Provide financial security for children, stepchildren and other dependants
- Appoint guardians for minor children
- Make specific gifts to family members, friends, or charities
- Create trusts to protect assets or manage inheritance for vulnerable beneficiaries
- Reduce the likelihood of disputes, challenges, or misunderstandings after your death
Without a Will, the law — not you — decides who benefits from your estate. This can result in outcomes that are not only unexpected but deeply upsetting for families. Proper Will planning ensures your intentions are clear.
We offer tailored Will writing and estate planning advice to individuals, couples, families and business owners. Our approach is personal, practical, and legally robust, ensuring your Will reflects both your wishes and your wider circumstances.
Our services include:
- Drafting new Wills – clear, comprehensive and legally valid Wills tailored to your needs
- Updating or amending existing Wills – reflecting life changes such as marriage, divorce, children, property purchases, or changes in financial circumstances
- Mirror Wills – for couples wishing to leave assets to each other while making provision for children or other beneficiaries
- Codicils – making minor changes without rewriting the entire Will
- Complex estates – advice for blended families, high-value estates, business ownership, agricultural assets and overseas property
We take time to understand your priorities and explain your options clearly, ensuring your Will is practical, future-proofed and legally secure.
One of the primary purposes of a Will is to protect those closest to you. Careful planning can prevent financial uncertainty, disputes and hardship for your family during an already difficult time.
Our advice helps ensure your Will:
- Provides long-term financial security for children and dependants
- Protects vulnerable beneficiaries through trusts or controlled inheritance arrangements
- Makes provision for beneficiaries with disabilities without affecting entitlement to benefits
- Includes clear instructions for pets, personal items, and sentimental possessions
- Reflects your values through charitable gifts or legacy donations
- Minimises the risk of disputes or claims against your estate
By addressing these matters clearly and professionally, you significantly reduce the risk of challenges under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and give your loved ones clarity and reassurance.
A Will is the foundation of estate planning, but it is often only one part of a broader strategy. Comprehensive estate planning ensures that your affairs are managed effectively during your lifetime and after your death.
We also advise on:
- Trusts – for asset protection, tax efficiency, and long-term family planning
- Inheritance Tax planning – using exemptions, reliefs, and charitable giving to reduce tax exposure
- Powers of Attorney – allowing trusted individuals to make decisions if you lose capacity
- Deputyship applications – where no Power of Attorney is in place
- Business succession planning – ensuring continuity and protection of business interests
By integrating these elements, we help you create a cohesive, forward-thinking plan that protects both your estate and your loved ones.
Contact Us
If you want to protect your assets, provide for your loved ones, and plan your estate with confidence, our experienced team is here to help.
• Phone:
0115 972 5222 (Long Eaton)
0115 896 3390 (West Bridgford)
0115 922 1591 (Beeston)
01773 821665 (Belper)
01773 744744 (Ripley)
• Email: infomation@ellis-fermor.co.uk
• Online Enquiry: ellis-fermor.co.uk/contact-us