Wills, Trusts and Probate: The key things families in the North East need to know

Sort Legal, the region's well-known conveyancing specialist, has expanded its services with a new Wills, Trusts and Probate department, aimed at supporting families through some of life's biggest milestones, not just moving home.

Heading up the new department is Lisa Caine, who brings more than 20 years of experience in estate planning to the role. She's joined by long-term colleague Hayley Brown, with the pair having worked together for eight years and now looking forward to serving clients from Sort Legal's South Tyneside offices.

Lisa explains why so many of us put off writing a Will, the biggest misconceptions she hears, and the one simple step she says could save your family a lot of stress.

Q: Sort Legal, more so known for their Conveyancing services, have recently launched a dedicated Wills, Trusts and Probate department. What prompted this expansion?

A: We've built our reputation around helping people move home, but we realised many of our clients were coming back to us with questions about Wills, Powers of Attorney and planning for the future. It felt like a natural next step. We wanted to be able to support people, not just when they're buying a home, but throughout life's bigger milestones and give them somewhere they can turn for trusted legal advice.

Q: Many people put off writing a Will. Why do you think that is?

A: I think it's one of those jobs people know they should do, but it's easy to keep putting off. No one really enjoys thinking about what happens after they're gone, and there's often a feeling that there's plenty of time. The reality is that life doesn't always go to plan, and having a Will in place can make things so much easier for the people you leave behind.

Q: Is making a Will something only older people should be thinking about?

A: Definitely not. If you're over 18 and you've got people you care about, it's worth thinking about. Buying your first home, getting married, having children or even just building up savings are all good reasons to make a Will. It's not really about age—it's about making sure your wishes are clear.

Q: What are some of the biggest misconceptions you hear about Wills?

A: One we hear a lot is, "My family will automatically get everything." That's not always true. If you don't have a Will, there are legal rules that decide who inherits, and they don't always reflect what someone would have wanted. Another misconception is that Wills are only for people with lots of money, when actually they're just as much about protecting your family and making life easier for them.

Q: Is a Lasting Power of Attorney something people should arrange while they're fit and healthy?

A: Yes, because that's exactly when you need to do it. A Lasting Power of Attorney can only be made while you still have the capacity to make your own decisions. It's easy to think it's something for much later in life, but illness or accidents can happen unexpectedly. Having one in place means the people you trust can step in if they ever need to.

Q: Probate can seem overwhelming, particularly after losing a loved one. How can legal support make the process easier for families?

A: When someone dies, there's already so much to deal with emotionally. On top of that, there's paperwork, banks, property, and sometimes tax matters to sort out. It can feel overwhelming. Having someone guide you through the process and deal with the legal side of things can take a huge weight off families at a really difficult time.

Q: When is the right time to think about estate planning?

A: Earlier than most people think. Estate planning isn't something you only do in retirement. It's worth looking at whenever your circumstances change—whether you've bought a house, had children, got married or divorced, or simply want to make sure everything's organised for the future.

Q: What gives clients the greatest peace of mind after they've put a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney in place?

A: It's usually the relief of knowing it's done. People often tell us they've been meaning to sort it out for years, and once it's in place they feel much more comfortable knowing their wishes are clear and that their family won't be left trying to work everything out themselves.

Q: How can a simple conversation today save your family a lot of stress later?

A: Having those conversations now, and putting the right documents in place, can prevent a lot of uncertainty later on. It means your family knows what you wanted and doesn't have to make difficult decisions without any guidance. It can also help avoid unnecessary delays or disagreements at what's already a very emotional time.

Q: If readers could take just one step today to better protect their family and their assets, what would you recommend?

A: Just start the conversation. Whether that's speaking to a Solicitor, reviewing an old Will or finding out more about Lasting Powers of Attorney, taking that first step is often the hardest part. Once you've done it, you'll probably wonder why you waited so long.

Lisa's advice is a timely reminder that estate planning isn't just for later life, and that a conversation today can spare loved ones a great deal of stress further down the line.

Sort Legal's new Wills, Trusts and Probate department is now taking appointments from its South Tyneside offices, offering support with Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate, Asset Planning and Court of Protection.

To speak to Lisa, Hayley, or a member of the team about protecting your family's future, contact Sort Legal today on 0333 3231091 or visit Wills, Trust and Probate to book a consultation.