Private Client Consultant
Chris brings over 24 years of experience in financial services and has dedicated the last 15 years to specialising in will writing and estate planning. Qualified with the Institute of Professional Will Writers (IPW) and the Society of Will Writers and Estate Planners (MSWW), he upholds the highest professional standards while providing insightful, client-focused advice. Having navigated personal loss, Chris possesses a unique depth of empathy and understanding that is particularly valuable when working with vulnerable clients. His commitment to continuous professional development is shown through his additional studies in dementia care and his CeMaP Distinction in Mortgage and Protection, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive approach to his practice. What Chris finds most fulfilling is guiding clients through their concerns and helping them move confidently towards proactive solutions, often accompanied by shared moments of levity. Outside of work, he values quality time with his wife, enjoying adventures with their motorhome and motorbike, or with their five children.
Legal & Technical team
WillPack is a founding member of the Society of Will Writers and acts as our back-office legal department. They have been trading for over 30 years, making it one of the oldest surviving companies drafting Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and other legal documents on behalf of associates. They ensure we keep up-to-date with changes in legislation relating to estate planning. Complex cases may be drafted and checked by the legal team.
A power of attorney ensures that someone you trust can act on your behalf when you’re unable to do so.
Read MoreA guardianship clause in your Will is crucial because informal arrangements are not legally enforceable. Ensure your children will be cared for by someone you trust in the way you intend.
Read MoreA document that advises executors on handling the estate, funeral, and personal matters. It explains the reasons and goals behind the Will and trust.
Read MoreSplitting joint ownership into individual shares gives each person control and the ability to leave their share in a Will.
Read MoreThe original copies of your Will and legal documents are the only ones that are legally valid. They should be kept in a secure place where they can be easily found and accessed when needed.
Read MoreFacilitating family discussions about the potential impact of life-changing events such as the 3D's Divorce, Dementia, & Death. These meetings help to ensure that everyone's concerns are addressed and that your estate plan reflects your wishes, with less likelihood of disagreements or concerns.
Read MoreIt’s wise to review your Will at least every three years, or earlier if significant life changes, to ensure it still reflects your wishes.
Read MoreAn Advance Decision allows you to refuse medical treatment if you lose the capacity to make decisions. It ensures your wishes are known to your family and medical professionals.
Read MoreWE AIM TO SURPASS YOUR EXPECTATIONS. OFFERING EXCEPTIONAL VALUE, GUIDANCE, AND SERVICE.
Please CLICK TO leave a reviewI chose Chris to apply for LPAs. He was informative, and I was soon confident I made the right choice. I was particularly happy to have home visits as I don't like doing business on the phone. He was very easy to talk to and willing to discuss and explain things. Chris has planned a process in which his fee covers everything, even stationary and postage. I would have no hesitation in recommending Chris.
Full Review"I needed a Power of Attorney for my foreign property, but the solicitor's quote of £800 was too expensive. I got all the documents for myself, mother, & brother at a fair price. He is an honest person, and I recommend him to my family.
"I wrote my Will three times. After my wife died, my brother and I reconciled briefly, but we fell out again. I don't have much of value, but my medals and records are important. I gave Chris something when I updated my Will for the third time, but it probably didn't even cover the cost of his petrol. Thanks."
"We thought a basic Will was enough but our daughter's specific needs exceeded our budget. Chris added the Trust for free instead of providing a Will that wouldn't match our needs. We're grateful and happy to recommend him."
I have divorced my husband and definitely don't want him to have custody of our children or any more of our money. Chris explained a few strategies that would help to ensure that my children are protected.
"My husband needed an operation but was nervous to discuss it. I booked the appointment and Chris made us feel at ease. He wrote and signed the Will within 48 hours."
"I got an LPA for my daughter to help me on bad days. We needed it urgently, so we got a General one for now. He called my son to explain. My daughter is relieved."
I bought a house after a divorce. I needed a Will as my health wasn't great, and there were now a few people who I definitely did not want to inherit. I did not know anyone in the area, so he organised a Witness for me. Great Guy!
I've been with my partner for 12 years, have three kids, and own a house in his name. I contribute to the mortgage and bills, but we found out that I would inherit nothing if something happened to him because we're not married. Also, he has no legal rights over the kids as his name isn't on the birth certificates. We sorted these issues out, but it was a wake-up call.
"As a teen, I had a child but lost contact. I need to do right by them. I was helped to leave an inheritance confidentially."
Fern Wills & LPAs made setting up my will and trust straightforward and affordable. Their transparent pricing was refreshing!
Chris is very easy to talk too and listens. Able to explain technical jargon in a way we could understand. Chris responded very quickly to questions we raised. Involving my family in discussions can be distressing. Chris understands and is able to put people at ease. Chris is passionate about what he does and this is evident. We would have no hesitation in recommending him.
Full reviewGetting my mum's LPAs in place was a worry/stress and seemed extremely complicated. But thanks to Chris it was made extremely easy. Chris explained everything to all involved in a way we could all understand. He visited my mum's home and made us all feel very relaxed. For us personally it was all done effortlessly. It didn't feel uncomfortable, we all got on very well and had a laugh (my mum's a bit of a character). I can't thank Chris enough for making the whole experience smooth, effortless and more easy for us to understand. I would and will highly recommend him if you find the the thought of reading all the paperwork a stress and overwhelming. Thank you Chris from all involved 😀😍. If you are reading this and need help please give him a call.
Outstanding, Informative and Personal service. Chris prioritised our understanding of the services we had requested, breaking down processes so that they were understandable, clear with timelines and made our task of completing official paperwork easy and accurate. Chris takes genuine pride serving his client. I have no hesitation in suggesting you look no further, Fern Wills & LPAs provides the 5* services you are looking for.
Professional service from Chris for my elderly uncle’s LPA needs. We had a home visit and lots of communication via phone calls and email. Everything was explained to my relative and we were both happy with the outcome.
I had the pleasure of working with Chris from Fern Wills on an urgent B2B project. Chris demonstrated the ability to be flexible working outside of business hours. He was knowledgeable, professional and personable throughout our interactions. I would highly recommend Chris and work with him again at any given opportunity. A breath of fresh air!
Full ReviewWould 100% recommend Chris if you are looking to get your will sorted. We’d put off sorting our will time and again but Chris was able to explain all the legal jargon in simple terms and was very patient with us whilst simultaneously encouraging us to finally get it done! There is no one-size-fits-all approach here, Chris listened to our requirements and advised accordingly, providing options and recommendations at every step. Nothing was too much trouble and he was always available to answer any queries we had. His prices are very fair and he is upfront with all the costs, there were no hidden charges!
Full ReviewI would highly recommend Fern Wills to help you with your will and power off attorney. Chris is professional, very understanding, he explains everything step by step. Such a pleasure to talk to. Thank you Chris.
Full ReviewYou can reach us through this website's contact form or by calling 07500 866 123 (simple as 123). The first call is brief, so we can answer any immediate questions and get an overview. We send some information and an optional questionnaire to help you consider your needs.
We listen to your wishes and discuss the available options with you. We explain everything in simple terms, ensuring you can make informed choices. After our meeting, we will send you a confirmation of your requests along with a written quotation detailing a fixed price for your review and approval.
A) Within 15 days of your paid invoice & approval, the finished documents will be posted to you for signing. B) Return the documents to us for checking and storage. C) Or choose the professional Witnessing and signing option where we hand deliver.
Northants Office: 11 Wakefield Drive, Welford, Northants, NN6 6HN
Kate Garraway’s heart-wrenching experience with her husband Derek’s year-long battle with COVID-19 highlights the profound challenges families can face during such difficult times. The emotional strain is compounded by the fact that Kate was left without the necessary legal protections to manage Derek’s care effectively.
A codicil is a legal document used to make amendments to an existing will without the need to draft a completely new will. Codicils can be used to add, alter, or revoke specific provisions in a will, and there is no statutory limit to the number of codicils a testator may execute. However, using codicils requires careful consideration due to the risks and complexities involved.
Read MoreLet's delve into the intriguing stories of celebrities who, despite their immense wealth, either passed away without a will or left behind ambiguous and contentious legal documents. Their legacies often sparked disputes and raised questions about how their fortunes would be handled after their deaths.
Read MoreMost people accumulate a great deal of ‘stuff’ throughout their lives. Some items are valuable in real monetary terms, while others hold sentimental value. Much of this personal property falls under the definition of ‘personal chattels’.
Read MoreA lot of documents these days, we are used to having certified copies that can be provided as evidence of the document’s authority, but Wills are special in this way in that it is the original document that must be produced for probate (apart from in some extenuating circumstances discussed later).
Read MoreInheritance tax can cost loved ones £100,000s when you die, with it generating £7 billion for HM Revenue & Customs in one recent tax year alone. But in reality the vast majority of people (around 96%) don't have to pay a penny, while the few who do can legally avoid huge swathes of it. This guide runs through five inheritance tax need-to-knows.
Read More2024 has been a pivotal year in the landscape of wills and estate planning. We can reflect on the changes made throughout the year and there have been a number of key developments. This article delves into these developments and their implications.
Read MoreA survivorship clause is exactly what it sounds like: a clause in a will that makes a gift to a beneficiary conditional upon them surviving the testator by a set period. While these clauses are commonly used in modern wills, it’s clear that many people don’t appreciate the adverse effects they can have on an estate.
Read MoreThere are two ways that a person can make a claim against a deceased’s estate, the first being a claim under the Inheritance Provision for Family and Dependants (IPFD) Act 1975. The second is on grounds of validity.
Read MoreA client who owns assets outside the UK is affected by the concepts of domicile, immovable property, and movable property. These concepts are key to the operation of English and Welsh private international law and will affect what dispositions can be made in a will governed by the law of England and Wales. We also need to appreciate EU law's effect on succession.
Read MoreI had just left my chair, and Murphy jumped straight into my spot. I casually said, "Jump in my grave, why don't you? "An innocent phrase used by many of us. It reminded me of current plans for reopening closed burial grounds to address the issue of limited space in urban areas.
Read MoreThese are common questions regarding Wills, Trusts and Powers Of Attorney. All answers are simplified for the article; please get in touch with us directly for a fuller and personalised answer. No content on this website is advice.
Read MoreBeing appointed as an executor is a responsibility at a time where they are grieving the loss of a loved one.
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