Wills, Trusts and Estates

Would you like to learn more or speak to one of our team?

Make an Enquiry

Wills, Trusts and Estate Solicitors

At Butcher & Barlow, we understand the importance of planning for your future. We also understand that few people are comfortable thinking about their own mortality and consequently the conversation is difficult to begin. However, once started, that conversation can be a much easier than anticipated and with our guiding hand, you’ll find peace of mind in knowing that your loved ones are protected and provided for.

Our Private Client Team looks after the affairs of individual clients and trustees throughout the North West, from the young couple about to purchase their first house together, to business owners wanting to ensure that their business retains its value after their death. We can help to plan and manage all aspects of your finances, including Wills and Probate, Trusts, and Tax matters, both in life and on death.

We aim to get to know you and your objectives so that we can provide detailed, common-sense legal advice as well as practical assistance, tailored to your situation and needs. With branches across Cheshire,Manchester and North Stafforshire, our team are all highly-trained and well-regarded to always ensure your matter is dealt with expertly.

What are Wills, Trusts and Estates?

At Butcher & Barlow, we always try to speak your language but occasionally we have to use legal terms. Our Glossary will help you understand those phrases that may seem a little alien to you.

Our team are on hand to support you and your family when you need us. If you would like to arrange an appointment, whether by video, telephone of in person, to discuss your requirements, please get in touch with any member of our team. Alternatively, complete our enquiry form we will call you back as soon as possible.

How can we help you?

Making a Will:

Whether your situation is simple or complicated, we will listen to your needs and provide tailored advice on the best way to ensure that your loved ones are protected and provided for. You will know what our fees will be from your very first appointment, and there will be no hidden charges for storing or releasing your Will.

Updating a Will:

If your circumstances change, so too may your needs and requirements in respect of your Will. Marriage revokes a Will so it is vitally important to revisit your Will if you are about to tie the knot.

Tax and Succession planning:

We can ensure that your estate is set up in the most tax efficient way, whilst still ensuring that your personal requirements are met and your assets pass to those that you wish to benefit.

Setting up Trusts:

Trusts are often used for tax planning purposes as well as the protection of assets for future generations of the family. If our team think this is the best route for you, we will ensure that you fully understanding how a Trust operates, and the benefits which may be obtained as a result of having a Trust in place.

Administering an estate:

When a loved one passes away, you may be faced with the task of acting as their executor or administrator to deal with their affairs. We understand the stress that this adds to an already difficult and emotional time, especially if you have not received the right advice and support to guide you through the daunting process.

Our Team aims to provide a responsive and proactive service to ensure that the wishes of your loved ones are respected and carried out whilst also making the process as simple and straightforward as possible.

We offer a range of services, tailored to your specific needs, from simply obtaining the Grant of Probate, through to advising on and dealing with a range of tax issues and dealing with the full estate administration, including the calculation and settlement of any Inheritance Tax liability.

For information on our pricing, click here.

Care funding Advice:

As we get older our thoughts often turn to what the future may hold and in particular the possibility of requiring some sort of care services. We provide advice as to the way that the care funding system works, what exemptions are available and the best way to ensure that your assets are protected or maintained for the longest period possible.

Contested Probate:

Our Dispute Resolution Team can assist with a disputes relating to complex trusts, agricultural arrangements, insolvent estates, actions to the Probate Registry, Court of Protection claims and Inheritance Act disputes. Our focus is on reaching a resolution and we will always explore all options for Alternative Dispute Resolution before deciding whether or not it is necessary to commence court proceedings. Click her to read more

Frequently read legal insights

7th Jan 2026
By Benjamin Davenport-Lawton,

Get in touch now to see how we can help.

Call us today - 0161 764 4062 Complete our Enquiry form

Tim Bailey

Partner

Contact

Find out more

Chris Hopkins

Partner

Contact

Find out more

Samuel Dale

Partner & Notary Public

Contact

Find out more

Meet the
Wills, Trusts and Estate Team

Our people are what makes Butcher & Barlow what it is. Each one of our team is committed to building a solid, long-lasting working relationship with our clients across Bury, Manchester and Cheshire.

Meet the Team Meet us all

Wills, Trusts and Estates Insights

12th Oct 2026
By Ella Woodier,

What our clients say about our Wills, Trusts and Estates Service

Thank you Helen for your Kind, personal and professional service. We appreciated your time, patience and thoughtful manner at a difficult time. Everything was completed efficiently and to a high standard.

Emily and Leigh have been amazing throughout sorting this matter out for me. I have felt completely at my ease discussing matters with them. Emily has been a great advisor. Leigh is great- she is so lovely and so nice to talk to. They have both been wonderful and I thank them both so very much.

Friendly, efficient and very professional service. Emily is a pleasure to deal with.

Continually efficient and friendly in the completion of a very difficult probate application. Always honest about timescales but attempted to get work done as quickly as possible and never missed any promised deadlines. Provided helpful advice and always responded quickly to e-mails. Never lost sight of the brief although it was very complex.

I have known Chris Hopkins for many years and he is definitely the best Wills and Probate Solicitor I know! Keeping it simple and understandable is a rare skill that he has in abundance.

The personal approach from the team members is unparalleled compared to my previous experiences. I feel like a valued client and they care deeply about me. They have a great depth of knowledge and have efficiently managed my estate and helped with my future plans as well. It is also a breath of fresh air to have such a responsive team working with me.

Butcher Barlow stands out for combining a highly professional service with a genuinely personal and empathetic approach. The team takes the time to understand each client's individual needs, circumstances and concerns, ensuring that advice is tailored rather than delivered as a one-size-fits-all solution.

My wife and I use Butcher & Barlow for all our estate management. Earlier this year, we worked with Chris Hopkins and Ella Woodier on my wife's will and our POAs. The service was excellent. Most recently, we worked with Laura Cuddy and Anthony Higham on a transfer of American real estate. The service was top notch, including coordination with our American attorney. I would highly recommend Butcher & Barlow.

Chris was most helpful and brought matters to our attention that we had not considered, as well as suggesting steps to make the process clearer and easier to manage in the future. He was very personable and great to deal with. The whole service was very efficient and timely.

Emily is an outstanding Solicitor. Her professionalism and kindness is the very reason why I wouldn’t hesitate to return back to Butcher & Barlow in the future. An absolute joy to deal with! Thank you Emily.