Wills & Probate

“Planning for the future is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones. At Rutherfords LLP, we provide professionally drafted wills tailored to your individual circumstances, ensuring your wishes are clear and legally enforceable. Whether your estate is simple or complex, our expert team helps you safeguard your assets, provide for your family, and gain peace of mind knowing your affairs are in order.”

Wills & Probate

Preparing a will is one of the most meaningful steps you can take to safeguard your family’s future. At Rutherfords LLP, we specialise in providing clear, bespoke and legally robust wills tailored to your personal circumstances.

Whether you are planning ahead for the first time or updating an existing will, our experienced lawyers are here to guide you through every stage with care, expertise, and complete confidentiality.

Protecting Your Loved Ones, Securing Your Wishes

A will is more than a legal document—it is an essential part of responsible estate planning. Without one, the distribution of your estate will follow strict intestacy rules that may not reflect your personal wishes.

By making a will, you retain full control over what happens to your assets, protect the people you care about, and reduce stress for those you leave behind.

Why Making a Will Matters

Making a will provides certainty, protection, and peace of mind. Key benefits include:

  1. Control Over Your Assets
    • Your will sets out exactly who should inherit your estate—from property and savings to personal possessions.
  2. Protecting Partners and Children
    • If you are not married or in a civil partnership, your partner may not inherit automatically without a will.
  3. Reducing Stress for Loved Ones
    • A carefully prepared will removes uncertainty and supports a smoother administration of your estate.
  4. Preventing Disputes
    • A professionally drafted will reduces the risk of disagreements and protects your intentions.
  5. Tax‑Efficient Planning
    • We ensure your will is drafted with tax considerations in mind, making full use of allowances and exemptions.

What We Consider When Drafting Your Will

  • Choosing suitable executors
  • Deciding your beneficiaries
  • Appointing guardians for young children
  • Creating trust arrangements
  • Funeral wishes
  • Planning for business assets or blended family situations

Why Choose Rutherfords LLP

We offer:

  • Clear, practical, jargon‑free advice
  • Fixed‑fee options for straightforward wills
  • Expertise for complex estates
  • Secure free storage of your will
  • Ongoing support when your circumstances change

Take the Next Step

Preparing a will is one of the most thoughtful and responsible decisions you can make. Contact Rutherfords LLP today to obtain a quote or to arrange a confidential consultation.

Team Members

Partner

Tony Illsley
Rebbeca Taylor
Partner

Rebecca Taylor
Chartered Paralegal (CILEx)

Christine Green
Private Client Paralegal

Michelle Green
Legal secretary

Maxine Witton
Legal Secretary

Gemma Marshall
Legal Secretary

Melanie Pearson

Partner

Tony Illsley

Tony qualified as a solicitor in 1990 and has a background of litigation experience including defending clinical negligence claims for healthcare professionals and panel membership of the Medical Defence Union. Tony became the partner in charge of the Private Client Department in 2007 and now specialises as a probate solicitor.

Tony deals with all aspects of private client work concerning drafting wills, inheritance tax, estate planning and trusts, lasting powers of attorney, appointment of deputies, and dealings with the Court of Protection and Office of the Public Guardian. Tony acts as a professional attorney, an executor and trustee, and as a professional deputy receiving referrals from the local adult safeguarding team.

Appointed the panel solicitor for the Staffordshire area for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, Tony regularly attends meetings at the Air Ambulance headquarters in Stourbridge and is proud to support and raise funds for this charity. Tony is also a panel member of the National Free Wills Network supporting over 70 local and national charities. 

With a litigation background, he also continues to deal with contentious probate cases including Inheritance Act claims, contesting a will, claims regarding lack of mental capacity, and claims for and against executors.

Tony is the compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) for Rutherfords LLP.

Rebbeca Taylor

Partner

Rebecca Taylor

Rebecca joined Rutherfords in 2018, as part of the expansion of the Private Client Department.

Rebecca has a wealth of experience working in Wills & Probate for over 15 years and qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2015.

Rebecca deals with all aspects of Private Client work such as Wills and Powers of Attorney but specialises in Administration of estates, including farming estates, Inheritance tax planning, Probate (including Grants of Probate, full administration and letters of administration) as well as deeds of variation and trusts. Rebecca also has extensive experience in dealing with transfers of property to beneficiaries.

Chartered Paralegal (CILEx)

Christine Green

Christine joined Rutherfords in 2026, as part of the expansion of the Private Client Department. 

Christine specialises in guiding clients through important personal planning decisions, such as making a Will or setting up Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Having completed the Wills, Probate and Administration qualification in 2017 via the Institute of Paralegals, Christine is now a Chartered Paralegal and a member of CILEx. 

Christine takes pride in supporting clients through what can often be sensitive or emotionally challenging times. Her approach is friendly, professional and patient, with a strong focus on empathy and clear, organised guidance throughout the process.

Private Client Paralegal

Michelle Green

MIchelle is an experienced Paralegal in our Private Client Team dealing with Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney for Finance & Property and Health & Welfare.

Legal secretary

Maxine Witton

Maxine is an experienced private client legal secretary who joined the firm in 2021.

Maxine provides support to partner Tony Illsley in the probate department.

Legal Secretary

Gemma Marshall

Gemma is an experienced legal secretary who has joined the Private Client Team at Rutherfords LLP.

Gemma provides secretarial support to probate lawyer Rebecca Taylor.

Legal Secretary

Melanie Pearson

Melanie is a Legal Secretary with over 30 years experience and works as a Legal Secretary Assistant to Michelle Green in the Private Client Department.

Services

Call us on: 01827 311411

Contact
Ventura House, Ventura Park Road,
Tamworth, Staffordshire B78 3HL
T: 01827 311411
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