GP Norgate Estate Planning

14/10/2026

You don't need the perfect words.

Not sure what to say to someone who’s grieving?

You could start simply:

“Thinking of you today. No need to reply. If you’d like some company, I’m here.”

It doesn’t ask them to explain how they’re feeling or reassure you that they’re doing all right. It just leaves the door open.

They may want to talk. They may not. Let them choose.

My latest blog includes a few small ways we can reach out without trying to make everything better.

https://gpnorgateestateplanning.co.uk/blog-lets-talk-about-grief/

12/10/2026

Let's talk about grief.

Death and grief can make a room go very quiet.

Someone changes the subject. Someone suddenly needs to check the barbecue. We’re often so worried about saying the wrong thing that we say nothing at all.

In my latest blog, I explain why I think we need more of these conversations—and why talking about someone who has died matters to me, and why I think it should matter to you.

It’s personal, occasionally funny (I hope!), and written with (brutal) honesty.

https://gpnorgateestateplanning.co.uk/blog-lets-talk-about-grief/

29/09/2026

Your family doesn't have to look traditional for your estate plan to work for you. Blended families can bring lots of love, but they can also make estate planning a little more complicated.

You might have children from a previous relationship, stepchildren, a new partner or a long-term partner who isn't your spouse.

And while you may have a clear idea of who you'd like to look after, the law may not always work in the way you expect.

That's why it's important to look beyond simply having a Will and think about the bigger picture.

🏡 Who should inherit your property?
💷 How do you want your assets divided?
👨‍👩‍👧 How can you provide for children from previous relationships?
❤️ How do you protect your partner while still making sure your children are looked after?

These aren't always easy conversations, but getting the right advice can help bring clarity and make sure your wishes are properly considered.

Your family is unique. Your estate plan should be too.

If your family circumstances have changed, or you're unsure whether your current arrangements still work for you, I'm here to help.

📞 01252 941000
https://gpnorgateestateplanning.co.uk

24/09/2026

You may have heard people say, “If I give my money away and survive for seven years, there’s no Inheritance Tax to pay.”

But it’s not quite that simple. 👀

Generally, if you make a gift and survive for seven years, that gift can fall outside your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. If you die within seven years, however, the gift may still be taken into account when calculating Inheritance Tax.

And there are some important things to understand:

🏡 Gifts can include more than money - Property, shares and other valuable assets can also count as gifts.

📅 The timing matters - The closer a gift is made to your death, the more likely it is to form part of the Inheritance Tax calculation.

💷 Not every gift is treated in the same way - There are various exemptions and allowances that can apply, including the annual gifting allowance and certain regular gifts made from income.

⚠️ You can't simply give something away and carry on benefiting from it - For example, giving your home to a family member but continuing to live there without paying market rent can mean the property is still treated as part of your estate.

This is why estate planning is about more than simply writing a Will.

Understanding your assets, your wishes and the decisions you may want to make during your lifetime can help you put the right plans in place for the future.

If you're considering making gifts to your family or are concerned about Inheritance Tax, it's worth getting advice before making any decisions.

A little planning now could make a big difference later.

Book a free consultation today 👉 https://calendly.com/gareth-gpn

21/09/2026

Writing your own Will might seem simple, but even small mistakes or unclear wording can cause real problems for your loved ones. ✍️

Avoid unnecessary stress and costly delays by getting professional advice to ensure your Will is legally valid and clearly reflects your wishes.

👉 Download your FREE Will Writing Guide today at: https://loom.ly/krcWyDw

Your FREE Will Writing Guide Our free Will Guide is full of practical information on making or updating your Will. It includes a simple planning guide and information on our Will writing services. Sign up to our newsletter to receive a free downloadable copy straight to your inbox. Why do I need a W...

17/09/2026

💬 Have you ever had “the conversation” with your parents?

You know the one.

The conversation about what would happen if they became unable to make decisions for themselves, or what they would want to happen to their estate when they’re no longer here.

It can feel awkward. You might even feel like it’s not your place to ask.

But having these conversations while everyone is well and able to make decisions can be one of the most caring things you do for your family.

There are three areas worth talking about:

✍️ 1. Their Will - Do they have one? And does it still reflect their wishes?

A Will makes their intentions clear and can help avoid uncertainty for the family later on.

📝 2. Lasting Powers of Attorney - Who would make decisions if they could no longer make them for themselves?

An LPA allows them to choose people they trust to make decisions about their finances and/or health and welfare if needed.

🔐 3. Their digital life - What happens to their photos, online accounts, subscriptions and other digital assets?

It’s easy to overlook, but knowing what exists and how it should be dealt with can save your family a lot of stress further down the line.

These conversations don't have to be difficult.

You don't need to cover everything in one go. Start with a cup of tea, ask a question and let the conversation happen naturally.

Because planning ahead isn't about expecting the worst. It's about making things a little easier for the people you love.

If you'd like some help getting your own plans in place, book a free consultation today - https://calendly.com/gareth-gpn

16/09/2026

The kids are back at school. The routines are returning. So, what else have you been putting off?

September often feels like a fresh start.

The school holidays are over, the diary starts filling up again and suddenly there’s a little more time to get those jobs done that have been sitting on the list for months.

So, here’s one to add to it:

✍️ When did you last review your Will?

You might have made your Will years ago, but life doesn’t always stay the same.

Maybe since you last looked at it, you’ve:

👶 Had another child or welcomed a grandchild
🏡 Moved house or bought another property
💍 Got married or remarried
💔 Separated or divorced
💷 Received an inheritance
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Seen your family circumstances change
📈 Built up your savings, investments or other assets

Even if nothing major has changed, it’s still worth checking that your Will continues to reflect what you want.

Because the last thing you want is to discover that the plans you made years ago no longer match the life you’re living today.

September is a good time for a reset. Why not put your Will on the list?

If you'd like to review your existing Will or haven't made one yet, I'm happy to have a chat.

Book a free consultation today: https://calendly.com/gareth-gpn

10/09/2026

How long does it actually take to create a Lasting Power of Attorney?

It’s one of those things you might think you can sort out when you need it.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly the problem.

Creating the paperwork itself can be relatively straightforward, but once your LPA has been completed and signed, it needs to be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) before it can be used.

At the moment, registration typically takes around 8–10 weeks, assuming there are no mistakes in the application.

And there are a few stages involved:

📝 Complete the LPA - You need to decide who you want to appoint and what decisions you want them to be able to make.

✍️ Get everyone to sign - The paperwork needs to be signed in the correct order by you, your certificate provider and your attorneys.

📮 Register it with the OPG - This is where the waiting period comes in.

⏳ Wait for registration - Once registered, your LPA is ready to be used in accordance with the powers you've given your attorneys.

The important thing to remember is that you need to have mental capacity when you make your LPA. If you wait until you can no longer make your own decisions, it may be too late to put one in place.

An LPA isn't just something to think about when you're older, either. An unexpected accident or illness could mean you need someone you trust to help manage your finances or make decisions about your welfare.

The best time to put an LPA in place is while you still have the capacity to choose who you trust to act for you.

If you haven't got an LPA in place, or you're unsure whether you need one, I'm happy to talk through your options.

📱 01252 941000
https://gpnorgateestateplanning.co.uk/lasting-power-of-attorney-gpnorgate/

08/09/2026

It’s easy to think that your family knows you well enough to understand what you would want to happen to your money, property and possessions.

But knowing what you would have wanted and being legally able to carry out those wishes are two very different things.

If you die without a valid Will, the law decides who inherits your estate. Your family doesn’t get to simply decide amongst themselves. The rules of intestacy determine who is entitled to inherit and how your estate is distributed.

And this can become particularly complicated if you:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Have children from a previous relationship
🏡 Own property with someone you aren't married to
❤️ Live with a partner but aren't married or in a civil partnership
💷 Want to leave something to someone who wouldn't automatically inherit
❤️‍🩹 Want to make specific gifts to family or friends
🎗️ Want to leave something to a charity that means a lot to you

Your family may know exactly what you would have wanted.

But wouldn't it be better to put it in writing and give them certainty?

A Will isn't just about deciding who gets what. It's about making your wishes clear, reducing uncertainty for the people you leave behind and making sure the people and causes that matter to you are properly considered.

Don't leave your family's future to guesswork.

If you haven't made a Will, or yours hasn't been reviewed for a while, now could be a good time to have a conversation.

https://gpnorgateestateplanning.co.uk

04/09/2026

💭 What would you like your legacy to be?

When we talk about estate planning, the conversation often centres around family, property and inheritance.

But for some people, leaving something behind also means supporting a charity or cause that has been important to them during their lifetime.

A recent article from Today’s Wills & Probate highlights why conversations around legacy giving need to start earlier. Rather than being something to think about much later in life, discussing your wishes early can give you time to consider what matters to you and how you would like your estate to be shared.

And it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Whether you want to leave a specific gift, a percentage of your estate or simply make sure your wishes are clearly understood, it’s worth having the conversation and making sure your Will reflects what you actually want.

Because estate planning isn’t just about what you leave behind. It’s about the people, causes and things that matter to you.

📖 Read the full article from Today’s Wills & Probate: https://todayswillsandprobate.co.uk/legacy-giving-why-the-conversation-needs-to-start-earlier/

If you haven’t reviewed your Will for a while, or you’re not sure whether it still reflects your wishes, I'm always happy to have a conversation.

Ashley Rowthorn, executive director at Legacy Futures, explores what the latest Legacy Giving Report reveals about the role of charitable giving in estate planning. With a resilient £4.4 billion market and a new generation of will-makers emerging, he considers why practitioners should look beyond t...