A woman in her 50’s sitting at a kitchen table talking to me (back of my shoulder and side view of my head).

Guided Approach

A conversation-led process for those who want clarity before anything is written.

How the Guided Approach works

Guided is for people who want to talk things through before anything is written. It offers a supported, conversation-led way to create your will, with time to explain your wishes, ask questions, and understand your options before decisions are fixed in writing. The process is structured and careful, but led by discussion rather than forms alone, so nothing is rushed and nothing is assumed. The aim is not just a finished document, but confidence — knowing your will has been shaped thoughtfully, with clear advice and professional oversight at every stage.

This can take place online, or in person where appropriate — including home visits within our local area — allowing you to talk things through in a calm and comfortable setting.

This service is provided as part of Elephant Legal’s non-reserved legal services. Find out more about how we are regulated.

Pricing

Guided begins with an initial fee of £90. This reflects the time set aside to meet with you, understand your situation, and guide you through your instructions in a structured and supported way.

The total cost for this service is £240. Once your instructions are clear and the scope of work has been agreed, the remaining balance of £150 becomes payable before your draft is prepared.

You will always know the full cost before any further work is carried out.

In some cases, additional services may be appropriate depending on your circumstances — for example where more complex arrangements or trusts are required. If this applies, we will always explain this clearly and agree any additional costs with you before any further work is carried out.

choose guided approach

A conversation-led way to create your will — thoughtful, structured, and unhurried.

How Guided works

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1. Getting started

Once you choose Guided, I’ll confirm the details and make sure this is the right route for you.

You’ll receive clear information about the process, pricing, and what to expect, along with the necessary client care documents. Before any work begins, identity checks are completed so everything can proceed securely and properly.

Nothing is drafted at this stage — it’s about setting things up correctly.

Two abstract figures sitting at a table, engaging in a conversation, with speech bubbles and a clock above them.

2. Talking it through

Guided begins with a dedicated appointment, online or in person.

This is a calm, focused conversation where we explore your wishes, your circumstances, and anything you’re unsure about. I’ll explain options in plain English, answer questions, and help you understand the implications of different choices.

Your appointment is booked once the initial fee is confirmed. This secures the time needed to talk things through properly and provide advice.

Illustration of documents, checklists, a magnifying glass with an exclamation mark, a pencil, and clipboards, symbolizing review, inspection, or quality control.

3. Shaping your instructions

After our discussion, your instructions are clarified and shaped.

I’ll reflect back what we’ve discussed, check that everything is accurate, and identify anything that needs further thought or explanation. If additional work or services are needed, these are discussed openly before anything moves forward.

Once the scope is clear, I’ll confirm what’s included and the total agreed fee before any drafting begins.

A clipboard holding a will document with a green checkmark and a signature, accompanied by a yellow pencil.

4. Drafting your will

Once your instructions are confirmed, drafting can begin.

Your will is prepared based on what’s been agreed, taking care to ensure the document works properly and reflects your intentions. Drafting begins once the remaining balance has been received.

This is the point where your wishes move from discussion into written form.

Illustration of a clipboard with a document labeled 'DRAFT WILL,' a magnifying glass highlighting the word 'DRAFT,' a check mark, a signature, and a pencil on a sticky note. There are also arrows indicating revision or update.

5. Reviewing and refining

You’ll receive your draft will to review in your own time.

You can ask questions, request changes, and take time to reflect. Amendments are a normal part of the process, and the document isn’t finalised until you’re satisfied that it accurately reflects your wishes.

Nothing is rushed at this stage.

A clipboard with a signed document titled 'Final Will', featuring checkmarks and a wax seal, with a lock symbol indicating security.

6. Finalising and completion

Once the wording is agreed, the final version of your will is prepared.

I’ll confirm the next steps for signing and witnessing, and make sure you know how the completed document should be stored. When execution is complete, the matter is formally closed.

At this point, your arrangements are finished and in place.

Careful support, not assumptions

Guided is conversation-led, but it is never informal or casual.

Your wishes are handled with care, and every decision is checked with professional judgement to make sure it’s clear, workable, and genuinely reflects what you intend. If anything is unclear, incomplete, or could create problems in practice, we pause and talk it through properly before anything is finalised.

That’s because reassurance comes from clarity. This isn’t about rushing to a finished document — it’s about taking the time to understand your position, shape your instructions, and put something in place that works in the real world.

Guided adds support and explanation, not complexity — so you can move forward with confidence, knowing nothing has been assumed or left unchecked.

Ready to move forward?

If Guided feels like the right fit, you can begin by booking an appointment. I’ll confirm the next steps and send everything you need to get started.

Start with guided

Careful support. Clear decisions. Nothing assumed.

The Guided appointment is a focused conversation about you and what you want to put in place. We’ll talk through your circumstances, your wishes, and any questions or uncertainties you have. I’ll explain options in plain English, highlight anything that needs careful thought, and help you understand how different choices work in practice.
There’s no expectation that you arrive with everything decided — the appointment is about understanding, not rushing to conclusions.
No.
Guided is designed for people who want help working things out. Many clients begin with only a general sense of what they want, or with questions they’re not sure how to answer yet.
The process gives you space to think, ask questions, and reach decisions with support rather than pressure.
Support runs throughout the process.
You’re not limited to a single conversation or left to work things out on your own. As your instructions take shape, I’ll sense-check decisions, explain implications, and make sure nothing important is overlooked.
The aim is clarity and confidence, not simply getting to the end.
Yes.
Guided allows space to reflect between steps. You’re not expected to make decisions on the spot, and you can take time to review information or think things through before moving on. The pace is steady and supportive, not rushed.
That’s entirely normal.
Talking things through often brings new perspectives or highlights things that hadn’t been considered at the start. If your wishes evolve, the process adjusts with you.
Nothing is fixed until the final wording is agreed.
Yes.
Part of the Guided service is professional oversight. If something is unclear, incomplete, or could cause problems in practice, I’ll flag it and explain why, so it can be properly considered.
This isn’t about saying no — it’s about making sure what’s put in place genuinely works.
Very often, yes.
Guided is particularly suited to people whose circumstances don’t feel straightforward, or who want reassurance before making decisions. Complexity doesn’t exclude you — it simply means more care and explanation may be needed.
If at any point something falls outside what can be covered, that’s discussed openly and calmly before moving forward.