Having spent a lifetime working hard and amassing wealth, you’ll want to use that hard-earned cash to fund your dream retirement. But you’ll also be thinking about the legacy you leave behind, from the inheritance your beneficiaries receive to the tax they pay.

At Oakfield Lee, we can help you to arrange and maintain an up-to-date will, ensure your best interests are looked after if you lose capacity to do so yourself, and help you mitigate a potential Inheritance Tax (IHT) liability. Collectively, this is known as estate planning.

In our latest business update, read more about the estate planning work we can help you with, and learn more about Lauren – our client relationship manager and likely point of contact – in our “Meet the Team” segment.

But first…

The importance of a will as the backbone of your estate planning

A will is the simplest way to make your wishes on death known. Not only does putting one in place allow you to stipulate who will inherit your wealth – how much and in what proportion – but the process can also act as a catalyst to sit down and really think about your legacy for the first time.

Once you understand how you want to pass on your wealth, you may need to have frank conversations with those affected. This is an opportunity to explain your wishes and the reason behind the decisions you have made.

While not an easy step – talking about money and death can often be seen as taboo – it’s important for helping to ensure that no disputes arise after you are gone.

Sitting down with us to discuss your estate is an important first step, so if you feel ready to take the plunge, be sure to get in touch.

Professional financial advice ensures you make tax-efficient decisions that align with your wishes. And by keeping your will up-to-date, especially after important life milestones like births, deaths, or marriages, you’ll know your wishes will be understood and enacted.

Professional advice is key to effective and tax-efficient estate planning

Of course, estate planning isn’t only about inherited wealth on death.

At Oakfield Lee, we can help make sure that your finances are tax-efficient throughout your life, by mitigating a potential IHT bill, for example, through strategies such as gifting.

Advice can also help protect your wealth and health should you lose the capacity to do so. A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to name trusted individuals to look after your finances and care following an accident or a diagnosis (of dementia or Alzheimer’s, for example).

We can help here, too. And, as your likely point of contact, now seems the perfect time to find out a little bit more about client relationship manager, Lauren.

We recently interrupted Lauren’s working day to ask about her work and home life

Having been employed in the financial services sector for the last 12 years, working in retail banking and for pension platforms and mortgage networks, Lauren reaches her two-year anniversary with Oakfield Lee this March. As our client relationship manager, she is on hand to answer any questions you have.

Recently, though, it was our turn to put some questions to Lauren…

Hi Lauren, what does your role at Oakfield Lee look like day-to-day?

“I look after our estate planning clients and help with inputting and drafting wills and putting LPAs in place. These are documents that everyone should have, but many of us put off getting. We think that illness and death happen to other people, and that mindset can be dangerous.

“Wills and LPAs put our clients back in charge, giving them a sense of control and peace of mind, which is priceless. Clients will generally speak to Becky first and then I’ll get to work behind the scenes. I’m proud to be part of the process, and to be doing so at Oakfield Lee, where we always put our clients first.”

And what about life outside of work? Where would we find you on a typical weekend?

“I have a 3-year-old daughter, Nola, who is my Mini-Me and absolute best friend. We enjoy spending time outdoors as a family, along with my partner and our dog, a Jack Russell-cocker spaniel cross named Dave.

“We’re local to the office, so you’ll often find us walking around Melksham or chasing Dave through Monkton Farleigh Woods.

“I’m a keen gardener too, so when I’m not out walking the dog, I’ll be pottering outside. I also never miss an opportunity to sit down to watch my hero, Monty Don.”

When you’re not at work or home, where is your happy place?

“A picnic in the woods with Nola, my partner, and Dave, or having chips by the sea.

“I love Cornwall. Watching the sunset at Fistral Beach in Newquay, maybe. St Ives is a special place too, and Polperro is a beautiful little fishing village.

“If I have my family, my dog, and can hear the birds sing, I’m happy.”

Who would your ideal dinner party guests be?

“Easy! Helena Bonham Carter, Monty Don (of course), and Esme Young from the Great British Sewing Bee – I think she’d have some incredible stories from her decades in fashion.”

And finally, do you have any unusual likes or dislikes we should be aware of?

“Music is very important to me. I was originally a metalhead, although my taste has mellowed slightly over the years. I also love the seaside, the Great British Bake Off (if eating biscuits was an Olympic sport, I’d win gold), and moths.

“But I can’t stand spiders, dark winter mornings, or odd numbers.

“And I think that’s probably everything you need to know about me!”

Get in touch

At Oakfield Lee, our big business news from last year was the switch to our new network, Valid Path.

As we head into 2026, we’re settled in, well into the swing of things, and the whole team is ready to answer all the financial queries you have.

If those questions are about will writing, tax-efficient estate planning, or any other aspect of your legacy, be sure to contact us now by emailing hello@oakfieldlee.com or calling 01225 800 480 to find out what we can do for you.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at individuals only.