Who Looks After Your Children If You Die?

For many parents, one of the most important reasons for making a Will is deciding who would care for their children if they were no longer able to do so. A Will can be used to record your wishes and appoint guardians for children under the age of 18.

A guardian is the person you would wish to take responsibility for your children if both parents die before the children reach adulthood.

Including guardianship provisions in a Will allows you to make your wishes known clearly and formally.

While the court will always consider the welfare of the child, significant weight is often given to the wishes expressed by parents in a properly prepared Will.

Without clear arrangements, there may be uncertainty or disagreement between family members at an already difficult time.

Parents may also wish to consider practical matters such as where the children would live, financial provision, and whether the proposed guardians are willing and able to take on the role.

Making a Will allows these important decisions to be considered in advance rather than left unresolved.

For many families, appointing guardians is one of the most valuable protections a Will can provide.

Back to Ultimate Guide

FAQ

Can I appoint guardians in a Will?

Yes. A Will is the usual way to record who you would like to care for your children.

Is the appointment legally binding?

The court considers the child’s welfare first, but parental wishes are highly relevant.

What if there is no Will?

There may be uncertainty and the matter could require court involvement.

Should I ask guardians first?

Usually yes. It is sensible to discuss the responsibility with them in advance.

If you would like advice on appointing guardians or preparing a Will, MJV Solicitors provide clear guidance and transparent pricing.

Purchase price	Our fee	VAT	Total
£0-£100,000	£600	£120	£720
£100,001 - £150,000	£650	£130	£780
£150,001 - £200,000	£700	£140	£840
£200,001 - £250,000	£750	£150	£900
£250,001 - £300,000	£800	£160	£960
£300,001 - £400,000	£850	£170	£1020
£400,001 - £500,000	£900	£180	£1080
£500,001 - £750,000	£1000	£200	£1200

Additional charge and explanation	Our fee	VAT	Total
Bank transfer fee	£30.00	£6.00	£36.00
Independent ID verification (per person)	£5.00	£1.00	£6.00

Charge	Our fee	VAT	Total
Purchase of a leasehold house	£100.00	£20.00	£120.00
Purchase of any other leasehold property	£150.00	£30.00	£180.00
Purchase of a shared ownership property	£250.00	£50.00	£300.00
Gifted deposit	£50.00	£10.00	£60.00
New build property	£250.00	£50.00	£300.00

Local Authority’s current search fee (if Blackpool, Wyre or Fylde)	£122.70 inc VAT
Drainage and Water search fee	£79.50 inc VAT
Environmental search	£71.40 inc VAT
Land Registry priority title search	£3.00 no VAT
Bankruptcy search - £2 per seller named on the Register of Title	£2.00 no VAT
Land charges search - £2 per seller named on the Register of Title	£2.00 no VAT

Purchase price	Land Registry registration fee (no VAT)
£0 - £80,000	£20.00 no VAT
£80,001 - £100,000	£40.00 no VAT
£100,001 - £200,000	£100.00 no VAT
£200,001 - £500,000	£150.00 no VAT
£500,001 - £1,000,000	£295.00 no VAT
£1,000,000 and above	£500.00 no VAT

Who Looks After Your Children If You Die?

FAQ

Call: 01253 858231

info@mjvlaw.co.uk

Cleveleys Office

Blackpool Office

Conveyancing price guide

Introductory paragraph explaining price transparency and why the costs are displayed below.

Purchasing

Selling

Purchase price	Our fee	VAT	Total
£0-£100,000	£600.00	£120.00	£720.00
£100,001 - £150,000	£650.00	£130.00	£780.00
£150,001 - £200,000	£700.00	£140.00	£840.00
£200,001 - £250,000	£750.00	£150.00	£900.00
£250,001 - £300,000	£800.00	£160.00	£960.00
£300,001 - £400,000	£850.00	£170.00	£1020.00
£400,001 - £500,000	£900.00	£180.00	£1080.00
£500,001 - £750,000	£1000.00	£200.00	£1200.00
Over £750,000	To be negotiated	To be applied	To be agreed