For millions of couples in England and Wales, living together without marrying has become a normal part of family life. Under current law, unmarried couples have very limited legal rights if their relationship ends, and those protections are even weaker if their partner dies.

Switalskis solicitor, Steph Potter, has earned a national accreditation recognising specialist expertise in supporting older and vulnerable clients and their families to plan for the future.

In England and Wales, divorce does not automatically revoke a will. The will usually remains valid, but your former spouse or civil partner is treated as having died before you, so any gifts to them or appointments as executor or trustee will usually fail unless the will states otherwise.

Steph Potter, a solicitor in our wills and probate department, has achieved Accredited Lifetime Lawyer status. The Lifetime Lawyer accreditation recognises legal professionals who have specialist knowledge and hands on experience in supporting older and vulnerable clients with sensitive legal matters.

Deprivation of assets occurs where a person deliberately reduces the value of their money, property or income so that they pay less towards care costs.

Throughout the month of March, Steph Potter took part in Make a Will Month, offering free, straightforward wills in support of two incredible charities: Martin House Children’s Hospice and St Michael’s Hospice.

Making a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones. However, writing a will is not a one-time task. Life changes, and your Will needs to reflect those changes to ensure it remains valid and effective.

Congratulations to our Wills and Probate Team have been shortlisted for Will Writing Team of the Year at the Probate Industry Awards 2026.