David Nicholls Associates

Will writing and protection advice from David Nicholls Associates

David Nicholls Associates is a UK firm that prepares wills and related estate-planning documents and also arranges life insurance and business protection. The practice presents itself as a member of The Society of Will Writers, described on the site as a national will writing body, and states that it is authorised by that society. Its stated approach combines will drafting with protection advice, so that testamentary documents and insurance cover are handled within the same service.

The firm advertises wills at a one-off payment of £99, presented as having no hidden charges, and describes the process as efficient and tailored to each client's situation. It also offers a free guide titled "Do You Need a Will?" and a callback request form for prospective clients.

Wills and powers of attorney

The will service is framed around recording a client's wishes for after death, with the assurance that all details held are kept private and confidential. Alongside wills, the firm prepares powers of attorney, presented as a way to ensure that someone with legal authority can step in to pay bills and secure medical treatment when the client is unable to make those decisions. Lasting Power of Attorney appears as a distinct item in the service menu.

Trusts and protection of assets

The site sets out several trust arrangements, each aimed at a different family or financial scenario:

• Discretionary Trust — described as a way to control who benefits from assets during the client's lifetime, cited in relation to avoiding inheritance tax, keeping assets from a partner's children, and covering new marriages, divorce or stepchildren.
• Lifetime Trust — listed among the trust services offered.
• Children's Trust — intended for parents who want children to inherit later than 18, with the site noting that most parents prefer the age to be extended to between 21 and 25.
• Severance of Tenancy — presented as a mechanism for directing a share of a jointly owned property somewhere other than to an ex-partner after a separation.

Life insurance and business protection

Life insurance is described as one of the cheapest forms of cover but potentially the most important, with the stated purpose of protecting a partner or children from a mortgage or ordinary living costs if the policyholder dies unexpectedly. Business protection is offered separately, aimed at sole traders, directors and employees, and framed around safeguarding a business if an event threatens its future.

How advice is delivered

Consultations take place by telephone, email or Zoom. The firm states that its advisers have many years of experience and that each client is assigned a personal will advisor who works with them from the first conversation onwards. A "Start my Application" route and a callback request are provided for new enquiries.

Background of the founder

The company traces its origins to founder David Nicholls entering the finance industry on 1 January 1996 as a mortgage adviser at a large mortgage broker. In 2004 he moved to a smaller brokerage, where he gained experience in face-to-face advice and protection. In 2006 he was recruited by a very large brokerage providing financial help and advice across the UK, and there met Chris Prantl, for whom he later worked as head adviser for protection. In 2008, following the collapse of subprime lending, he joined his former compliance boss and moved from trainee protection adviser to a senior sales role before founding David Nicholls Associates. The site dates the creation of Nicholls Financial Services to 2011, with David Nicholls Associates later becoming the trading name; the business reports having helped over 3,000 clients, outgrowing its initial plans and hiring additional advisers and administrators.

Working practices and charitable links

The firm describes its ethos as precise, professional and friendly advice delivered in an approachable manner, with family values at its core. It states that it works Monday to Friday but takes calls at weekends, excluding Sundays. It also states that it works alongside a number of charities, without naming them in the material available.