For many, writing a will is a task that all too often lingers at the bottom of the to-do list – uncomfortable to discuss and easily postponed. But for Andrew Askwith, co-founder and Managing Director of AHJ Wills & Estates, getting this crucial life admin sorted shouldn’t be shrouded in formality or fear. Instead, he and his team are on a mission to make the process as straightforward as possible.
“It’s seen as quite a taboo subject – nobody wants to talk about death, especially not their own,” Andrew tells unLTD. “But it happens to us all. We want to make something that people put off feel more approachable. We’re a dynamic, forward-thinking company – we might be talking about wills, but it doesn’t have to feel like a difficult process.”
AHJ Wills & Estates was born out of Andrew’s frustration with referring clients to external solicitors whose service didn’t meet the standards he expected. With a background in financial services and estate planning, he saw the opportunity to bring the service in-house. What started during the Covid period has grown steadily, now serving 150–200 clients with a team of dedicated staff and new premises in Kelham Island (complete with four-legged morale boosters like Hudson, the office dog).
The driving ethos behind the firm is captured in its strapline: Securing legacies, creating peace of mind. And for Andrew, that peace of mind isn’t just about ticking a legal box – it’s emotional as much as it is practical.
“There’s such a sense of relief from clients after we’ve done their wills – you can literally see it lift off their shoulders,” he says. “It’s something people often feel daunted by, especially if they’ve got complex family situations, businesses or properties. They think, ‘I don’t even know where to start.’ But we walk them through it step by step.”#
Far from the long, frustrating waits often associated with legal services, AHJ Wills & Estates pride themselves on simplicity and speed.
“Once we take instruction, there’s a two-week cooling-off period. After that we do the drafts, clients approve them, and we get the originals drawn up and signed. The whole thing can often be done in under a month,” Andrew explains. “With some solicitors, we were seeing three to five months just to get a draft back. We knew we could do better.”
Much of that efficiency is down to using the right partners and technology. The firm uses specialist will-writing software linked to the Society of Will Writers and is now looking at AI and app integrations to improve the client journey even further.
It’s not just the process that’s modern – it’s the approach. The team often visit clients in their own homes or workplaces, adding a layer of comfort and removing the stress of navigating unfamiliar spaces or feeling overwhelmed by formality.
“We do clinics in workplaces, drop-in sessions at local businesses and we work closely with charities like Paces, Rotherham Hospice and Sheffield Children's Hospital. We want to meet people where they are and support them through something that can be emotionally challenging.”
Despite the emotional and financial importance of having a will, the statistics around take-up are sobering, and, as Andrew points out, the risks of not planning can be especially severe for business owners.
“A lot of people don’t know what happens to their shares if they die. Their articles of association might block them from passing shares to their spouse or children,” he warns. “We’ve seen cases where people assume their family will inherit, but the documents say otherwise. It’s not until we dig into it that they realise the risk.”
He’s also quick to clarify common misconceptions: marriage voids existing wills, divorce doesn’t. And there’s no ‘right’ age to get started with a will – it’s about key life events.
“Having children, buying a home, getting married, starting a business – those are the moments where you should review your will. It’s not a one-and-done job, either. Things change and you can keep updating the terms.”
As the business continues to grow, AHJ Wills & Estates is focused on maintaining its friendly, accessible ethos.
“We’re not here to scare people. We’re here to educate, support and make something hard feel simple. We just want people to know that there’s a safe space to talk about this stuff, and that we’ll help them get it right.”
And if they’re greeted by a wagging tail from Hudson when they do? All the better.
Call: 0114 553 5416
Email: info@ahjwillsandestates.com
Web: ahjwillsandestates.com
Visit: Great Central
2 Chatham Street
Sheffield
S3 8FG
