About me

Hello, I’m Donna.

If you’re thinking about making your Will and Lasting Powers of Attorney, I’d like to offer you a free initial consultation without obligation. I advise families in Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire and support financial professionals and Will writers across England & Wales. If you’re an IFA, please click HERE.

Daytime, weekend and evening appointments are available. Tell me what you need, and I will do my best to find a time that suits you and your family.

We all feel most comfortable at home, so I prefer to visit you there. Making a Will can be simple and straightforward, but talking about family can be emotional. I promise confidentiality and respect.

If you prefer a more formal office-based meeting, please let me know. I have meeting room options at 3 business centres in Cheadle, Stoke on Trent and Uttoxeter.

About Mitchell Hames Estate Planning

Mitchell Hames Estate Planning is a trading style of freelance Estate Planner Donna Hames.

I offer home visit estate planning services in the Staffordshire Moorlands, Uttoxeter, Stoke-on-Trent, Cheadle, Leek, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and surrounding towns and villages.

I help singles, couples, and families make Wills, trusts, and Lasting Powers of Attorney. I’ve lived in the Staffordshire Moorlands for 24 years. If you recognise me, there’s a chance I taught your child or grandchild to swim!

With a law degree and postgraduate training, I ran a successful legal practice (Carisma Wills Limited) for almost two decades. Although will writing is not regulated, I maintain voluntary memberships in the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Society of Willwriters (SWW.Aff) to ensure best practices.

I ask every client to sign an engagement letter. This will be the standard terms of Heritage Estate Planning, the company responsible for drafting your legal documents, not Mitchell Hames Estate Planning. This arrangement protects you. I want all my clients to have an ongoing, trustworthy source of legal advice when I eventually retire from practice. A fully qualified member of STEP with the Trust and Estate Planner designation (TEP) will oversee all legal drafting. All services are covered by comprehensive professional indemnity insurance of up to £2m.

A selection of my clients’ reviews

  • Thank you for your help and guidance in making our wills, which we really appreciate.... we would not hesitate to recommend you.

    Mr and Mrs S, June 2024

  • Thank you very much for alll your help. You have made the process really clear and I appreciate your patience in answering all my questions. I will definitely recommend you going forward.

    Mrs Swindells, July 2024

  • Recently we met Donna to create our new wills. We found her very professional, knowledgeable and went above and beyond. Would not hesitate to recommend. The whole process was clearly priced and completed very efficiently."

    Mr and Mrs Phillips, November 2024

  • "...grateful for your patience & understanding in taking us through this process."

    Mr and Mrs Walton, November 2024

  • "We were delighted with the service and confidential advice you offered."

    Mr and Mrs A, February 2024

  • "Many thanks for your help and guidance."

    Mr and Mrs L, January 2024

  • "Thank you again for arranging this (Lasting Powers of Attorney) so seamlessly and with such clarity."

    Dr and Mrs R, April 2023

  • "Thank you so much for being you (Donna), it was amazing to meet you and we will both recommend you to our friends."

    Jo & Maureen, November 2023

  • "Very professional and approachable. Absolutely lovely experience. They go that extra mile 110% and I would highly recommend this service."

    Mr and Mrs Bridgett, January 2022

  • "You have made the process very straightforward with very clear communication and guidance and gentle nudging as required. You have been a pleasure to deal with. Thank you for all your help. We would have no hesitation in recommending you."

    Mr and Mrs Davies, February 2024