Best Equity Release Solicitor in 2025: Top Picks
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- The best equity release solicitors in the UK often include established firms such as Ashfords, Birchall Blackburn Law, and Equilaw UK.
- Services provided can include legal advice, arranging equity release plans, and assisting with property-related legal issues.
- When choosing, consider their specialisation in equity release, customer reviews, and consultation fees.
- From a top-rated solicitor, you should expect professional legal advice, excellent customer service, and transparency in terms of fees and costs.
- Reviews can be found on platforms like Trustpilot, Legal 500, and Google Reviews.
Did you know that when securing an equity release loan, you and the loan provider will have individual solicitors, so discovering the best equity release solicitors is crucial.
This rule, set by the Equity Release Council, ensures conflict-free, independent advice.
Where do you find the best legal support for equity release? Look no further.
In This Article, You Will Discover:
At SovereignBoss, we aim to provide the latest equity release information to help you on your journey. Therefore, we have researched the most reputable sources to gather these results for you.
Here is our list of the best solicitors for equity release you may want to consider in 2025.
NOTE: SovereignBoss is an impartial and unconnected third-party information provider via this website, and the details replicated in this commentary represent the opinions of SovereignBoss only and may not reflect the views or opinions of providers. This article must not be interpreted as advice, nor is it a solicitation to conduct transactions in any financial product provided by said providers.
What Is Equity Release?
A financial product for homeowners, typically aged 55 or older, allowing them to access the value or equity tied up in their property without selling it.
This can be achieved through equity release products like lifetime mortgages or home reversion plans.
Why Do You Need a Solicitor?
You will need a solicitor to help you understand the contract's potential rewards, risks, and legal obligations.
The provider's solicitor makes sure they obtain the necessary legal rights over your property used to secure the loan.
Having separate, independent legal advice is critical for consumer protection.
If meeting your solicitor is challenging, a local one can substitute for convenience, but your original solicitor's firm will always finalise the legal paperwork.
5 Top Equity Release Solicitors in the UK
The top equity release solicitors based in the UK that you will definitely want to research are:
- Setfords
- Caesar and Howie
- Donnelly and Kinder
- Elite Law Solicitors
- Barton Law
What you need to know about each...
Setfords
Setfords is a member of the Equity Release Council and has high customer ratings on Trustpilot.1
In addition to it's full-time team working in it's Guildford office, Setfords boasts a team of over 400 consultant lawyers working across the UK.
Great news!
The firm is fully regulated by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority.
Caesar and Howie
Caesar and Howie is a long-established Scottish law firm that offers a broad range of legal services, including equity release.
Established in 1793, it has been serving clients for over two centuries.
The firm has a specialist team specifically dedicated to supporting equity release clients.2
Additionally...
Services span areas such as property law, family law, wills and estates, personal injury claims, and more.
Caesar and Howie has a reputation for combining traditional values with a modern approach to legal services.
You can find various offices across Scotland, ensuring they can serve a wide range of clients.
Donnelly and Kinder
Donnelly and Kinder has an equity release team with significant experience dealing with lifetime mortgages.
It prides itself on keeping it's team up-to-date on the latest equity release products.
With over twenty years of experience, the company holds membership with the Employment Lawyers Group and Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, the Law Society Elder Group, and the Belfast Solicitors Association.3
As per what customers say about the firm, it has 5-star ratings on Google and Yell.com.
Elite Law Solicitors
Elite Law Solicitors has an experienced team of solicitors to help lifetime mortgage customers on their journey.
The team is willing to meet you in the office or even visit you at home.
It's expertise and proficiency in this legal domain are underscored by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation.
Moreover, it operates under the independent oversight of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.4
Elite Law Solicitors was founded in 1992 by it's two senior partners and has a team operating in the South of England.
Barton Law
Barton Law is led by managing director Peter Barton and has over two decades of industry experience.5
Supervised by the Equity Release Council, the firm ensures it's clients are protected throughout the equity release process.
Barton Law has a comprehensive website highlighting what happens during equity release and how it can be involved should you opt for the firm’s services.6
How Did We Identify the Top Equity Release Solicitors in the UK?
Choosing the leading equity release solicitors in the UK entailed a detailed evaluation of their legal proficiency, reputation for excellence, positive client reviews, and adherence to the legal profession's ethical standards.
We sought solicitors who excel in offering bespoke advice, ensuring fee transparency, and possessing a thorough grasp of equity release schemes.
Our selection was reinforced by insights from legal experts and references to esteemed legal directories, aiming to recommend solicitors who are adept at addressing the unique challenges of equity release transactions.
Why Choosing the Right Solicitor is Crucial
Choosing the right equity release solicitor is essential because it ensures that the process adheres to all legal regulations, protecting homeowners from potential pitfalls and financial consequences.
An experienced solicitor provides tailored advice, highlighting the implications of equity release on your estate and inheritance.
Without expert guidance, homeowners may enter into agreements that do not align with their long-term goals or fail to maximise the potential benefits.
The right legal expertise can differentiate between a beneficial financial move and costly mistakes in a market as nuanced as equity release.
Interest Rates and Fees Comparison
View the current equity release interest rates, or lifetime mortgage rates.
| Provider | Monthly (Rate) The amount of interest due per period, as a proportion of the amount lent, deposited, or borrowed. | AER (Annual Equivalent Rate) The percentage of interest on a loan or financial product if compound interest accumulates over a year during which with no payments are made. | APR (Annual Percentage Rate) The number that represents the total yearly cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the principal loan amount. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Retirement | 5.97% | 6.14% | 6.14% |
| Canada Life | 6.13% | 6.31% | 6.31% |
| Canada Life | 6.16% | 6.34% | 6.34% |
| Aviva | N/A | 6.35% | 6.30% |
| Canada Life | 6.20% | 6.38% | 6.30% |
| Canada Life | 6.24% | 6.42% | 6.38% |
| Just Retirement | 6.25% | 6.43% | 6.42% |
| Just Retirement | 6.25% | 6.43% | 7.20% |
| Canada Life | 6.27% | 6.45% | 7.20% |
| Just Retirement | 6.28% | 6.46% | 6.45% |
Last update: 17 February 2025
Scenario
- 60 Year Old Single Male
- £300k Property Value
- £30k Release
*This rate was accurate upon publication. While we review our figures regularly, they may have changed since this article was last updated.
What Are the Average Interest Rates in the UK in 2025?
The average equity release interest rate is 5.97% to 6.28% (APR)*, according to the Spring Market report released by the ERC.21
*This rate was accurate upon publication. While we review our figures regularly, they may have changed since this article was last updated.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Equity Release Solicitor
Factors to Consider When Choosing an Equity Release Solicitor:
- Experience and Specialisation - Look for a solicitor with a strong track record in equity release cases, indicating their expertise in the area.
- Fees and Charges - Understand their fee structure, ensuring no hidden costs exist. Compare rates with other solicitors to ensure value for money.
- Client Testimonials and Reviews - Previous client experiences can provide insights into the solicitor's professionalism, expertise, and reliability.
- Accreditation and Professional Memberships - Check if they are members of relevant professional bodies, like the Equity Release Council, which can indicate their adherence to industry standards and best practices.
- Communication Skills - Assess their responsiveness, clarity in explanations, and willingness to answer any questions you may have.
- Transparency - They should be open about potential risks, benefits, and the entire equity release process.
- Local Knowledge - A solicitor familiar with the local property market can offer added insights and may speed up certain processes.
- Availability - Ensure they have the time and resources to handle your case diligently without excessive delays.
- Potential Conflicts of Interest - It is vital that the solicitor represents your interests without any conflicting affiliations with equity release providers.
Considering these factors will help homeowners make an informed decision, ensuring they receive top-tier guidance and a smooth equity release process.
Common Questions
How to Choose the Best Equity Release Solicitor?
What Services Do the Best Equity Release Solicitors Provide?
What Are the Potential Risks and How Can a Solicitor Can Mitigate Them?
Who Are the Best Equity Release Solicitors in the UK?
What Should I Expect from the Best Equity Release Solicitor?
Are There Reviews of the Best Equity Release Solicitors?
Conclusion
Choosing the right equity release solicitor is a critical step in unlocking the financial freedom you desire through your home's value.
The ideal solicitor not only offers expert legal advice but also navigates you through the labyrinth of regulations, contract terms, and long-term implications of equity release.
By considering factors like experience, fees, client reviews, and professional accreditations, you can make an informed decision that safeguards your financial future.
Always remember, the best equity release solicitors are not just legal experts; they are trusted advisors who make the complex equity release journey straightforward and secure for you.
The features mentioned and the amounts raised, are subject to the lender’s criteria, terms and conditions. These may take into account the age, health and lifestyle factors in order to provide an enhanced amount. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.