Considering releasing equity from your home to supplement your retirement income, fund home improvements, or help family members? It’s a significant financial decision that requires careful consideration and expert legal guidance.
At Fisher Jones Greenwood, our specialist equity release lawyers who are able to assist with transactions in our Essex offices. We are members of the Equity Release Council, ensuring you receive the highest standard of professional advice throughout the process.
We’ll review your equity release offer thoroughly and explain all terms and conditions in plain English, while our Wills and Life Planning team can guide you through the implications for your estate and beneficiaries. With transparent fixed fees and decades of experience across Essex, we’re here to give you complete peace of mind.
Contact us today on 08455 435 700 for expert equity release legal advice, or complete our online enquiry form to request a call back at a time that suits you.
Our equity release solicitors offer comprehensive legal support throughout your equity release journey, including:
Review and Advice
We thoroughly examine your equity release documents received from your lender , checking all terms, conditions, interest rates, and early repayment charges. Our team will identify any clauses that could impact your flexibility or financial position in the future.
Protection and Safeguards Assessment
We verify that essential protections are in place, including the no negative equity guarantee, your right to remain in your home for life, and provisions for moving to alternative suitable accommodation. These safeguards are fundamental to a secure equity release arrangement.
Estate and Inheritance Implications
Our team explains clearly how releasing equity will affect your estate value and what this means for your beneficiaries. Where necessary or requested, we can refer you to our Wills, Life Planning and Probate team to ensure your equity release decision fits within your broader estate planning strategy.
Independent Legal Representation
As required by the Equity Release Council, we act independently, protecting your interests throughout. We’re here to answer your questions honestly and ensure you’re making a fully informed decision.
Full Conveyancing Support
We handle all legal formalities, from ID verification and anti-money laundering checks through to Land Registry registration, keeping you updated at every stage.
Liaison with All Parties
We coordinate with your equity release adviser, the lender, and any other professionals involved in your case, managing the process efficiently so you don’t have to.
Step 1: Initial Consultation and Review
Once you’ve chosen your equity release plan with an adviser, you’ll instruct us to act as your solicitor. We’ll request all relevant documentation from the lender and review the offer.
Step 2: Thorough Legal Review
Our team conduct a comprehensive review of your equity release contract, examining every term and condition. We check interest rates, early repayment charges, downsizing provisions, and any restrictions on your property. We also verify that all required protections are included and that the scheme complies with Equity Release Council standards.
Step 3: Clear Advice and Recommendations
We arrange a consultation to discuss your circumstances and answer any questions. This meeting can take place at any of our offices across Essex. We provide you with detailed, jargon-free advice about what you’re agreeing to and the long-term implications. This includes explaining how the loan will grow over time, the impact on your estate, potential effects on means-tested benefits, and your options should your circumstances change. We’ll discuss any concerns we have and suggest amendments where appropriate.
Step 4: Completion and Registration
Once you’re completely satisfied and ready to proceed, we handle all completion formalities. We ensure funds are released correctly, register the charge against your property with the Land Registry, and provide you with all final documentation.
Step 5: Post-Completion Support
After completion, we’ll send you a comprehensive completion pack with all your legal documents. Should you need any advice in the future about your equity release arrangement, our team is always here to help.
To find out more about equity release, read our comprehensive blog.
Equity Release Council Membership – Our solicitors are members of the Equity Release Council, the industry body that sets and maintains professional standards for equity release advice. This membership demonstrates our commitment to best practice and ensures we stay updated with the latest regulations and developments in equity release law.
Four Decades of Property Law Excellence – Fisher Jones Greenwood has over 40 years’ experience providing expert legal advice across Essex. Our residential conveyancing team handles around 3,000 property transactions annually, giving us unparalleled insight into property law and equity release matters. We’re one of the eastern region’s top law firms in the 2026 Legal 500 rankings, recognised by clients and peers alike for our technical expertise and client care.
Holistic Legal Support for Your Lifetime – We offer a full range of expert legal support for every stage of life, taking a holistic approach to equity release. Our team works closely with our Wills, Life Planning and Probate specialists to give you peace of mind that your future and your loved ones are fully considered.
Transparent Fixed Fee Pricing –We believe in complete transparency. Our equity release legal service is charged at a fixed fee of £1,000 + VAT, (plus any relevant disbursements) covering all work required to complete the equity release element of the transaction. If you are purchasing with the assistance of equity release there will be further costs and disbursements required. Each quotation will be tailored to your situation along with any additional costs and third-party costs that we would expect to incur.
Client-Focused Approach – We understand that equity release is often a significant decision made at an important life stage. Our team will take the time to listen to your circumstances, explain everything clearly without legal jargon, and ensure you feel confident about your choice. We’re committed to providing legal advice with a conscience, always acting in your best interests.
For more than four decades, Fisher Jones Greenwood has provided expert legal advice to individuals and businesses throughout Essex, Suffolk, and London. Our dedicated team of solicitors is committed to delivering practical solutions for your legal matters. Contact us on 08455 435 700 or via our online enquiry form to schedule a consultation.
Request A CallbackWhat is equity release?
Equity release allows homeowners aged 55 and over to access the wealth tied up in their property without having to sell or move home. The two main types are lifetime mortgages, where you borrow against your property while retaining ownership, and home reversion plans, where you sell all or part of your home to a provider while retaining the right to live there rent-free.
Do I need a solicitor for equity release?
Yes, absolutely. Under Equity Release Council standards, you must use an independent solicitor to act on your behalf. Your solicitor reviews the contract, explains all terms and implications, and ensures your interests are protected. This independent legal advice is a crucial safeguard in the equity release process.
How much do equity release solicitors charge?
At Fisher Jones Greenwood, we charge a transparent fixed fee of £1000 + VAT for our equity release legal service. This covers all work required to complete your matter, including contract review, advice, and Land Registry registration. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying from the start with no hidden costs.
How long does the equity release legal process take?
Typically, the legal process takes between once we receive all necessary documentation from your equity release provider. However, this can vary depending on the complexity of your case and how quickly information is provided by all parties involved.
Will equity release affect my benefits?
Equity release can affect means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, Council Tax Support, or Universal Credit because it increases your capital or income. We strongly recommend checking with the relevant authorities or seeking financial advice before proceeding with equity release if you receive means-tested benefits.
What happens to my equity release when I die?
When you pass away, your home is sold and the equity release loan, plus any accumulated interest, is repaid to the lender. Any remaining proceeds go to your estate and beneficiaries according to your Will. If you have a no negative equity guarantee (which is standard with Equity Release Council members), you can never owe more than your home is worth.
Can I change my mind after signing?
Yes. You have a 14-day cooling-off period after signing your equity release contract during which you can cancel without penalty. This gives you time to reflect on your decision and seek additional advice if needed.
What protections should my equity release include?
Your equity release plan should include several key protections: a no negative equity guarantee ensuring you never owe more than your home’s value; the right to remain in your property for life or until you move into long-term care; and the ability to move to another suitable property. Our solicitors verify these protections are in place before you proceed.
Will equity release affect my existing mortgage?
If you have an existing mortgage, this must be repaid as part of the equity release process. The equity release funds are used to clear your current mortgage first, with any remaining amount released to you. This means your home becomes the security for the equity release loan instead.
Can I release more equity in the future?
Many lifetime mortgages include a “drawdown facility” that allows you to release additional equity in the future without taking it all upfront. This can be more cost-effective as you only pay interest on the amount you’ve actually borrowed. Your solicitor will explain whether your chosen plan includes this option and how it works.
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