Making a Will is one of the most important things you will ever do to protect your family or loved ones.

Many of you may be put off making a Will - but the sooner it is done, the sooner you can be sure that your family will be properly protected, your estate will be handled as you wish and the tax you will pay will be kept to a minimum.

When you die your property, financial and personal affairs must be dealt with. A Will helps to simplify the administration of your estate and remove some of the stress and worry for your family at a time of bereavement.

Over 70% of the UK population have not made a Will.  If you die without a Will the rules of ‘intestacy’ would apply. The position for married and unmarried couples is different. Since the Civil Partnership Act 2004, civil partners have the same rights as married couples and the advice and examples given below apply equally to civil partners as to married couples.(Why you need a Will brochure)

6 things that could happen if you die without making a Will:

• If you are married with children and the legacy you leave is worth more than £325,000 your spouse will not inherit everything.
• If you are married without children, and the legacy you leave is worth more than £450,000 your spouse will not inherit everything.
• If you are living as an unmarried couple, your partner will not inherit anything and even if you own your home jointly, it may not pass automatically to him or her. An insurance policy may not pay off your joint mortgage.
• If you have stepchildren, without a Will, they will not inherit anything from you.
• If you are separated but not divorced your husband or wife will still be entitled to inherit from you.
• You lose freedom of choice.

6 reasons why you should make a Will:

• To ensure that all you own and have worked hard for, ends up in the right hands.
• Because you are worth more than you think.
• If you die without a Will, all your wealth will be divided by law, without regard for your personal wishes. Everything will not automatically go to your partner.
• Not leaving a Will could create problems for your family at a time when they do not need any further worry.
• If you have children, particularly if you are separated or unmarried, you can choose the person you would like to act as guardian.
• You can limit the tax burden and ensure your favourite charity benefits.

Making a Will is a relatively straight forward process and you can download our Will Information Form to help you make a start. (Will Info Form)

6 simple steps before making a Will:

• Before you see us, ask for our Will Information Form.
• List your assets and consider whom you would like to provide for and in what way.
• Consider whether you would like to leave money ‘in trust’ for children or grandchildren until they are grown up and at what age you think they should inherit.
• Choose an executor to ‘wind up your affairs’. This could be your partner, a beneficiary or your solicitor who has the knowledge and experience to make sure your wishes are fulfilled.
• Consider whether you would like to leave some money to charity (this can minimise a tax liability).
• Do not make a homemade Will nor go to a ‘Will-maker’ who is not a solicitor. We see too many mistakes.