WILLS
If you care about what will happen to your property when you die you should make a Will.
If you care about who will deal with everything after your death you may be sure that the executors and trustees are people chosen by you in your Will to deal with matters.
Do you want to make sure your children and dependents are provided for? If so you should make a Will to include provision for them.
Do you want to make a gift to charity in your Will? If so we are able to advise you with regard to this.
What if you are living together and not married? The law does not recognise cohabitants. We are able to advise you on making provision in your Will for cohabitants.
What about the possibility of Inheritance Tax on your death? Do you need advice about this? If so we can help you. Click here to visit the HMRC Inheritance Tax page
Although it is possible to make a homemade Will without using solicitor, problems often arise which prevent your wishes from being carried out. Without the help of an expert such as a solicitor, there is a real risk that you could make a mistake which could cause problems for your family and friends after your death.
If you have any particular wishes for your funeral these may be included in the Will.
If you want to make sure a particular gift is given to someone specific this may be recorded in your Will so as to make the gift legally binding.
You may need to appoint legal guardians for any of your children who are under 18.
You may want to set up a trust in the Will e.g for a disabled beneficiary or for your family. If so we would be able to advise you on all aspects of setting up a trust in your Will.
You should review your Will from time to time particularly following any major changes in your life e.g separation, marriage, divorce, moving house, having a child.
It is important to keep your Will in a safe place. Many people ask their solicitor to store their Will for them. We do not charge for storage and also are able to offer free registration with ‘Certainty’ an online Wills Register endorsed by the Law Society of which we are founder members.
If you would like further information about making a Will please do not hesitate to contact us at our office on 01424 721234.
Aileen Francis is our solicitor and specialist in this area of law being a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). As a member of STEP Aileen Francis adheres to the principles in the STEP Code for Will Preparation in England and Wales. These high professional standards act as a mark of quality, setting a member of STEP apart from other practitioners. They will provide you with the reassurance that when you choose to use a STEP member you are working with a professional advisor who will conduct your business in an open and transparent manner and with integrity.