Will Writing Services
Why make a Will?
A Will is an essential part of later life planning, being the only formal way of expressing your wishes when you die. A professionally drafted Will allows you to specify who inherits your money, property and possessions and can help avoid complications and disputes after you have gone.
There are numerous reasons for making a Will, here are just a few examples: -
- Unmarried couples: Without a Will your partner may not receive anything!
- Parents: Who will look after the children? You need to ensure that you have an appointed guardian.
- Avoid Rules of Intestacy: Without a Will your estate is distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy, a rigid set of rules that dictate who receives what - these may not be the people you would choose!
- Discretionary gifts: There may be reasons why you do not want to give a person, or persons, an outright gift. A legacy to a Discretionary Trust in a Will can allow a beneficiary, or group of beneficiaries, to benefit without the risk of it being squandered or claimed by third parties.
- Protection of assets: If your partner remarries after your death or co-habits, changes their Will, or needs care in later life, your assets may not pass down to your chosen beneficiaries. With Property Protection Trust Wills you are able to ring-fence your share of the property for your beneficiaries, whatever the future holds for your partner.
Essential Later Life Planning can discuss all aspects of Wills in more detail, and will be happy to provide a fixed fee no obligation quotation customised to your needs.
FAQ – I have already made a Will and named Executors - can they act for me during my lifetime?
No, your Executors in your Will have no authority until after you have died. With a lasting power of attorney you can appoint a person (or persons) to make decisions on your behalf during your lifetime if they need to, and their role will cease upon your death. Your executor(s) and chosen attorney(s) may of course be the same people but these are completely separate legal appointments.
If you have recently suffered a bereavement you may wish to review our Probate page.