Wills

None of us really like to think about death and maybe this is why 60% of us die without ever having made a Will.  The common misconceptions include that it is “too expensive”, “everything I own will go automatically to my spouse” or “my assets are too insignificant”.

To make things easy for those left behind and to avoid problems that can arise from not having a Will, or having a badly drafted Will, we can help you get what you need in place. We have the expertise and experience to ensure that your Will covers what your circumstances require and meets your needs as you want. Our advice and support allows you to make informed decisions.

A Will allows you to:

• appoint who you want and trust to sort everything out following your death – your Executors
• appoint Guardians to bring up your children
• decide who gets what and on what basis
• incorporate Trusts into your Will to protect your property
• incorporate Trusts into your Will to protect assets for vulnerable members of your family
• make provisions for your business
• set out your funeral wishes
• reduce or even avoid the payment of Inheritance Tax

If you do not have a Will you lose your right to choose what happens on your death:

• the Law dictates who gets what and on what basis
• the Court may have to decide who brings up your children

Things change over time. That is why if you do have a Will we recommend that you should review it regularly to make sure that it still reflects your circumstances and meets your needs. For example:-

• have you married, divorced, separated or remarried since you made your Will?
• have you had any (more) children or grandchildren?
• do you have any nieces, nephews or other friends to whom you might want to leave something?
• have you moved house?
• has anyone mentioned in your Will died?
• have any tax changes affected your Will?

The issues arising from making Wills are inevitably numerous and varied - we can help to simplify them and provide solutions.

To discuss how we can help you please email Nick Scott or call us on 01908 692769.