When do you write a will?

Your will lets you decide what happens to your money, property and possessions after your death. But why should you make a will?

A will can provide reassurance that your savings and your estate go to the people and causes that you care about, which will avoid disputes between relatives which can occasionally occur. Leaving a will should remove any doubt about who you want to leave your estate to.
Providing a will allows you to look after your loved ones & talking through will with your loved ones can save everyone a lot of worry. It also protects your assets for future generations, as well as saving on Inheritance Tax; with a carefully-planned will, you can also cut the Inheritance Tax bill on your estate after your death.

Your will can also be a way to let people know whether you would prefer to be buried or cremated, and the type of funeral service and music you would like.

The age at which one should write a will depends, to some extent, on individual circumstances. You can make a will any time after you are 18 years old, but there are some life events that you might think of as triggers for the preparation of a will including Getting Married, Having Children, Re-Marriage or a Terminal Illness

Who will inherit your estate if you die without a will?
If you have a spouse or civil partner and children, your spouse or civil partner will inherit all your personal possessions and at least the first £250,000 of your estate, plus half the rest. Your children will then be entitled to the other half of the balance. If you have a spouse or civil partner but don’t have children, your spouse or civil partner will inherit your whole estate. This includes your personal possessions.

If you’d like any further information about our wills & probate services, feel free to contact us