15/01/2014
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE A WILL
Making a will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death. If you have not made a valid Will all your property and chattels will pass according to the Law of Intestacy, often with consequences you may have wanted to avoid. Furthermore, on death the Probate Registry has to approve the distribution of your estate and without a Will it will most likely take much longer to finalise, during which time access to your money for your loved ones is usually 'frozen' or very limited.
TAX?
7 out of 10 people in the UK don't have a Will. It is not surprising that in 2012 the Treasury earned £2.6 billion from Inheritance Tax, the majority of which could have been avoided if more people had made tax efficient Wills.
MARRIED?
Don't assume "my other half will get everything". The law will limit the amount going directly to your spouse, with your children having rights to the remainder - brothers, sisters or parents may also have a valid claim on your estate.
UNMARRIED?
If you are a co-habiting couple but not married, you are often treated as a single person and then your surviving partner will get nothing at all.
PARENTS?
Who will look after your children in the event of your death? - this is particularly important for one parent families or unmarried parents living together. A valid Will nominating guardians is vital in such cases. If it's not written in your Will only the courts will have the final decision on your Children's futures.
PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIP?
Family life can be much more complicated than it used to be with divorces and children from previous relationships/marriages now common place - the only way to guarantee that your wishes on death are fully taken into account is to make a Will.
RETIRED?
Maybe you made a Will some time ago before the state could use your property to help finance any future long term care needs, before you had Grandchildren, before recent legislation changes - it's vital to reconsider your Will regularly to reflect these changes.
DON'T PUT IT OFF ANY LONGER - IT COULD BE COSTLY IN SO MANY WAYS!!!
