Your last will and testament is a legal document that allows you to decide what happens to your estate after you die. By not having one in place can make it very difficult for the loved ones you leave behind.
If you are considering making a will for the first time to protect your family after your passing, it’s incredibly important to get it right using the right legal support. You can do it yourself, but in our experience, you’re best using a professional will-writer; if you don’t prepare your will properly, it may not be valid.
The main advantages of having a will in place means that your final wishes will be carried out exactly how you want them, including but not exclusive to:
- Instructions for which family members or friends will inherit your estate, fully or partially.
- What kind of funeral you would like to have.
- How your personal possessions should be distributed.
- Who should look after your children under 18, if you have any.
- Any legacy you wish to leave to a charity.
59% of UK adults don’t have a will in place – that’s potentially 39 million deceased people the courts will have to deal with in order to distribute an estate according to the rules of intestacy. Dying without a will will most certainly affect your loved ones, and here at Sovereign Wills and Estate Planning, we want to relieve families of the added stress that brings.
Our top 5 reasons for making a will are:
- Name a guardian for your children
Many people think that if they die, and there is no other surviving parent, any children under the age of 18 will automatically be looked after by members of the family such as grandparents or siblings. This is not the case. The decision on who looks after your children when you are gone is down to the family courts. Please don’t leave this to chance; legally name a guardian in your will for your child’s sake.
- Common-law wife or husband is a myth
No matter how long you have been with your partner, unless you are married, they will not automatically inherit upon your death. By making a will, you are ensuring that they will be taken care of and that your estate will not pass directly to any blood relatives.
- Safeguard your step-children and family home
If your home is shared with your step-children, they will not automatically inherit and could possibly lose the roof over their heads. In a will you can leave them a share of the property or stipulate a right to reside in the property, giving them peace of mind.
- Every family has one!
At a time of a loved one’s death, people you haven’t seen in years can often reappear. If a will is in place that clearly details your wishes there can be no room for family squabbles and unpleasantness. By making a will, you can head off any potential disputes and expensive court hearings if someone choses to challenge your final wishes.
- Be Inheritance Tax smart
Estate planning is a vital part of writing your will. By seeking the advice of an estate planning specialist, you could ensure that the way you divide your assets upon your death incur the least amount of inheritance tax. We are happy to offer our expert advice on this area of your estate planning.
Sovereign Wills & Estate Planning has the knowledge, expertise and legal experience to make sure that your wishes are taken care of when you pass away. We will work with you to protect your estate and your loved ones. For a friendly, free and informal chat about how we can help you, give us a call today.