Will FAQs

Why do I need a Will?

Our clients make their Wills for a variety of different reasons. Here are just some of them:

Control the distribution of your Estate. If you don't have a Will then the way that your assets and property will be distributed will be left up to the authorities (Laws of Intestacy 1925). Unsurprisingly not many people want this to happen as it may result in a number of problems – not least the fact that a surviving spouse may have to share their inheritance with other relatives. If you're unmarried and don't have a Will these Laws may also mean that your partner inherits nothing at all. If you're single your money could actually end up going to the State.
Appoint Guardians for your Children. A Will is one of the most practical ways of appointing Guardians for your children. In the case of a married couple, if you and your partner die without appointing Guardians then the Local Authorities will do this on your behalf. In cases where a couple is unmarried and have children born prior to 2003 it may actually mean that the father may not get automatic Parental Responsibility.
Protecting your Wealth. One of the most popular reasons for arranging a Will is to ensure that your accumulated wealth is not wasted by beneficiaries or inherited by those you do not want to access your funds (e.g. on remarriage).
Leave a Legacy to Charity. A Will provides you with the opportunity to benefit your favourite Charity (free of tax) by leaving a legacy.
Look after a family pet. If you aren't around your Will can help ensure that your much loved pet will be looked after.
Set up Trusts. These can be established for the benefit of children to ensure that they do not inherit too early and waste money or assets you have given to them.

What about those packs that cost £9.99 on the High Street?

Rumour has it that some solicitors make more money out of putting right incorrectly-compiled DIY Will Packs than they do out of writing normal Wills for their own clients. These packs are fine if you use them for relatively simple requirements and you follow the instructions carefully. If we had a penny for every client who has told us that they bought one but never got around to doing it...!

I've seen an ad offering a Will plus home visit for £19.99?

Every industry has its cowboys. Rather than pretend that they don't exist we'd rather warn you about them as many people have been caught out by scams such as these and have ended up paying far in excess of £19.99.