Why Make a Will?

Making a Will

A will is a tool to set out what you would like to happen to your estate when you pass away. A common misconception people have is that if they don’t have a will everything will pass to their partner or that the family will be able to decide for themselves what happens. This is not true. If you do not make a will, you are classed as intestate and the law will dictate who will benefit from your estate, and this may include family members to whom you might not want to leave your money.

Why make a Will?

If you make a will, you get to choose who you want to sort out your estate for you – your Executors – and you also get to choose who benefits and to what amount. Making a will gives you certainty and peace of mind that your family, friends, or charities are provided for to the extent that you choose. A will allows you to consider the following:

• Appointing Guardians for children
• Setting out funeral wishes
• Making provision for an unmarried partner
• Leaving gifts of specific items such as jewellery, sums of money, or gifts to charities
• Making provision for complex family structures either for children from a previous marriage or including stepchildren from a new marriage
• Any estate planning either because of inheritance tax planning or future care fees
• Making provision for someone with learning difficulties, or a vulnerable adult, by way of a trust to prevent the interruption of a care package and to ensure financial support in managing their inheritance
• Excluding a family member whom you do not wish to inherit, or who does not wish to inherit for tax or care fee purposes

If you would like a free, no-obligation appointment to discuss your circumstances, please contact Jane Flaherty on 01404 541904 or email jane.flaherty@everys.co.uk in the first instance and an appointment will be made with one of our Private Client Solicitors.