Recent research by the Money & Pensions service reports that 56% of adults don’t have a will, a shocking fact when thinking of how stressful things can be if you pass without one. Protect your loved ones from complex legal processes and ensure your assets are safeguarded with expert legal guidance from our specialist solicitors.
Writing your Will
Passing away without a Will means your estate will be distributed according to the strict rules of intestacy. Without a Will, your loved ones will be forced to navigate a stressful administration procedure, and your estate may not be distributed as you would have wished.
By writing a Will, you maintain control over your assets and spare your family from unnecessary hardship during a difficult time. It is equally vital to keep your Will up to date as your circumstances change. This is especially important if you are a high-net-worth individual, if you have a complicated estate involving property in other countries or disabled children who require specialised care and protection.
The benefits of using a solicitor to write your Will
While you can legally write your own Will, doing so carries significant risks. Without expert legal knowledge, errors in drafting can render the Will invalid or leave it open to costly legal challenges. Using a lawyer ensures your Will is legally binding and accurately reflects your intentions.
- Minimise Inheritance Tax: A solicitor can provide strategic advice to structure your estate efficiently, safeguarding your wealth for future generations.
- Prevent claims against your estate: A professionally drafted Will is significantly harder to challenge. Lawyers can guide you on how to avoid claims of undue influence or lack of capacity.
- Protect your loved ones: Clear, legally sound instructions prevent complex administration procedures and costly family disputes.
- Expert legal guidance: Gain absolute peace of mind knowing your affairs are in the hands of specialists.
Why choose Buckles to help write your Will
Every family situation is different from the next. Getting to know you and understanding your priorities are crucial to us in protecting your interests. We have extensive experience working with clients across the spectrum, ranging from straightforward Wills to highly complicated estates and high-net-worth individuals.
Not only are our solicitors highly experienced in writing Wills, but we also specialise in claims against estates. Because we understand exactly how and why Wills are contested, we know how to advise you to avoid these claims in the first place by drafting a robust, watertight document. If you want our assistance in writing a will or updating an old one, please get in touch with our team to see how we can help you secure your legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why make a Will?
If you make a Will, your property and affairs will be dealt with in accordance with your wishes when you die, instead of in accordance with the rules of intestacy, which may not be what you would have wanted.
Having a Will can also help:
- Reduce administration costs
- Speed up the process of transferring your assets to beneficiaries, helping to reduce stress and hardship
- Take care of the needs of young children
- Provide for a friend or unmarried partner
- Minimise any liability to Inheritance Tax (IHT)
- Help protect assets from a potential liability to care home fees (CHFs)
What will happen if I don’t make a Will?
Dying without having made a Will brings into effect the rules of intestacy which, aside from involving a more complex and expensive administration procedure, provide that:
- Your spouse or civil partner may only be entitled to part of your estate
- Your children or grandchildren will inherit your assets at age 18, which you may feel is too young
- Only blood relatives and your spouse or civil partner can benefit. Your in-laws, friends and unmarried partner (whether having lived with you for many years or not) will NOT inherit your estate
Can you write your own Will?
While you are legally permitted to write your own Will, doing so without professional guidance is risky. Errors in wording or failing to follow strict witnessing rules can completely invalidate the document, meaning your estate will be treated as if you died without a Will. A solicitor ensures your Will is clear, legally binding, and free from ambiguity.
How often should I update my Will?
You should review your Will regularly to ensure it still reflects your circumstances. Major life events automatically affect your Will; for example, unless made in contemplation of marriage, marriage will revoke an existing Will. You should also review your Will following a divorce, separation, the birth of children, or a significant change in the value of your personal wealth.
What should I include in my Will?
Your Will should clearly name the executors who will administer your estate and appoint guardians for any young children. It must detail specific gifts or financial provisions you wish to leave, clearly state who will inherit the remainder of your estate, and establish any trusts needed to protect vulnerable beneficiaries, such as children with disabilities.
