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Wills

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Why make a will?

Dying without a will in the UK means that your estate is subject to the rules of intestacy. Under intestacy rules, a surviving spouse or civil partner may not inherit your entire estate but may have to share it with children or with your parents or siblings. Cohabitees and step-children will not automatically benefit from an intestate estate.

A well drafted will can ensure that your chosen beneficiaries inherit your estate with the minimum of fuss. Our will writing solicitors will help you to plan for the transfer of your estate on death taking into account:

  • Your family and fiscal circumstances.
  • Issues such as guardianship and the appointment of appropriate executors.

Our solicitors will guide you through the options available to you when preparing to write your Will, advising of the tax consequences of your proposals.

Also a Last Will and Testament should be an essential part of any succession planning for your business.

We do not recommend 'do it yourself' (DIY) wills. Sadly, when someone has prepared a DIY will they die believing that their affairs are in order but in many cases, the Will proves to be difficult to interpret or is sometimes not even valid. As a result, the family of the deceased may face lengthy and expensive proceedings to finalise the deceased's affairs. To avoid such complications, speak to us and allow a specialist solicitor to prepare your Last Will and Testament for you. It does not have to be expensive.

Once we have ensured that your Last Will and Testament has been validly executed, we store your Will free of charge and will provide you with a copy for your records.

How do I make a will?

Contact us for an information pack. You will find enclosed a Will questionnaire for you to look at. This will explain the kind of information that we would require from you to draft your Will.

When you are ready, we will arrange a time convenient for you to visit our office or for us to visit you to discuss your Will.

In the meeting we will discuss any queries you may have and give you any advice that you require. We will then draft your Will and you can return at a later date to discuss and sign, when we will provide witnesses to your signature.