Want to make a start on your will?
Making a Will is not about wealth it is about making sure that what you want to happen to your estate does happen. It gives you the opportunity to specify such things as who will administer your estate, who will care for your children and who will receive specific items of your property.
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We all grow older but rarely take time to consider what life will be like in old age. With luck we will be fit and healthy and enjoy a long and happy retirement, but what if we don’t?
Many of us make financial provision for old age but less thought is usually given to the burden we are likely to place on our loved ones – whether it is related to long-term care or coping with bereavement. With foresight and careful planning, steps can be taken to ease this burden, particularly with the use of wills, trusts and Powers of Attorney.
Planning ahead can save you and your family anxiety, time and money – help with a lot of difficult decisions about your estate can ensure that your wishes are carried out before and after your death.
This website will help you to make your will. It explains all the requirements for a legally valid will in England and Wales and points out the problems that can arise if a will isn’t made properly. Bear in mind that over 60% of people in the UK have not written a will. Whilst you can write your own will it is always an idea to seek legal help.
The website covers the law in England and Wales only. The law in other parts of the British Isles is different in many respects and is not covered. Anyone (including a foreign national) who is aged 18 or older and who lives in England and Wales, or who owns property here, can make a will under English law.
Do you want to:
- Decide how your estate will be divided and not leave the decision to the state?
- Ensure your spouse and children are properly provided for?
- Provide for a relative or friend?
- Make a gift to charity?
- Provide for your unmarried partner ?
- Minimise administration costs?
- Prevent added stress and worry for your family?
- Minimise tax liabilities?
- Decide who will administer your estate?
- Appoint a guardian for your children?
Then perhaps you need a will?
Conversely, residents ofy make wills in other parts of the world if they own property there.
Administration of Affairs
The law relating to wills and the administration of the affairs of deceased people is vast and complicated.The leading work on the subject of wills extends to two large volumes and many thousands of words. In a website this size it is impossible to go into the same depth or to cover each and every situation which may arise.
However, if your affairs are straightforward, you should be able to make a valid will following the guidance within this site or see https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Death/Preparation/DG-10029800 for more help.
If your affairs are more complicated, you will still find the information helpful. It will help you to gather your thoughts and map out your wishes before seeking professional advice on the actual drafting of your will.
This website also covers the basic process of administration of a deceased’s estate.
‘Estate’ is the term used to describe the assets the deceased leaves and the liabilities to be settled. The term ‘administration’ means the collecting in of the assets, settlement of the liabilities, winding up of the tax affairs of the deceased and paying out the money due to the beneficiaries.
Finding a solicitor
If you need to make a will but don’t have a solicitor, visit – Find a solicitor and search under ‘Wills and Probate’ at www.lawsociety.org.uk to get details of solicitors in your area. Or you can call 020 7320 5650.