Wills

Why make a will?

Seven out of ten people in the UK die without a will – leaving the law to decide how their property and assets are to be divided. All too often this can give rise to a family dispute or create problems which may be costly and time consuming to resolve. The simple answer is for everyone to make a will.

Preparing a will can be complicated and requires a thorough knowledge of the laws relating to inheritance, property, families and taxes. We have extensive experience of all types of wills - from the most basic to highly complex wills which involve business succession and Inheritance Tax mitigation. Each will is tailor-made taking account of the client's personal circumstances, family and other commitments and the possible impact of inheritance and other taxes. Home visits can be arranged.

Protect your family and loved ones

Don't assume that your partner will inherit your entire estate. Even if you are married and have children this is often not the case. Worse still - if you are unmarried your partner may not inherit anything at all. Making a will allows you to set out exactly who you wish to inherit your property and assets on your death.

Care for your children

If you have young children by leaving a will you can ensure that they are cared for and that they receive their inheritance at a specific age.

Help your favourite charities

Gifts to charities can potentially reduce the Inheritance Tax which may otherwise be charged on your estate.

Prevent legal problems after your death

A will which is poorly drafted or one which is out of date can cause huge problems on your death. It is vital that your will is reviewed on a regular basis especially when you move home, have children, get married or divorced. Ideally your will should be reviewed at least once every three to four years and we regularly contact our clients whose wills we hold to ensure that they are up to date.

Save your money

It is cheaper to make a will than you might think and we have a comprehensive range of fees subject to your individual requirements. Plus ultimately our advice might save your beneficiaries a great deal of Inheritance Tax.

Storage

It is vital that your will is kept safe until your death and we recommend that you allow us to look after your will as well as the deeds to your home and any other important documents - free of charge.