The only way to make sure that your wishes are carried out after your death is to make a Will.
Without a Will, the law decides who gets what, rather than you. The result may not be what you would have wished for.
Although in normal circumstances your spouse would receive some of your wealth, he or she would not necessarily be entitled to everything. Should you both die in an accident together there are complex rules that apply that may result in one side of the family getting everything and the other side nothing.
If you have children from a previous relationship or other relations who depend upon you financially, they may not be provided for which could lead to a dispute.
Why use a solicitor?
It is possible to write your own Will, but DIY Wills can create serious problems for those left behind. It is all too easy to create legally binding settlements or trusts without meaning to, and if the Will uses incorrect or imprecise wording, it may be invalid or give rise to a dispute.
Making a Will is not expensive. It is not worth the risk of doing it yourself just to save a few pounds. With increases in property prices, many more estates now fall within the scope of Inheritance Tax. Without advice, you may miss out on opportunities to minimise the tax paid out of your estate. Austins will ensure that you do not waste thousands of pounds in unnecessary Inheritance Tax and we will also store your Will free of charge.
We will provide a face to face interview with a member of our specialist team who will prepare a Will that is tailor-made to your requirements. We will keep the Will for you if you wish, and can update it at any stage.
Our team can also offer good advice on the best way to arrange your financial affairs, tax planning and trusts so that you, your dependants and heirs are properly provided for.
Austins can also act as Executors if required. Normally, you will need at least two people you trust to act and deal with your affairs, so appointing a professional Executor along with a relative ensures that your estate is dealt with in an expert, yet friendly manner.