Making a Will is one of the most important steps that a person can take in their life – yet it is one that a staggeringly high number neglect to do before they die. The effects of not making a Will, known as Intestacy, can be unpredictable and often result in legacies and inheritances not going to those people to whom you would have wished. This is particularly so given the prevalence of second marriages and step families.
Making a Will can often be complex and there are fertile grounds for making mistakes. This is one of the reasons why DIY Will kits and non-regulated Will Writing firms are so discouraged, as one error in the drafting or execution of the Will can lead to quite unexpected, and often devastating outcomes, and can often lead to fall-outs amongst surviving family members.
Reviewing a Will is equally as important, and it is recommended that a Will is reviewed every 2 years (or whenever there is a change in your family circumstances), to ensure that it remains appropriate. This is to ensure that, where necessary, wills are updated to keep pace with changes in family life, such as births, deaths and marriages, which may affect how your current Will deals with your legacy.
At Wadsworths, we have been helping the local community arrange their financial affairs for over 25 years, and presently hold in excess of 15,000 Wills in our Will Bank. We have particular expertise in advising clients on how best to ensure that the right people inherit their estate when they die, as well as that the right funeral arrangements are put in place. You will also be safe in the knowledge that your Will has been drafted and executed by a firm of Solicitors, properly regulated and with particular expertise in this field.
Moreover, we are able to assist in providing advice in ensuring that clients’ financial affairs are managed in such a way as to minimise liability for Inheritance Tax. This will often be with the input of an external firm of Financial Planners.
The cost of a Will is kept deliberately low in the hope of encouraging as many people as possible make a Will, or to keep their existing will updated.
We also offer a free, no-obligation Will-Review service, where you can come and have a chat with one of our staff, to discuss whether your present Will ensures that your final wishes are still provided for. We also offer a home visit service so that if you are unable to travel or are in hospital we will come to you to take your instructions.