Lowdown on wills

Even thinking about a will, let alone making a will, can be confusing and something we naturally feel apprehensive about. We know that just over half of all the adults in the UK have a will, which leaves a staggering amount without. But why is it important that you have a will in the first place, what type do you need, and how do you make a will? We’ll answer all this and much more in our introduction to will writing.

Why it’s important to have a will

Putting together a will is more straightforward and a lot cheaper than most people think. It’s a relatively easy task, but an incredibly important one, nonetheless. Having a will that has been professionally written can avoid complex and difficult legal situations for your family. It will ensure that your loved ones can benefit in the way you wish without having to follow rules that dictate how your money will be allocated, should you die without one.

What types of will are there?

There are several types of wills, and the most suitable for you will be dependent on your circumstances and the complexity of your estate.

Here are the two most common types of will:
Simple will – If you’re affairs are straightforward; this is the will for you. For example, this could be that your wishes are to leave your estate to your spouse or children.

Mirror will – These are made when a couple would like their wills to reflect the same terms, for example, a couple with children and how their estate is passed on. The wills are made together but can be changed at any time without permission from the other person.

How do I make a will?

You can make a will without using a solicitor if your will is straightforward; however, we would always advise that you seek professional assistance to ensure that your interests are protected and that you are perfectly happy with the content. To make a will legally valid, you must have it formally witnessed and signed.

Radshaw Solicitors offer consultations by phone, in person, or you can complete the process by post if your will is relatively straightforward. If you have more complex requirements or would like to talk about tax-planning or asset protection options, such as setting up a trust, we advise having a more in-depth consultation where we can advise you based on your circumstances.

We can also update your existing will, should your circumstances have changed. An official alteration is called a codicil, and our team can advise you on the best way to do this.

What should I consider when writing a will?

Naturally, everyone’s circumstances and needs are different, but there are some key things you can consider when writing a will:

• The value of your estate
• Inheritance tax (IHT) allowances
• How you own your assets
• Who you want to leave your assets to (i.e., your beneficiaries)?
• Who you would like to be the executors of your estate?

If you need to make a will or would like specific advice on writing a will, we would be happy to hear from you to make sure your wishes are carried out in the way you want.

Contact us at: info@radshawsolicitors.com or 0333 3445 548