Wills

Making a will is the only way you can guarantee that everything you own at your death will be passed on as you wish - and not according to strict, inflexible laws.

Even if you have no family, you can still ensure that your property and possessions go to friends or your favourite charities. This won't happen if you die without a Will.

Contrary to popular belief, making a Will is not difficult - by using our Will - writing service you can be certain that your wishes will be carried out exactly as you require.

Why is a will important?

If you are married...

It is incorrect to assume that, on death of one spouse, everything will pass to the other. Without a Will, the law decides how your possessions will be distributed and if you have children or other close living relatives - even long-lost cousins - they may benefit.

This might even result in a widow having to sell the family home because other people are entitled to a share of its value!

As you can see, it is vital that both husband and wife make separate Wills.

If you live with your partner - but are not married ...

The law states that if you die without a Will, NOTHING will automatically go to your partner - even though you may have been together for many years and may have children.

If you have children...

Your Will enables you to nominate guardians for your children. If you and your partner should both die without Wills before they reach the age of eighteen, the Courts will decide who should look after them. Their decision is unlikely to coincide with your wishes. A Will also enables you to protect their inheritance until they are grown up.

You should note that an unmarried father may not automatically become the guardian of his natural child on the death of the mother.

If you have no family...

If you die without a valid Will, then EVERYTHING you own will go to the Crown, i.e. into Government coffers.

You have made a Will but...

Marriage : all Wills become invalid on marriage unless you state that you are writing your Will in anticipation of your marriage.

If you are separated, but not yet divorced, it makes sense to rewrite your Will.

Divorce invalidates any provision made for your spouse and it is essential therefore that both of you have new Wills.

It is possible to write your own Will but it is more sensible to use a specialist. It is not expensive and is the best way of ensuring that you have covered every contingency.