Solicitors In - Making a Will

Making a Will - Your Legacy will end up ... where?

Without a will, the State directs who inherits your estate, so your friends, favourite charities and relatives may get nothing.

It is particularly important to make a will if you are not married or are not in a registered civil partnership (a legal arrangement that gives same-sex partners the same status as a married couple). This is because the law does not automatically recognise cohabitants (partners who live together) as having the same rights as husbands, wives and civil partners. As a result, even if you've lived together for many years, your cohabitant may be left with nothing if you have not made a will.

A will is also vital if you have children or dependants who may not be able to care for themselves. Without a will there could be uncertainty about who will look after or provide for them if you die.

Could one or more of these scenarios be relevant to your situation?

* several people could make a claim on your estate when you die because they depend on you financially;
* you want to include a trust in your will (perhaps to provide for young children or a disabled person, save tax,
* or simply protect your assets in some way after you die);
* your permanent home is not in the UK or you are not a British citizen;
* you live here but you have overseas property; or
* you own all or part of a business.

Once you have had a will drawn up, some changes to your circumstances, for example, marriage, civil partnership, separation, divorce or if your civil partnership is dissolved (legally ended), can make all or part of that will invalid or inadequate. This means that you must review your will regularly, to reflect any major life changes.

Who do you want to leave your assets to? How do you want to divide your property between your loved ones, friends or charities? Are there any conditions you want to attach to these gifts (for example, that young people must reach a particular age before they are paid money you have left them)?

You need to consider the details of your family and status. Are you divorced or has your civil partnership been dissolved? Have you remarried or entered into a new civil partnership? Or are you living with someone without being married to them or being their civil partner? Do you have any children or any other dependants? Anyone who depends on you financially can ask a court to review your will if they feel you have not provided properly for them.

If you have any children that may still be under 18 when you die, you may need to name someone as their legal guardian.

Do you have any particular wishes for your funeral? Do you want to be buried or cremated? Are there any other instructions? For example, if you want to be an organ donor this can be included in your will. However, it is also a good idea to record your wishes on the organ-donor register, or to carry an organ-donor card.

You must also name the people you want to appoint as 'executors' of your will, the people who carry out the administration of your will after your death. These could be friends or family members, or a professional such as your solicitor. A good combination may be a friend or family member and a professional. Ideally, you should choose someone who is familiar with financial matters. Make sure you ask your executors whether they are happy to take on this duty as there are long-term responsibilities involved, particularly if you include a trust in your will. Once the will has been drawn up it is not effective until it has been signed. There are several rules affecting the signature process which, if not followed correctly, will make your will invalid. For example, witnesses and their husbands, wives or civil partners cannot benefit under the will.

It is important to keep your will in a safe place and tell your executors or a close friend or relative where it is. People often ask their solicitor to store their wills for them. Most solicitors will do this for free, but sometimes there is a small fee.

You should review your will at least every five years and after any major life change such as getting separated, married or divorced, having a child or moving house. It is best to deal with any major changes by getting a new will drawn up. But it is also possible to make minor changes (or 'codicils') to your existing will.

For more information or to discuss anything in this article feel free to contact Doug McLean

For a List of Local Solicitors please follow this link:
Specialist Will Solicitors
 

Article Source: mcleanfinancialservices.co.uk/index.php/2008/07/17/making-a-will/
Photo Source: esmartproducts .co.uk/esm21/images/r.jpg