Writing your Will

Writing your Will

What to consider when preparing to write your Will

Will making involves working out what you own - your assets - and setting-out who will inherit them after you have passed away. Everything from your home, your cash and savings, your pension benefits, your car, people you want to leave gifts and possessions to, donations to charity and even your pets can be mentioned in your will. Finding a solicitor to help you prepare your will ensures that it is has been drafted legally and in accordance with your own particular set of personal circumstances. Based in Leicestershire, our will writing solicitors are qualified, offering assurance and certainty that your affairs are in order, whether you have a large or small family, whether you are young or old, whether you are ill or healthy, everybody should make a will.

Assets

  1. Draw up a list of your assets, including any joint assets, and consider who you want to inherit them.

  2. Speak to your partner about what their intentions are for their Will, as this may need to be reflected in your Will.

  3. If you wish to give a specific item such as a picture, piece of jewellery or furniture to a specific person, list these individually giving as much detail as you can.

  4. If you wish to give a legacy to a charity, consider whether you wish to donate a specific cash sum or item, or whether you wish to give a proportion of your estate.   

Dependent Children

  1. If you have minor children or are considering having children, you will need to consider appointing a Guardian in your Will.

  2. Discuss your choice of Guardian with your spouse or partner and with the person you wish to appoint.

  3. You will need to decide at what age children should inherit. Under intestacy laws, children inherit at the age of 18, but it may be appropriate to delay this until later.

Executors

It is advisable to have at least 2 executors. They might be a family members, a trusted friend or a professional person, such as a solicitor, and can be someone who you wish to be a beneficiary.

Cost

The cost to write your Will depends on your own particular circumstances. We will discuss your specific needs with you and advise you how much your Will (or joint Wills) would cost before we prepare your Will for you.

The cost to write your Will includes storage of your Will indefinitely and registration of your Will with Certainty, a national Will database, saving £30.00 per Will for registration.

Your Will may cost more if you need to include trusts or tax planning. We will let you know if this is the case at your initial appointment.

Reviewing your Will

Certain circumstances, such as marriage or divorce, can partially or fully invalidate a Will so it is a good idea to review your Will regularly to check it still reflects your wishes. Contact our solicitors in Leicester or Market Harborough and we can arrange a Will discussion and review.

Cohabitation

If you move in with a new partner, but do not marry or enter a civil partnership, you need to consider reflecting this in your Will as Intestacy laws will not recognise your new partner.  If you wish to make changes to your Will, speak to a solicitor as you may be able to simply add a Codicil and may not need to have a new Will drafted.

Divorce & Remarriage

You can protect the interests of your children in your Will to ensure that they still receive a share of your property by way of a Life Interest Trust.

Get in touch today. We want to help.

 

To make an initial enquiry and to discuss your needs in greater detail, please Contact us here and we will be in touch.

Call 0116 212 1000 for our Leicester Office or 01858 445 480 for our Market Harborough Office. Whichever office you call, someone will be available to assist you.


Further Useful Information: 

Web page - Wills and LPAs 

Article: Why Don't You Make a Will

Article:  Making Your Will During Coronavirus Lockdown

Downloadable resource:    Guide to Making A Will

Downloadable resource:    Guide to Making A Lasting Power of Attorney

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