News

Many people make New Year’s resolutions and quite often getting one’s affairs in order is high on the priority list. Making a Will is a good way to start. Ensuring that the people you want to inherit your estate are named as beneficiaries in your Will is vital otherwise people who you may not want to benefit may do instead. Also, you can ensure that those causes or charities that you were passionate about during your lifetime, benefit after you have gone.

Writing a Will is an act of love. It shows people that you love and care for that you will protect their interests even when you are no longer around to love and care for them.

On average, between 10,000 and 11,000 people die in England and Wales every day¹. Research suggests that 3 in every 5 of them will have died without making a Will, and surprisingly that number includes one in every ten people over 75.

What happens if you die without having made a valid Will?

Legally you would have died “intestate”, and the government decides who gets your money. In these cases, strict intestacy rules apply determining how your estate (your assets, your money, and your possessions) will then be distributed. For example, if you are separated but not divorced, your estranged spouse or civil partner will be entitled to assets that you would have wanted to go to the loving “common law” partner that you may have lived with for the past 20 years. Stepchildren will also not be provided for.

Also, because the intestacy rules are so strict, dying without a Will, might force your spouse or partner to sell your home in order to pay somebody else their share of your estate. Or in extreme circumstances, everything might go to the government! Ugh!

Writing your Will is about taking back control and remembering the people and the things you care about.

Important reasons to make a Will?

• If you own property,
• If you are not married to, or in a civil partnership with the person you cohabit with
• If you are part of a blended family
• If you have young children
• If you have estranged family members
• If you own part of a business
• If you have a longstanding friend, a cause, charity or project that you would like to leave a gift to

Please contact our Wills, Probate & Trusts Solicitors Team or call us on 020 8363 4444 to discuss whether we can help you.