Why should you make a Will?

It’s important to understand what will happen to our estate if we die without a Will.

We probably all know that we should have a Will but the reality is that most of us don’t have one.

• Making a Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death. If you have not made, or do not have a valid Will, your property will pass according to the Law of Intestacy.

• This may not be what you would have wished. In any event it is likely to take longer to finalise than if you had made a Will.

• During this time your beneficiaries may not be able to draw any money from your estate and it can lead to arguments and distress for your relatives.

If you are single

• You might want your estate divided amongst friends, relatives and charities of your choosing and in the proportions you want.

If you are married

• Don’t assume “my other half will get everything”.

• Brothers, sisters or parents may have a claim. Often your children have a right to part of your estate.

• If you are living as a couple but not officially married, you may be treated as a single person and a surviving partner may get nothing at all.

If you are a parent

• You should consider who you would like to look after your children in the event of your death.

• This is particularly important in the case of single parent families or unmarried parents living together.

• A valid Will nominating guardians is invaluable in such cases. If no one knows what you would have wanted, the Court will decide on the future of your children, and it may not be what you or your children would have wished.

If you are retired

• Maybe you made a Will a long time ago. It probably needs updating to include additional grandchildren or deletion of persons you no longer feel you wish to leave anything to.

If you haven't made a Will

• Please contact me for advice.

• It is advisable that you review your Will every 2-5 years to take into account any changes in circumstances.

Guide to rates

Subject to your personal requirements I can offer a standard single will for the price of £175 and a mirror will (identical for your spouse/partner) for £75 (for appointments within the Plymouth area, please contact me directly if you are in another area).

If you require a more complex will that includes estate planning and guidance for trusts to be written in these are from £100 per unit (trust or estate planning), a mirror will remains at £75.

A Lasting Power of Attorney is charged at £145 plus the government set fee.