Nobody likes to think about death. For many people, making a will is something that is "on the back burner" or something to do "another day". While this is perfectly understandable, NOT having a will can lead to a great deal of trouble and confusion for your loved ones in the event of your death.
Getting a legal document written up and witnessed is a relatively quick and easy task.
If you live in England or Wales, your belongings (estate) can only be divided according to your wished if you have a legally-binding, witnessed will in place. Otherwise, your estate will be divided according to English & Welsh Law (which can throw up some nasty surprises)
Making a will is the only way to ensure that your estate is divided among your loved ones as YOU wish, in the event of your death.
Here are the five top reasons to make a will:
1. Having a will in place removes any uncertainty about what will happen with your belongings when you die. It gives you the power to decide where your possessions go.
2. If you die when you are separated but not divorced from a legally-recognised partner, they are still the first in line to inherit your belongings. This can be particularly painful if they are living with a new partner and/or have started a new family without you. By making your own will, you decide who inherits your belongings when you have passed away.
3. If you are not in a legally-recongnised marriage or civil partnership, your partner is not automatically provided for by the law of England and Wales. Surviving blood relatives come first in the pecking order.
4. If you die intestate (ie. without a legal will in place), any non-married partner's only course of action is to claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. This can be a difficult and slow process at a time when your partner could be left with a reduced income.
5. If you die without a will and no living relatives can be traced, your estate will end up with the tax man!
Making a will and keeping it up to date is relatively quick and easy (in the context of a lifetime) and offers you peace of mind. Online wills are a quick and easy way to produce a legally-binding document at your convenience
Getting a legal document written up and witnessed is a relatively quick and easy task.
If you live in England or Wales, your belongings (estate) can only be divided according to your wished if you have a legally-binding, witnessed will in place. Otherwise, your estate will be divided according to English & Welsh Law (which can throw up some nasty surprises)
Making a will is the only way to ensure that your estate is divided among your loved ones as YOU wish, in the event of your death.
Here are the five top reasons to make a will:
1. Having a will in place removes any uncertainty about what will happen with your belongings when you die. It gives you the power to decide where your possessions go.
2. If you die when you are separated but not divorced from a legally-recognised partner, they are still the first in line to inherit your belongings. This can be particularly painful if they are living with a new partner and/or have started a new family without you. By making your own will, you decide who inherits your belongings when you have passed away.
3. If you are not in a legally-recongnised marriage or civil partnership, your partner is not automatically provided for by the law of England and Wales. Surviving blood relatives come first in the pecking order.
4. If you die intestate (ie. without a legal will in place), any non-married partner's only course of action is to claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. This can be a difficult and slow process at a time when your partner could be left with a reduced income.
5. If you die without a will and no living relatives can be traced, your estate will end up with the tax man!
Making a will and keeping it up to date is relatively quick and easy (in the context of a lifetime) and offers you peace of mind. Online wills are a quick and easy way to produce a legally-binding document at your convenience