Our expert wills & trust solicitors can advise you on all aspects of making a will, from the preparation of wills to trusts and tax planning in order to protect the inheritance of your family, now and in the future.

Have you made a Will?

• 84% of people aged 25-34 do not have an up-to-date Will!
• 22% of people over 65 did not know if they have an up-to-date Will!
• 42% of those widowed, divorced or separated did not know if they have an up-to-date Will!

(Research by Law Society of England and Wales)

What happens if you do not have a Will?

If you do not have a valid Will, the law dictates what happens to your estate:-

If you have no spouse or direct blood relatives your estate will go to the government.

If you live with your partner, but are not married or have not formed a civil partnership, your partner will not receive anything unless they pursue a claim against your estate through the courts, which can be an expensive, lengthy and heartbreaking process.

Even if you are married or are in a civil partnership, your spouse/civil partner will not always receive all of your assets; depending on the value of your estate they may have to share your estate with your children or if you have no children, your parents or brothers/sisters.

You have worked hard to obtain your assets, you have the right to choose who they go to when you die. If you do not make a Will, this can cause confusion, anxiety and heartache for your family at a time when they are grieving.

Why should you make a Will?

You can:-

• Choose who your property, financial assets or belongings pass to when you die;
• Ensure that friends, charities or your partner will receive part or all of your estate;
• Appoint guardians for children under 18; otherwise you are placing the vital decision of who will be responsible for the care of your children in the hands of Social Services and the Courts;
• Ensure that minor children or disabled dependents are provided for;
• Choose the age at which you would like your children to inherit, whether that is 18, 21 or 25. If there is no Will they will automatically inherit on reaching 18;
• Choose your executors who will deal with your estate, and your trustees who will look after the money for your children;
• Provide for step-children, grandchildren or dependents;
• Provide for your business to be managed following your death;
• Provide for your pets;
• Choose your funeral arrangements;
• Plan to minimise inheritance tax payable on your death;
• Give you and your family peace of mind knowing that matters are in order.

When should you review your Will?

It is recommended that you review the contents of your Will regularly to ensure that it is still relevant to your circumstances. Changes that may mean your Will needs to be amended include:-

• Buying a house or a second home;
• Marriage/civil partnership or co-habiting;
• Separation/divorce/dissolution of civil partnership;
• Having/adopting children;
• Starting a business;
• Inheriting from someone else;
• Death of someone mentioned in your Will;
• Anyone becoming financially dependent upon you, for example, a family member coming to live with you.

How much will it cost to make a Will?

This depends upon the complexity of your affairs and the level of advice needed. However, the cost of a Will is a small price to pay to ensure that your wishes are carried out.

Wilkin Chapman LLP are well known in the community and have strong links with many nursing and residential homes. Our personal service, which includes home and hospital visits, enables us to get to know and understand each individual client's needs.

Recommendations

"Wilkin Chapman's experience includes some significant outcomes against company pension trustees and HMRC" - Legal 500 2010

"Wilkin Chapman's recent cases include a successful appeal against the pension trustees of GlaxoSmithKline for a habitee, to the settlement of the £1m estate of an intestate with five aliases" - Legal 500 2009