Free online Will Information Service
As the saying goes, the only certainty in life is death. When the inevitable happens, financial complications can often add unnecessary trauma for the people you care about. Whilst we recognise it is difficult thinking, talking and planning for death, it needs to be considered how much more difficult things could be for your loved ones had you not been prepared. Even if you’re in perfect health, making a Will is the most important preparation any of us can make and they don’t have to cost a fortune.
Currently, Will writing isn’t regulated and a lot of Wills are completed incorrectly due to it being easy to make a mistake as they have been ‘template based’. Even the lower end of Will writers out there will use templates and not pay attention to detail that will make all the difference when it comes down to it.
Wills Direct is here to advise you on the pros and cons. We don’t charge for this service.
Why do I need to write a Will?
Only three out of 10 people in the UK have a Will, yet a Will is of incredible importance especially when you have assets such as property, vehicles, jewellery or even savings however large or small. Your Will ensures that what you have goes to the people you want it to go to.
There are strict rules in place in England, Wales and Northern Ireland regarding where your assets will go if you’re Will-less. If you die without making a Will (known as intestacy) your assets could be distributed in ways which you may not expect, especially if you're unmarried. If you have a partner and you aren’t married or in a civil partnership, your partner will not inherit anything automatically.
Crucially, a Will ensures that who you care about the most- family, friends, pets, or even a business- are provided for, which can help avoid painful family conflict through the provision of guidance on financial matters.
You should consider writing a Will for the following reasons:
Children- If you have children or step-children under the age of 18, you will need to consider and select who will take care of them and ensure you have the financial backing in place to assist in their care.
Divorced- Wills may be amended to include what happens to your assets if a previous spouse remarries.
Funeral plans- Funerals can be expensive, and you want to make sure the finances are in place to cover the costs. If you have any specific funeral plans, these may be included so that your family needn’t make the decisions.
Change in circumstances- Your Will should be updated pending marriage, the birth or children, divorce, or any other significant circumstances or important decisions you may have reconsidered.
Unmarried couples- Legally unmarried partners are not recognised in the same capacity as a spouse. Therefore, if you die intestate, there will be no automatic distribution of any finances to your partner.
Pets- Considerations should be made for what will happen to pets, especially if you live alone.
Property- 'Joint tenant' mortgages automatically pass to the co-owner. For a 'Tenants in common' mortgage, it's important to say what you wish to happen to your share of the house. Overseas, inheritance laws may be different to the UK, so if you have a house abroad consider what will happen with it.
Small business- If you are a sole director and do not appoint an executor, decisions to authorise payments cannot be made and your business may collapse.