Drafting and updating wills

Making a Will may seem complicated and expensive, but in the majority of cases this is not the case.If you do not make a will the rules of intestacy will control the ultimate destination of your assets. This may lead to your spouse having to share your estate with relatives you have not seen for many years. If you are unmarried the intestacy rules will not recognise the relationship.

When preparing a Will you will be able to include:

• Executors – They have responsibility for dealing with your estate after your death. They will calculate the value of your estate, pay all your debts and then distribute the monies to the beneficiaries in accordance with the Will. They could act as Trustees for any Trusts you may create within your Will.
• Guardians – They are the people who take responsibility for the welfare of your children
• Legacies – You may wish to leave specific items or cash gifts to individuals or charities
• Residuary beneficiaries – These are the main beneficiaries under your Will
• Funeral wishes – You may have strong feelings about this, and your directions can be contained within the Will

Furthermore, a Will can maximise any tax advantages that are available, and our specialist team can provide you with advice in relation to this.

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