Services for Individuals

WILLS, PROBATE AND TRUSTS

WHY MAKE A WILL?

If YOU want to decide who inherits your property; if you wish to appoint guardians to look after your children; if you would prefer to minimise your liability to inheritance tax; YOU need to make a Will.

Many people do not realise that if you do not make a Will your estate will be distributed as follows:

If you are married or in a registered civil partnership with children:

Your spouse/civil partner receives everything up to £250,000 plus personal possessions; for deaths after 1 February 2009.
Anything remaining is divided in two:

Half in trust to your children at 18.
Half in trust during your spouse's/civil partner's life and on your their death this half goes to the children.

If you are married or in a civil partnership without children

Your spouse/civil partner receives everything up to £450,000 plus personal possessions; for deaths after 1 February 2009.
Anything remaining is divided in two:

Half to your spouse/civil partner
Half to your parents (if no parent is living, then this half goes to your brothers and sisters or their children).

If you are widowed or single

Your estate will be divided among your children, parents, brothers and sisters or nephews and nieces.

The administration of an estate without a Will can be very expensive. It may be necessary to carry out extensive searches to trace your blood relatives. Do you want a distant relative you do not know, inheriting your estate? Making a Will can avoid this.

If you live with your partner but are not married or in a civil partnership, your partner will NOT receive anything under these rules. This is likely to cause severe financial hardship to your partner. The option available to your partner will be expensive court proceedings to apply for financial provision from your estate. YOU can avoid this by making a Will.

ESTATE PLANNING

When advising all clients in relation to their Wills, we consider whether Inheritance Tax will have an impact on their estate. Inheritance Tax is payable on the value of lifetime gifts and gifts on death.

Upon death Inheritance Tax is payable on estates over £325,000 (as from 6 April 2009 increasing to £350,000 6 April 2010). Will your estate be taxable? We can advise on ways to reduce the overall burden of tax on your estate and on the tax consequences of lifetime gifts.

A Will is an important document. For this reason, whilst we are happy to take instructions for a Will in writing, we do ask that all clients attend at one of our offices, or that a home visit is arranged, for the purpose of signing their Wills. Most clients find that a meeting to discuss their requirements is beneficial to them.

To assist with the gathering of information at an initial meeting to discuss your Will or if you wish to give instructions in writing, please print off and complete the Will Questionnaire via the link to the right of this page

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