There are many reasons to make a Will: leaving possessions to friends and loved ones, making sure loved ones are properly provided for and leaving lasting gifts or legacies to a favourite charity.  However, a Will is particularly necessary when the law is likely to produce an outcome contrary to your wishes.  Some of these reasons include:
  1. Couples who live together but are not legally married or in a civil partnership but wish their partner to inherit some or all of their estate
  2. Couples who are legally married or in a civil partnership and have children and wish the spouse/civil partner to inherit all of the estate
  3. If you are legally married or in a civil partnership and want to ensure your children receive a larger share of the estate than under the current rules
  4. Individuals with no living relatives who wish to leave their estate to friends (the Crown may take an estate if a person dies leaving no Will and no surviving relatives)
  5. individuals who are legally married or in a civil partnership and don’t wish their spouse/civil partner to inherit anything
  6. People who are legally married or are in a civil partnership and have children from a previous relationship and who wish to ensure that those children receive something from the estate
  7. People who wish to provide for dependent relatives e.g.  minor children, elderly relatives or relatives with a disability who have special needs. When a Will is drawn up, you should appoint guardians to look after any children and set up trusts to provide for them
  8. If you’re divorced or if your civil partnership has been dissolved, you can decide whether to leave anything to an ex-partner
  9. To make arrangements for tax planning where the estate is large and may be liable for Inheritance Tax
  10. To leave a lasting gift or legacy to a charity

 

For further help with your will, to check it follows current law and your wishes contact Laura or Teresa, our Specialist Solicitors who would be happy to help on 01202 551863.