Making a will?
Have you made a will?
Do you really need one? The simple answer is yes.
No one likes to think about it, but death is the one certainty in life. Making a will is easy to put off – it’s estimated that 60% of the population never get around to it – but if you die without one, your assets may be distributed according to the law, rather than your wishes.
In 2008, nearly one in five estates requiring probate did not have a will. So if you care about what happens to your property after you die you should make a will and review it regularly, particularly if your circumstances change – such as you marry, have children or get divorced. It is important to note that marriage invalidates any will made before marriage. And it’s particularly important to make a will if you aren’t married, or are not in a civil partnership – a legal arrangement that gives same-sex partners the same status as a married couple. This is because the law doesn’t automatically recognise cohabitants (partners who live together) as having the same rights as husbands, wives and civil partners. So, even if you’ve lived together for many years, your cohabitee may be left with nothing if you haven’t made a will.
Although it is possible to write a will without a solicitor’s help it’s unadvisable as there are legal formalities you need to follow to make sure your will is valid. Without expert advice there’s a real risk you could make a mistake, which may cause problems for your family and friends after your death.
To speak to a specialist wills and probate solicitor today call us on Freephone 0800 783 1453, or complete our no-obligation online enquiry form and we’ll call you back at a time that suits you.
