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Why make a will now?

It's easy to put off making a will. But if you die without one, your assets may be distributed according to the law rather than your wishes. This could mean that your partner receives less, or that the money goes to family members who may not need it.

We firmly believe wills should be created following a personal consultation to ensure all needs are met and fully implemented. A qualified and experienced specialist is vital to the process. It is only through an in-depth discussion that you can be assured that your Will is appropriate to all of your individual needs and circumstances and most effective in limiting taxes and unnecessary legal costs.

Do's and don'ts

Everyone knows what a Will is - most people agree that they need one but not everyone knows why they should make one without delay. Many assume, quite wrongly, that all their property will automatically pass to their spouse.

• If you don't make a Will

  then on your death you will have died intestate. This can be as painful as it sounds for your loved ones who may suffer financial hardship and distress at a time when they least need it, whilst your affairs are sorted out.



• If you do make a Will

  then the legal process in dealing with your affairs will be easier, and much less painful at a time when your loved ones will need all the help that they can get.



• If you don't make a Will

  then you will have no control over who will inherit what you own. On an intestacy who inherits what depends on which of your relatives is alive at your death and how large your estate is. Spouses may not receive everything and charities, friends and unmarried partners will definitely receive nothing.



• If you do make a Will

  then you can name the beneficiaries (including charities and friends if you so wish) and you will know with certainty who will inherit from your efforts.



• If you don't make a Will

  and you are a parent of young children then you will have no control over who looks after them should anything happen to you. In such circumstances, the courts will appoint someone on your behalf - someone that you may not have chosen.



• If you do make a Will

  then you can appoint guardians of your choice who will look after your children until they reach the age of eighteen.



• If you don't make a Will

  then your estate may have to pay a charge of inheritance tax.



• If you do make a Will

  you can distribute your assets in such a way that any Inheritance Tax charge is minimised or even removed altogether.



• If you don't make a Will

  then your family may have to employ professionals to sort out the mess that you leave behind. Their charges could mean that they become significant beneficiaries of your estate.



• If you do make a Will

  your family will have clear directions on how to deal with your affairs and may not need to employ (and pay) professionals.

Making a Will is not painful or life-threatening. It does not require you to list all your possessions.
It is never too early, but all too often left too late.