Wills and Estate planning

Why is it important to make a Will?

It is important for you to make a will whether or not you consider you have many possessions or much money. It is important to make a will because:

• A will makes it much easier for your loved ones to sort everything out when you die.
• unmarried partners and partners who have not registered a civil partnership cannot inherit from each other unless there is a will, so the death of one partner may create serious financial problems for the remaining partner.
• if you have children, you will need to make a will so that arrangements for the children can be made if either one or both parents die.
• it may be possible to reduce the amount of Inheritance tax payable if advice is taken in advance, and a will is made accordingly.
• if your circumstances have changed, it is important that you make a will to ensure that your money and possessions are distributed according to your wishes. For example, if you have separated and your ex-partner now lives with someone else, you may want to change your will. If you are married or enter into a registered civil partnership, this will make any previous will you have made invalid.

 What happens if you don't write a Will?

 If you don’t have a will when you die, your money, property and possessions ( the estate) will be shared out according to the Government's Law of Intestacy,  instead of your wishes. This can mean they pass to someone you hadn’t intended – or that someone you want to pass things on to ends up with nothing. 

By leaving a will that says clearly who should get your property and money when you die, you can prevent unnecessary distress at an already difficult time for your family or friends.

Some parents have had to sue their own children to get a share of their partner’s estate when their unmarried partner dies.

 This service is available to assist clients with more complex Estates to maximise the inheritance for their beneficiaries. 

Simply Lasting Powers of Attorney is supported by a team of award winning estate planning specialists with over 20 years experience, who are members of STEP (Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners), together with FCA regulated wealth management partners who are members of SOLLA (Society of Later Life Advisors).

All aspects of wealth management advice is available, offering expert and trustworthy advice that adapts to your individual needs.