What is a will?

A very important legal document setting out what you want to happen to everything you own when you die. It sets out who will deal with what you own and who receives it. There are different types of wills from a basic will to more complex wills including trusts.

Why do I need a will?

Making a will is easy and it is the only way to ensure your wishes are carried out so that everything you own goes to who you want it to go to. Having a will also makes it easier, less stressful and quicker for your family and friends to sort things out when you die.

What happens if I don’t have a will?

Without a valid will, what you own will pass by law to family members in a specific order (spouse or civil partner, children, grandchildren, parents, brothers and sisters and so on). There may be someone in this list that you would not want to receive anything from you or there may be someone else who you want to get something, but won’t.

When does my will need updating? 

Your will should be reviewed every 3-5 years or on a major life event like moving home, the birth of a child, getting married or divorced or if someone named in your will dies.

Are you...

Single Person

Single?

Without a will you have no say who gets what you own. Your family will be given it in a specific order and your friends and favourite charity will miss out.

Living together

Living as a couple and not married?

Without a will your partner may get nothing. Your partner has no automatic right to inherit what you own.

narried

Married or in a civil partnership?

Without a will your spouse or civil partner may not get what you wanted them to. Don’t assume that the ‘other half’ gets everything.

separated

Separated?

Without a will your ex- spouse or ex-civil partner may get something when you did not want them to get anything.

divorced

Divorced or had a civil partnership dissolved?

Without an up to date will being made following divorce or dissolution of your civil partnership your will may not reflect your wishes.

parent

A parent?

Without a will you don’t decide who looks after your children if you are no longer here. Without a will, the Court will decide.

retired

Retired?

Without an up to date will your will may no longer reflect your wishes.

Ready to find out more?

Please get in touch for a telephone or video consultation or home visit to make your first will or have your current will updated. You can call us, email us or complete the form.