Why You Need a Will (and Why You Need a Wills and Probate Solicitor to Help You With It)

No one likes to think about dying, but it’s a fact of life and it will come to us all in the end. When your time comes, having a will ensures that your property, possessions and money pass onto the people you want them to. A will gives you the peace of mind that those you care about will be taken care of, and that your estate will be divided how you want it to be.

What should be in your will?

Your will should cover a wide range of issues, not just who gets what from your estate. This is where you need the help of a professional wills and probate solicitor to make sure you have covered everything. Your will should include:

• How you want your estate to be divided and who you want to benefit
• Who should receive specific items, such as valuables or family heirlooms
• Who you want to look after your children or other dependants
• What happens to your pets or other animals
• What happens if any of the named beneficiaries die before you
• Whether you want to leave money to a charity
• Who you want to trust to carrying out your wishes (your executor)

Why you need a wills and probate solicitor

“You can write your own will, but as an experienced wills and probate solicitor, Holdens Law will work with you to ensure that you have included everything you need to,” says Jennifer Larton one of our wills and probate experts.

“Simple mistakes in DIY wills are common and they can invalidate the document. Holdens Law will make sure that your wishes are worded and witnessed in a way that makes them legally binding. This could prevent the stress of family feuds and the expense of lengthy legal battles in the future.”

Using a wills and probate solicitor is advisable for even simple wills, and it’s essential for more complex cases, such as when you have children from other marriages, or you share a property with someone who is not your spouse. A wills and probate solicitor could also help you to reduce the inheritance tax payable on your estate.

What happens if you don’t have a will?

If you don’t have a will, then your estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy. This usually means that your spouse or your children will get a fair share, and this may well be what you would’ve wanted anyway.

However, without a will, it can take much longer for your loved ones to access their inheritance, and there can often be disputes between family members, and between other interested parties, if they feel that the rules have treated them unfairly. By writing a will, you know that your wishes are clearly laid out from the start so that there’s no room for disputes or misunderstandings.

If you’re in a relationship with someone who is not your spouse or civil partner, they, and any children that you have together, will not automatically inherit if you die without a will. This could cause serious financial difficulties and may even leave them homeless. Similarly, friends, carers and others, who you might feel deserve to inherit, will have no claim on your estate if you don’t set out their inheritance in a will.

Friendly advice on a sensitive subject

At Holdens Law, we understand how sensitive, and often complex, making a will can be. That’s why we have a dedicated team of experienced wills and probate solicitors on hand to help with friendly, expert advice.

To find out more about formalising your wishes and protecting your loved ones by making a will, get in touch with our team today on 01524 32484 or complete our contact form online and we’ll be in touch.