Why Do I Need a Will?
March 3rd, 2010
Don t leave your wife and kids with additional expense and hassle.
People who pass away without an up to date will, or intestate, leave costs and worry to their families and often gift lots of money to the Country in what may be avoidable Inheritance Tax (IHT).
The Law Society says that anyone with possessions and family or friends should make a will, irrespective of their age. It is particularly important if you are not married to your partner, because the law does not give partners the same rights automatically of inheritance as spouses.
Property that is owned jointly by unmarried partners on a joint tenancy basis would still pass automatically to the existing partner under the rules of survivorship. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to property that were not jointly held (although the Law Commission has of late proposed to change this).
Constructing a will is also critical if you have minors, as you can propose guardians to care for them.
It is vital to create a list of assets and debts and their approximate values. Include your property, investment, nest egg, insurance policies and pensions.
In addition, consider details of single bequests. Simply informing a family member that an item will be his or hers one day could cause difficulty later.
You should get professional advice on IHT planning as part of writing your will. Easy measures could save the beneficiaries of more well-to-do homeowners thousands of £’s in taxation.
A key factor of constructing a will is the appointment of executors to make sure that your will wishes are carried out correctly.
You should also update your will every five years or so and whenever your situation are altered by a important life event, such as wedding, split up or a birth or death in the close family. Another instance would be after a house purchase or move.
Whoever constructs up your will, make sure at least 1 copy is kept safe or deposit 1 with a probate registry.
Consilium Asset Management LTD supply will writing services in Bristol











