"For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today."
African proverb
Legal specialist in providing Later Life estate planning solutions and advising vulnerable clients.
Services
Making a Will
How will you ensure that your hard-earned wealth passes to your loved ones?
If you want to ensure that you are in control of where your assets go upon your death, then arrange a professionally written will. This is by far the most secure way to ensure your money, property and possessions are inherited by your loved ones. If you don’t take this step, your estate will be subject to the rules of intestacy. In other words, the law will decide what happens to your assets.
Your will and testamentary freedom
Your right to distribute your estate in accordance with your wishes is known as 'testamentary freedom'. A legally valid will is one which sets out your wishes in clear, unambiguous terms. By choosing to have a professionally written will, you have the best chance of achieving your testamentary intentions.
The danger of DIY wills
Buying and completing a DIY will set is risky because you might not have executed it correctly in terms of the law. For example, a will has to be signed in the presence of two independent witnesses, something that is often challenged by barristers when there is a will dispute.
If mistakes have been made in making your will, it will be left to your loved ones to deal with the consequences. One common impact of an incorrectly executed will is 'sideways disinheritance'. This is where beneficiaries (e.g., your children) do not get the share of your estate you intended for them. This can happen if a lonely surviving spouse takes another partner.
For more examples of the dangers of DIY wills, I recommend you request a copy of my free Guide to Wills.
Appointing the right executor
The executor of your will can be exposed to unnecessarily incurred costs and liabilities that can affect the value of your inheritance. Penalties for late filing of taxes, missing out on tax relief and fighting legal claims from unhappy beneficiaries are just some of the consequences lay executors can struggle with.
While preparing your will, I can help you to choose the most appropriate executors, giving you the peace of mind that your affairs will be dealt with professionally.
Inheritance Tax efficient will planning
Don't risk paying more Inheritance Tax than you should. I will help you to legally minimise your tax bill, exploring all estate planning options available to you.
Empathic and thorough will preparation
I combine a caring and empathic approach with thorough and detailed preparation work to ensure I understand your wishes and fully represent them in your will.
Professionally registered and insured
I am a Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner and Will Writer, so you can rely on me to prepare your professionally written will. All of my work is insured.
What happens if you do not have a valid will in place when you die?
If you die without a will, or your will is deemed void due to errors or a change of circumstance (for example, your chosen beneficiaries predecease you), the fate of your estate will be decided by Laws of Intestacy. These favour spouses, civil partners and direct descendants. Anyone who does not automatically inherit (e.g., an unmarried partner) will have to make a legal claim against your estate. If you have no surviving relatives, the government will inherit your estate.
Laws of Intestacy take no account of the wishes of the deceased or the circumstances of surviving family members. Do you want to be in control of who inherits your assets? Let me provide you with a professionally written will.