What is a Will?
A Will is a legal document containing a set of instructions telling your Executors what to do with your assets/property when you die – the ‘what and to who’. It can also set out who you would like to look after your children.
Where do I go to make my Will?
I prefer to visit all my clients in their own homes or a place and time of their choosing – no trip into town and no impersonal office, . When not possible, I can discuss over Zoom, WhatsApp or something similar.
The only way to ensure your wishes are carried out after you die is to have a valid Will. It ensures the right things go to the right people, you decide who looks after your young children and you choose who sorts out your affairs after you’ve died. It can also help avoid family squabbles and in some circumstances, it can help reduce the amount of inheritance tax you might have to pay. Crucially, a Will guarantees that your estate (property, possessions and money) are distributed a lot more quickly and easily than without.
What happens if I die without a Will?
Dying without a Will means you are ‘intestate’ and there are strict laws in place which dictate who gets what and in what order. These laws move slowly. If you have a young family, dying intestate also means your young children’s welfare is more insecure as Social Services initially decide who your children live with.
Who can make a Will?
Anyone over the age of 18 who has mental capacity!
I live with someone but we’re not married or in a Civil Partnership, does this make any difference?
Yes. If you die without making a will, your partner will receive nothing unless it is already in joint name.
We’re a couple, should we make a joint Will or 2 separate wills?
It is usual practice to have 2 separate Wills called Mirror Wills. These contain the same major provisions except there may be some differences in specific gifts of personal possessions.
What’s all the legal jargon?
Executor – a person who is responsible for carrying out your wishes as stated in your Will and obtaining the Grant of Probate.
Beneficiary – someone who has been left something in your Will. A beneficiary can also act as an Executor.
Trustee – a person who is responsible for looking after certain assets on behalf of other beneficiaries (usually children or vulnerable adults). They are given special powers to make the financial and welfare decisions for the person they are responsible for.
Guardian – someone who you have appointed to look after your children if they are under 18.
Estate – everything that belongs to you at the time of your death.
Probate – the process where your Will is legally validated. Your Executor needs to obtain a Grant of Probate before they can distribute your estate according to your Will’s instructions.
How does a Will become valid?
Among other things, it has to be signed and dated by you in front of 2 independent Witnesses (who are not Beneficiaries or married to one) and who also sign and date. There are also conditions which must be met if the Testator is blind or can’t read or write.
Does marriage, re-marriage or divorce affect my existing will?
Yes. Previous Wills become invalid if you marry/re-marry. If you get divorced, your Will remains as is. This a key time to consider the needs of all families and any children from previous relationships.
Not as much as you might think. Valley Willwriting charges considerably less than many solicitors, particularly because its fees don’t include VAT.