There is no such thing as a standard Will or trust – everyone’s circumstances are different and your Will should reflect that.
WILLS
Wills can be tailor-made to whether you are single, married/Civil Partnership or co-habiting. Consideration such as provision for children, step-children or grandchildren, disabled or vulnerable dependents, care of elderly relatives, guardianship of under 18’s, ownership of the house, etc., are all taken into account when drawing up a Will.
These can either be Single Wills or a pair of Mirror Wills (2 Wills drafted as a “matched pair” for couples) all with or without trusts and guardianship clauses.
WILL TRUSTS
A trust is a simple arrangement in a Will to ensure your assets (usually money and property) are looked after properly after your death. A trust is created where you entrust your assets to responsible people of your choosing (the Trustees) for the benefit of someone (usually children or vulnerable adults).
Life Interest Will Trust – A trust drafted into a Will that passes money to named beneficiaries but allows someone to take the income from the money while they need to.
Home Protection Trust / Occupational Will Trust – A trust drafted into a Will that passes property to named beneficiaries but allows someone-else to occupy the property while they need to.
Discretionary Will Trust – A trust drafted into a Will that allows trustees to decide who of a group of beneficiaries can inherit, when and by how much.
LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives a person of your choice the legal authority to look after your financial affairs and/or health and care should you lose the mental capacity to do so.
An LPA is not just for older people – it’s a hard thing to contemplate, but younger people may become incapacitated through serious accident or illness and without an LPA in place, no-one is legally allowed to make decisions on your behalf. Also, if you spend long periods of time abroad, you may wish to appoint an attorney to oversee and manage your financial affairs at home. Read more.
OTHER SERVICES
Reviews of your Will
It’s important to update your Will to reflect your changing circumstances. Wills which have been previously prepared by Valley Willwriting can be updated.
Severance of a Joint Tenancy
Changes joint ownership of property into ‘Tenants in Common’ which enables the owners to pass their share of property in their Will to someone else.
Letter of Wishes
This is a separate document which can sit alongside your will where you set out a little more information and guidance for those you’ve chosen as Executors, Trustees or Guardians.
Advance Decisions (or Living Wills)
An Advance Decisions gives you the option of deciding in advance whether you would want to refuse life-sustaining treatment if you were faced with a certain set of medical circumstances. It would mean that relatives and doctors would not be able to make the decision for you.
Will storage
As a legal document, your Will should be stored securely to prevent damage, loss, theft or tampering. Valley Willwriting can explore with you the many options for how your Will can be stored and accessed.