Are you getting married in 2018?

Posted on 05 Apr 2018

Dress; church; venue; suits; flowers; invitations….. the list seems endless.  All of these things are important and will help make your day the best of your life! However, also on that list should be whether you have put formal affairs in order; such as making a Will.

Statistics suggest that two thirds of the UK adult population have no Will, despite the fact that more than three quarters of adults plan on leaving money to their loved ones.

Many of those planning on leaving money to loved ones believe that the money will automatically go the people they wish, but unfortunately that is not the case.

To ensure that your assets go to the people you wish you are advised to make a Will.

Without a Will, your assets will pass in accordance with the rules of intestacy – complex rules that dictate which family members can inherit.  Even though there have been some recent changes to these rules; alarmingly, if you are not married to your partner, they will not automatically inherit any of your assets. A relative that you do not like, or have never met, could inherit your assets instead.

Making a Will also gives you the opportunity to make provision for who should look after your children and pets, state your funeral wishes and make individual specific gifts to friends and charities.  It also gives you the opportunity to ensure that your estate is looked after by those you trust, by specifying an Executor.

In short, to ensure that your assets are looked after by the person you would choose and are distributed to those you should make a Will.

Furthermore, it is vital to ensure that your Will is as watertight as possible and that it is legally valid.  You are therefore advised to visit a solicitor to ensure that it is prepared and executed in the correct manner.

Therefore, in order to reduce any heartache and hassle for loved ones after your death, please contact Rebecca Robinson …

Rebecca Robinson
Solicitor, Private Client Team
Tel:  01829 701840
Email: rebeccar@swaynejohnson.com

Areas of expertise

Private Clients including Wills, Powers of Attorney and Estate Administration. She is an Associate Member of the Society for Trust and Estates Practitioners (STEP).