Why Do I Need a Will?
Don t leave your wife and kids with extra costs and complications.
Individuals who pass away without an up to date will, or intestate, result in costs and complications to their beneficiaries and often gift lots of money to the State in what may be avoidable Inheritance Tax (IHT).
The Law Society says that anyone with assets and family or friends should make a will, regardless of their age. It is specially 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 jointly owned by unmarried partners on a joint tenancy basis would still go to automatically to the surviving partner under the rules of survivorship. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to assets or property that were not jointly owned (although the Law Commission has lately proposed to change this).
Affecting a will is also vital if you have minors, as you can propose guardians to care for them.
It is essential to create a list of investments, property and debts and their approximate worth. Include your property, investment, savings, insurance policies and pension.
In addition, consider making personal bequests. Just telling a relative that an item will be his or hers one day could cause difficulty later.
You should take professional advice on estate planning as part of writing your will. Easy measures could save the beneficiaries of more well-off householders thousands of pounds in tax.
A vital factor of affecting a will is the naming of executors to ensure that your will instructions are carried out correctly.
You should also update your will every few years or so and whenever your situation are altered by a substantial life event, such as wedding, split up or a birth or death in the close family. Another example would be after a house purchase or move.
Whoever draws up your will, make sure one copy is kept safe or deposit 1 with a probate registry.
Consilium Asset Management Limited provides inheritance tax planning advice in Gloucestershire