WILLS AND
LIVING WILLS
The importance of making a Will
Will Writing Services
Writing a Will is essential to ensure your hard-earned wealth is distributed according to your wishes, protecting your loved ones from unnecessary stress, uncertainty, and potential financial loss.
Planning your estate is not just about distributing assets; it’s about creating a legacy that reflects your values and priorities, ensuring that your loved ones are cared for in the way you envision.
Without a Will, the State decides how your assets are allocated, which may not align with your intentions.
A Will also allows you to appoint Guardians for your children, safeguarding their future. By planning ahead, you take control of your estate, provide peace of mind, and make a lasting difference for those who matter most to you.
What wills are available?
Make sure your wealth is distributed according to your wishes after your death.
No matter what the future holds, it’s essential to ensure your children or chosen beneficiaries inherit the wealth you’ve worked hard to build. Without professional advice, your money could end up in the wrong hands or be lost entirely.
Single and Mirror Wills
If you pass away without a Will (intestate), the State will decide how your wealth is distributed. This could leave your loved ones in a stressful, uncertain, and costly situation during an already difficult time.
Creating a Will, protecting your assets, and, if necessary, setting up a trust are some of the most important steps you can take. By organising your affairs and safeguarding your wealth, you can make a meaningful difference for the people who matter most to you.
There are many risks to personal wealth and the family home. Complex or strained family relationships can pose significant challenges. Ignoring these issues now could lead to worse outcomes later. By addressing them early, you remain in control of how your wealth is distributed and gain peace of mind knowing you’ve done your best for your loved ones.
Living Wills
If you should go into hospital for an operation, prior to being taken down to the theatre you are always advised of your rights, if something should go wrong.
Often a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ clause is agreed, as patients are concerned about the effects of being ‘kept alive’ might have on their family, especially if it meant the estate was frozen, because they were in a continued state of ‘limbo’.
If you should go into hospital for an operation, prior to being taken down to the theatre you are always advised of your rights, if something should go wrong.
Often a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ clause is agreed, as patients are concerned about the effects of being ‘kept alive’ might have on their family, especially if it meant the estate was frozen, because they were in a continued state of ‘limbo’.
The ‘Living Will’ is becoming very popular and can be arranged for the total inclusive cost of up to £35.00 for a single directive, or £55.00 for a double directive.
This can be done at the same time as other Estate Planning instructions.
Guardianship for Children
A Will is the only way to appoint Guardians for your children if you pass away before they turn 18. Without a Will, the Courts will decide who becomes their Guardian.
If you are an unmarried father, you won’t automatically become the Guardian of your children if their mother dies. To ensure this, you must either be named as their Guardian in the mother’s Will or apply for Parental Responsibility through your local County Court.
Will for Life Scheme
Our estate planning services are offered at a fixed price, with no additional costs except for fees payable directly to the Office of Public Guardian* and Land Registry**, if applicable.
If you wish to amend your Will or any other document in the future, this can be done for a small documentation fee. Currently, the cost to re-draft and print your Will starts from just £75 + VAT. This fee also applies if you damage, lose, or wish to update your documents after they’ve been finalised and issued to you.
Any additional costs will always be confirmed before we begin any work.
*Fee to register Lasting Power of Attorneys with the Office of Public Guardian
**Fee to register a Settlement with the Land Registry
What happens if I die without a Will?
If you pass away without a Will (intestate), the State will decide how your wealth is distributed. This could leave your loved ones in a stressful, uncertain, and costly situation during an already difficult time.
What Will should I choose?
Single Will – Wills for individuals
A single Will is designed for one person to appoint their choice of trusted individuals to act as executors of their estate. This will also allow you to give specific gifts and nominate who will benefit from your estate.
Critically, a single Will allows the appointment of guardians for minor children giving peace of mind for future care.
Mirror Wills – Wills for couples
A mirror Will is designed for couples, whether married, unmarried or civil partners, who have similar wishes for the distribution of their estates. A mirror Will allows for the appointment of executors, making gifts of items or sums of money and the distribution of the remainder of an individual’s estate following payment of debts. A mirror Will can also contain provision for the appointment of guardians allowing couples to nominate those they feel best suited to care for their children.
Challenging a Will
Challenging a Will means legally disputing its validity or fairness, often due to reasons like lack of mental capacity, undue influence, fraud, improper signing, or insufficient provision under the Inheritance Act.
The process typically begins with legal advice and filing a caveat at the Probate Registry to pause distribution. Claims should be made quickly, ideally before probate is granted. Strong evidence, such as medical records or witness statements, is needed to prove issues like the testator not understanding the Will or being pressured into making it.
EXPERTS IN OUR FIELD
WHY CHOOSE US TO WRITE YOUR WILL
We offer a range of regular and specialist Wills and accompanying services for all your needs.