Wills & Probate:

Why make a will?

If you don't make a will then......
- Your estate would be distributed according to strict rules based onlegal and blood relationships and take no account of whether the relative(s) are known to you or are estranged from you.
- Your spouse may not receive the whole of your estate.
- Your unmarried partner will not inherit any part of your estate.
- If you are separated but not divorced your spouse will still be regarded as your next of kin.
- No provision can be made for friends or charities .
- The persons you would wish to administer your estate might not be entitled to do so.
- Inheritance Tax may be unnecessarily payable out of your estate.

If you do make a will then....
- You decide how your family, friends and any charities should benefit.
- You can appoint guardians for your children and trustees to look after their inheritance until they are of age.
- You appoint whom you wish as executors to administer the estate.
- You decide your funeral arrangements.
- You may be able to reduce the tax payable on your death.

A Will is particularly important...
- To provide for young children.
- To provide for elderly or disabled beneficiaries.
- If you are separated or divorced.
- If you have remarried.
- If you have an unmarried partner.

Why use a solicitor?
Don't take chances with a DIY Will. Many home-made wills are defective and the costs and time dealing with the mistake are often much greater than the cost of a professionally written will.
Fidler & Pepper are experienced in preparing Wills to cover all circumstances from simple wills with one beneficiary to complex wills designed to minimise tax or set up trusts.

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