Why Make A Will?

The Law Society estimates that 70% of the UK adult population have not made a Will, despite the often modest cost involved.

We at Prime Wills feel that everyone who is old enough to do so should make a Will, whether it be through ourselves or another company. (Incidentally, anyone aged 18 or over can make a Will in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and in Scotland anyone aged 12 or over can make a Will.)

Understandably, no one likes to think about their own death. However, making a Will ensures your family won't have to spend months trying to sort out a complicated financial and legal situation if you die. There are compelling reasons why you should make a Will:

• In a Will, you can leave your property, money and other assets to the people you choose. Without a Will, the Government steps in and divides everything according to strict Rules of Intestacy. This may result in your family, friends or charities you wanted to benefit missing out altogether.
  
  
• If you aren't married to your partner, they could end up with nothing if you die without a Will. Legally they count only as a friend, not your next of kin.
  
  
• You can appoint Executors whose task is ensure your instructions in your Will are carried out.
  
  
• You can choose your children's guardian in your Will. Your children's future can be protected if you choose a legal guardian to be responsible for their upbringing in the event of your death. If you don't specify anyone, it will be left to surviving relatives to sort out who looks after them, and it may end up being someone you would not have chosen yourself.
  
  
• You can ensure your Will is Inheritance Tax-efficient. This is important as it will safeguard the money that goes to your family.
  
  
• In a Will you can ensure that part of your property is protected from being used to pay for care fees if you have to go into care and your partner has already died.  

A Will is one of the most important legal documents you will ever sign. It is not necessarily  expensive to make a Will, and we offer a free home visit with no obligation. The message is clear:

MAKE SURE  -  MAKE A WILL

You should especially consider making a Will, or amending your current Will, in the following circumstances:

1. Marriage/Civil Partnership - if you marry or register a civil partnership after having made your Will, the Will is automatically revoked unless made "in contemplation of" the specific marriage.
   
   
2. Divorce/Dissolution of Civil Partnership - if you divorce or dissolve your civil partnership after having made your Will (or your marriage is annulled or declared void) any appointment of your former spouse/partner as Executor will be automatically cancelled and any bequest to them will lapse.
   
   
3. Living together - if you decide to live with someone as a couple, your partner may not inherit anything if you die without having made a Will.
   
   
4. Registering a Civil Partnership - we have consultants who are up-to-date specialists in this area.
   
   
5. Change of Name - if you or anyone mentioned in your Will changes their name.
   
   
6. Change of Executor - if an Executor dies or becomes unwilling, unable or unsuitable to act.
   
   
7. Change of Bequest - if any specific bequest is sold or changes.
   
   
8. Inheritance Tax Liability - if your estate increases in value to the extent that your estate becomes liable to inheritance tax.
   
   
9. If you wish to revoke or amend any clause in your Will.
   
   
10. If you acquire assets in a foreign country or make or amend a foreign Will.