Everyone knows that they should have a Will, but you may be surprised to learn that over 70% of the adult population in the UK have not got around to making one. Even more surprising is that of the 30% that do have a Will in place this is often out of date, or will not achieve what they actually intended it to do.
What are the requirements to make a will? You have to be aged 18 or over; be 'of sound mind'; understand what is in your will; and be making the will voluntarily. For a will to be legally binding, when your will is complete, you need to sign it in the presence of two witnesses (who can’t benefit from your will), both of whom must add their own signatures. The correct wording and the correct signing and witnessing of the will are what is needed to make it fully legal. How much do you charge to create an Will? Pricing starts from only £240 per Will. Can I get a Mirror Will? Mirror Wills get their names from the wishes of one person’s Will reflecting another (typically that of their partner) but they are in fact two individual Wills, rather than one joint Will. We do Wills for couples. What kind of will shall I get? Our Will Writing team will draft a will that states what you would like to happen to your possessions when you die, names an executor(s), nominates guardians for your children if applicable, and specifies your funeral wishes. Our Will Writing service is suitable for all your Will Writing needs; if you own or part own a farm, own a business, have property overseas, if you want to set up a Trust, or where you have wishes that could be considered contentious. What is an executor and what do they do? Executors are either individuals or an organisation that you appoint within your will to deal with all aspects of your estate after you’ve passed away. After applying for legal authority to deal with your estate (known as probate), the executors will ensure that all your assets are accounted for and paid into your estate and after any debts and funeral expenses have been paid, they will ensure that the estate will be distributed in accordance with your will. What is a guardian and what do they do? If you die leaving children under the age of 18 and there is no other person living who has parental responsibility, you can choose who you would like to be their guardian in your will. The guardian(s) will be responsible for looking after your children as they grow up, having control over their welfare, health and schooling. What are witnesses and what do they do? Witnesses are people who see the act of signature and add their signatures and names to the Will to prove this. By law your Will needs two adult witnesses. The witnesses do not commit themselves to anything by adding their details; they are simply witnessing you signing the Will. How do I get witnesses during lockdown? We recommend both of your witnesses watch you sign your Will through a window, and you then pass the Will to them through the window/letterbox to watch them sign as witnesses, before they return it to you. The alternative is do it outside using a table and you all rotate around the table, keeping a safe distance from one another. It’s best that you each use your own pens and try and wear gloves and use hand sanitiser if possible. Where should I store my will? You can either store your will safely at home or you can pay for a will storage service, such as that provided by most will writing companies, other organisations such as the co-operative society, a solicitor or with the government’s Probate Service. Caution: Do not store your will in a bank safety deposit box, as the bank might not be able to release the contents of the safety deposit box without a grant of probate, and a will is required to apply for a grant of probate! What happens if I don't make a will? If you die without making a valid will (also known as dying ‘intestate’), your estate goes to your ‘next of kin’ which is usually your husband or wife, or if you are unmarried, your children. If you have no family members close enough to inherit, the government will keep everything. Without a will, your loved ones will have far more work to do after your death and it is highly likely that your possessions will not be distributed the way you would want. With no recognised document for the administration or distribution of your possessions, the government rules will stipulate who will inherit, and this typically results in negative tax consequences, heartache and lost time and money for your loved ones. Is it legally binding? Yes! Our Wills are 100% legal in England and Wales. Can I change my Will? Yes! You can create a new will to replace your old one at anytime. |
Bondzie | Consulting
SEO & Digital Marketing Agency
63-66 Hatton Gardens
5th Floor, Suite 23
London
EC1N 8LE
United Kingdom
© All rights reserved
