Making a Will, planning your estate and getting it right
Death is the ultimate truth. It could come to anyone at any time. The sorrow it casts is always tough to handle. Losing loved ones, having to live without them is the most awful kind of change one could experience in life. Even though it is inevitable, many people still fail to plan for death.
Whilst many people assume their closest family will inherit their money and property when they die, if they don’t make a will, this isn’t always the case and we regularly see clients to help sort out problems left behind when no Will has been made.
If it is so important, why is it that the majority of adults in the UK have not made a Will? Some of the common misconceptions that we often hear:
1. “I don’t need to make a Will. Everything will go to my family if I die”.
Maybe – but the law will ultimately decide when there is no Will. The family could be left with nothing or with expensive legal costs in contesting how the estate is distributed. Without a Will there is simply no guarantee – unmarried couples and other dependents may not inherit where there is no will if their partner suddenly dies, even if they live together.
2. “I haven’t got time”.
In most cases it takes under an hour to discuss your circumstances, less time than it takes to make a roast dinner! Your family will thank you for it.
3. “I don’t have anything to leave to anyone”.
Everyone owns something, whether it is jewellery, furniture, money in the bank, a house (with or without a mortgage), a car or even a business perhaps. What about your online accounts and digital assets – what happens to these when you die? A Will can deal with all of this and make sure that the right people have access to, and receive, your assets.
4. “Using a solicitor is too expensive / I can’t afford it / I can get it cheaper somewhere else”.
• Many Will Writers charge more than solicitors to write your Will and don’t have the same qualifications or expertise;
• Homemade Wills are invalid if they are not signed and witnessed properly;
• An online Will won’t give you the same personalised, expert face-to-face advice that a solicitor can offer – there may be a better way to write your Will than you think. Using Clowes & Co. Solicitors to write your Will costs less than you think. There are also lots of ways you can write your Will for free. Ask about our free Will writing services.
We’re working with Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to provide a Free Will Writing Service, ensuring your loved ones are looked after as well as helping to save lives in your local community. Contact us for more information on 01782 444204 or contact us here.
Why choose us?
- Writing a Will without proper advice could mean that your estate is not distributed properly on your death and could lead to mistakes and the Will being invalid.
- We know the potential pitfalls, and will ask you all the right questions to make sure that you have considered every possibility.
- Our experienced team will use our experience to write your Will in a way that considers all your personal and financial circumstances.
- We will offer help and support to guide you through the process to ensure that you have properly provided for your loved ones on your death and make things easier for those left behind.
- Our friendly and approachable solicitors will make the process of writing your Will as simple as possible and explain it in terms that are easy to understand.
- We can also safely store your Will in our secure vault free of charge.
- We have a number of free Will writing services available meaning that you can plan your estate without any upfront cost.
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20-22 Leek Road, Stockton Brook, Stoke on Trent. ST9 9NN
Mon – Fri: 9.00 am – 5:00 pm
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