5 reasons for having a Will

We often find people can be unclear about the specific benefits of having a Will. As a result, they procrastinate and put off thinking about it. Here are five very good reasons for putting a Will in place that reflects your circumstances and wishes:

1. If you don’t make a Will then intestacy rules kick in to determine who benefits from the assets you leave behind when you die (your estate); this can produce undesirable results. Unmarried partners, step-children, friends or charitable organisations will receive nothing from your estate, unless you specifically include them in your Will.
2. Making a Will allows you to be in control; you can decide who will deal with your estate on your death, meaning you can chose a person that you trust and who you believe is the most suited for this task. 
3. If you have children under the age of 18, you can appoint guardians in your Will. The guardians will look after your children if you die while they are still under the age 18.  By making a Will you can ensure that you appoint individuals who share the same values as you do.
4. If you have a vulnerable or disabled beneficiary, you can make provisions in your Will to ensure that their inheritance is protected.
5. Having a Will drafted by a solicitor means that you will be advised on the availability of exemptions and reliefs from inheritance tax. 

Each Will we prepare is unique and is tailored to your individual circumstances. Our role is not only to prepare a valid Will document. We also draw on our specialist experience to explain the potential options you might not have realised were available to you. All this is particularly important when thinking about the division of your estate, appointing executors and guardians or considering the potential impact of inheritance tax rules.