Wills
Why should I make a Will?
If you die without a Will your money, property and possessions may not be
distributed as you would have wished. You may also need to consider the
arrangements for your children if they are under eighteen, who would look after
them. Unmarried partners and partners who have not registered a civil partnership
cannot inherit from each other unless there is a will. Making a will may also have
important tax benefits.
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When should I make a Will?
Certain changes in circumstances may make a previous Will void:
- Getting married
- Registering a civil partnership
- Getting divorced
- Dissolving a civil partnership
Other changes in circumstances may require an update to a Will:
- Birth of children
- Adoption of children
- Death of beneficiaries / trustees / executors
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How do I change my Will?
If there are major changes we will recommend a new Will to be made and, if in our
possession, we will ensure your old will is destroyed. However it is possible to make
minor changes to your Will through a Codicil which is a supplement to your Will.
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Do I have to change my will regularly?
No, but you should review it in line with your changing circumstances. We
recommend reviewing your Will every 3-5 years to make sure it still complies with
your wishes.
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Can't I just write one myself?
Mistakes and errors in homemade Wills are commonly made. This can cause
problems after your death to those who are administering your estate and these
mistakes can be costly. Common mistakes include not being aware of the formal
requirements to make a will legally valid and the failure to make sufficient
contingency plans should a beneficiary pre-decease you.
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My spouse/civil partner will get everything anyway,
so what is the point of a Will?
This is a common misconception, your spouse/civil partner does not automatically
inherit.
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Costs
The cost of a Will may vary depending on your particular needs. We will advise you
of the costs of drafting your Will after our initial consultation if the fees are likely to
be more than our standard fees. Our standard fees include two attendances with a
solicitor, one for instructions and one for the execution of your Will.
Our standard fee is £250 plus VAT for a single will and £350 plus VAT for a mirrored
Will.
Our Service to You
At Bramhall Solicitors we will meet with you to discuss your wishes to ensure we are
drafting your Will to your exact requirements. During this meeting, we will advise
you on all aspects of your Will from tax planning to the roles of the people you will
choose to appoint as your Executors and Trustees (if required).
We will send to you your draft Will for approval and ensure the proper execution of
the Will so that it forms a legally valid document.
We will also store your Will, at no extra cost, in our safe and provide you with a
copy if required.
