Is it Easy to Make a Will?
Monday, March 1st, 2010
Don t leave your wife and kids with additional costs and complications.
Individuals who die without an up to date will, or intestate, leave complications and costs to their beneficiaries and often gift lots of money to the Nation in what may be avoidable Inheritance Tax (IHT).
The Law Society says that anyone with possessions and family or friends should make a will, irrespective of their age. It is particularly important if you are not married to your partner, because the law does not give partners the same rights of inheritance as spouses.
Property that is owned jointly by unmarried partners on a joint tenancy basis would still go to automatically to the existing spouse under the rules of survivorship. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to property and assets that were not jointly held (although the Law Commission has lately suggested to change this).
Affecting a will is also vital if you have children, as you can propose guardians to look after them.
It is critical to make a list of assets and debts and their approximate worth. Include your house, investments, savings, insurance policies and pensions.
In addition, consider making single bequests. Simply telling a family member that an item will be his or hers one day could cause difficulty later.
You should receive professional advice on estate planning as part of writing your will. Simple steps could save the beneficiaries of more affluent householders thousands of pounds in taxation.
A vital element of making a will is the appointment of executors to ensure that your will instructions are carried out correctly.
You should also review your will every five years or so and whenever your circumstances are changed by a important life event, such as marriage, split up or a birth or death in the close family. Another example would be after a house purchase or move.
Whoever makes up your will, make sure one copy is kept safe or deposit 1 with a probate registry.
Consilium Asset Management offer inheritance tax planning advice in South Gloucestershire

