1. Wills

It is essential for you to consider making a will to ensure that your estate passes to those who you wish to benefit from it. A will keeps you in control of your financial affairs after your death and further, can save your dependants from various problems to include tax issues. Further, if you wish to pass on specific gifts, for example a gift to a charity, cash gifts to a friend or a piece of jewelery to a specific child, you are able to do so in your will.

If you do not make a Will, you will die intestate and your estate will pass under the intestacy rules which means it will pass to certain members of your family in accordance with the rules set out in the Administration of Estate Act 1925. For example, under this Act your spouse will not necessarily inherit your whole estate as the Act only gives them a specific sum with the rest of your estate going to other members of your family. Also, this will mean that particular gifts you may have wanted to give to your friends, family and/or to charities will not be considered.

If you are not married, but living with someone then even if you have lived together for a number of years as common law husband and wife, the survivor will not necessarily inherit any of your estate as they are not legally part of your family.

People often put off making a will, thinking that this can be done some time later. However this can create problems, for example if you are involved in a serious accident you may not legally have the mental capacity to make a will. We at Courtyard Solicitors LLP understand that this can be a very sensitive issue but with our experience, we will be able to guide you through this and offer both legal and practical advice as to the best way of ensuring that your estate is dealt with in the way you want it to be dealt with. Also, making a will does give you the opportunity to utilise your tax allowances and we will be able to liaise with your accountants so that there are appropriate provisions contained in your will.

We are also able to retain your will for safekeeping without charge if you wish.