Will Writing Service

Why bothers making a will?

If you die without leaving a will and are …

… married with no children, parents, or siblings

• Your spouse is entitled to everything.

… married with children

• Your spouse is entitled to your car & household contents plus the first £125,000 of your assets plus a 'life interest' on half the balance. Your children (But not step-children) will receive the balance of your estate immediately.

… married no children but with parents or siblings

• Your spouse is entitled to your car & household contents plus the first £200,000 of your assets plus half the balance.
• Your parents or siblings receive the other half of your assets outright.

… single, widowed or divorced (not just separated)

• Everything goes to your children if you have any but, if not, then to your parents, or siblings (or their children), grandparents, uncles/aunts (or their children) in that order of priority.

You should also be aware that…

• If your bank & building society accounts are in your sole name, they will be frozen while 'Letters of Administration' are obtained.
• The courts, not you, will decide on the guardianship of your children (who may have to go into a foster home during the decision process).
• The proceeds of life assurance policies can be withheld where the policy is in a sole name and does not have a named beneficiary or hasn't been 'assigned' for mortgage purposes.
• A 'common-law' spouse/partner and stepchildren could get nothing as the law does not recognise their rights when you die.
• The average delay of distribution of an estate is 2 years, with a will it usually takes 6 weeks to 6 months.

Please click here to contact us regarding making a will.