Wills

Making a Will and keeping it up to date is the best way to ensure your family and dependents experience the minimum of problems in the event of your death.

Only by making a Will can you be confident your estate passes to those you want to benefit such as your family and friends. If you have children under eighteen, the appointment of guardians to care for them is also essential.

Andrew Robertson and Simon Finn are Mencap's Wills and Trusts Service's recommended solicitors to parents and carers of children with a learning disability, and are able to offer advice to parents and carers who are considering making their wills to plan for the future of their vulnerable child. For more information about Mencap's Wills and Trusts Service, please take a look at: www.mencap.org.uk/willsandtrusts

Also, consider whether there are any special items you would want particular people to have. If you have special wishes about a burial or cremation your will is the safest way of recording them.

A will is a key element in financial and tax planning. Arranging your affairs properly in your will can substantially mitigate your Inheritance Tax liability and so ease the burden to your family.

If you own your own business a will can ensure a smooth transition of its ownership or sale after your death - vital in ensuring its continued success in the hands of its successors.

Regular review of your will is essential if it is to properly take account of and address all the issues relevant to your estate.

In particular it should be reviewed if:-

You become a parent or grandparent
You move house
You retire
You receive an inheritance
You lose a family member

In addition there can be changes of which you may be unaware such as Inheritance Tax rules.

Click on the download link to the right to obtain a copy of our preliminary Will Instruction Form. The form asks all the basic questions for a simple will. Fill the form in and bring it with you to your interview, when you have arranged one.

Discretionary Trust Wills Update