Wills

What is a Will?

A Will - often known as a Last Will or Last Will and Testament - is one of the most important documents that you will ever write, or be involved in writing.

The basic purpose of a Will is to outline the intentions of the writer with regard to their affairs after their death. These affairs are primarily financial, although a Will often covers other areas. The document will include several key elements, including the nomination of executors; an outline of the individual’s assets; a list of their dependants; a list of any debts the individual owes; a list of any debts which are owed to them; details of arrangements to be made for any children; and finally, the individual’s intentions with regard to the distribution of their estate.

Most common excuses for not having a Will:

• We assume that our partners will automatically receive all of our estate
• We think that we have nothing worthwhile to leave
• We expect it is too expensive to set one up
• We just haven’t gotten around to it!

Good reasons for having a Will:

• Ensure probate is granted as quickly as possible
• Ensure that a property is protected from being taken by the local authority to pay for the cost of care
• Ensure that children are not disinherited by the remarriage of a spouse (sideways disinheritance)
• Speed up the transfer of assets which otherwise could be in limbo for years
• Ensure that an unmarried father is granted custody of his natural children
• Ensure that your choice of Guardians will take care of your children rather than those appointed by the court
• Ensure that a business is maintained for beneficiaries rather than it being closed due to probate delays
• Ensure that an individual is excluded from your Will even if they would normally qualify as a beneficiary

Our service

Our Will Writing Service is provided in conjunction with Goodwills Ltd. Founded in 2001, Goodwills Ltd are a Will writing company with an ethical approach to the public and their estate planning needs and are one of the fastest growing Will writing organisations in the country.

One of our advisers will visit you in the comfort of your own home and your instructions will be carefully recorded. Your Will, together with any associated documents you require, will be professionally drafted by Goodwill Ltd. Your specially bound Will is then delivered to you for signing and witnessing.

We think you will agree the benefits of having a valid Will speak for themselves, so please contact us today to arrange a convenient appointment.

Note: Will and Trust advice is not regulated by the Financial Services Authority.