Current statistics suggest that only 70% of people living in the United Kingdom have made a will.  Making a will ensures that life is easier for your family and friends once you have passed away – a time when life needs to be as easy as possible.

Making a will is vital for just some of the following reasons:

• To make sure the people you wish to inherit your estate are the right ones.

• To make sure that the intestacy rules do not determine how your family inherit your estate

• To make sure that the items of special value or meaning to you will be given to those you want to  
receive them

• To appoint guardians of infant children

• To create a trust to protect a vulnerable beneficiary due to their special circumstances or needs

• To save inheritance tax on the death of the first spouse/civil partner to die

• To maximise business property relief and agricultural relief

• To make charitable gifts

Making a will is a personal matter and the will is a document which you sign and which will always remain an expression of your wishes in the future relating to the distribution of your estate.

In many cases the language of a will is very technical.  We explain our wills fully to ensure that our clients completely understand the terms of their will and balance the personal way in which you would like to express your wishes with the requirement for legal terminology.

Your will should be made in a way which you feel comfortable with. This may be at your home rather than at our office, with members of your family, by email, or individually if you and your partner/spouse wish to give independent instructions.

Your will has an effect on many different situations and therefore requires a lot of thought. It can have an effect on your beneficiary’s liability for inheritance tax, care costs and the receipt of benefits.

Important things you will need to consider are:-

• Who do you want to appoint as the executors of your estate.  Executors are the people who will be responsible for administering your estate and ensuring that your wishes are carried out.  Executors should, therefore, be people you trust implicitly.  If necessary, you can appoint the Director of Ridings Law, Linda Pratt, as one of your executors, or the sole executor if it would be helpful.  Linda will explain her charges for acting as (one of) your executor(s) before you sign your will.

• Do you want to include guardians for any minor children?

Who would you like to receive your estate once you have passed away?  Perhaps you would like to include gifts of cash or specific items to charities or other people, such as friends or relatives.   Who will ultimately receive your estate?

• Do you need to consider IHT planning in your will?

Having received your instructions and taking these matters into account, we will then proceed to give effect to your objectives in a way which maximises tax savings and gives the fullest benefit of your assets to your beneficiaries.

Please contact one of our staff to discuss making a will.  We will then be able to advise you regarding costs and any other relevant issues which you should be aware of.