How Do I Make a Will?
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Don t leave your loved ones with extra expenses and complications.
People who pass away without a valid will, or intestate, leave complications and costs to their family and often gift thousands of pounds to the Government in what may be avoidable Inheritance Tax (IHT).
The Law Society says that anyone with assets and family or friends should make a will, disregarding of their years. It is specially important if you are not married to your partner, because the law does not accord partners the same automatic rights of inheritance as spouses.
Property that is owned jointly by unmarried partners on a joint tenancy basis would still pass automatically to the existing spouse under the rules of survivorship. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to assets and property that were not jointly held (although the Law Commission has of late suggested to change this).
Doing a will is also vital if you have children, as you can appoint guardians to look after them.
It is vital to make a list of assets and liabilities and their approximate worth. Include your property, investments, nest egg, insurance policies and pension.
In addition, think about individual legacies. Simply informing a family member that an item will be his or hers one day could cause trouble later.
You should take professional advice on IHT planning as part of writing your will. Simple measures could save the beneficiaries of wealthier homeowners thousands of pounds in taxation.
An important factor of building a will is the naming of executors to ensure that your will wishes are carried out correctly.
You should also update your will every or so and whenever your situation are changed by a significant life event, such as marriage, split up or a birth or death in the immediate family. Another instance would be after a house buy or move.
Whoever constructs up your will, make sure at least 1 copy is kept safe or deposit one with a probate registry.
Consilium provides inheritance tax planning advice in Somerset