Currently there are more than 31 million people in the UK who do not have a Will in place. If you should die without a Will, it will be the law who will decide who should inherit your possessions and property following your death.
A Will, often known as a Last Will and Testament, is one of the most important documents that you will be involved in writing. Everyone over the age of 18 and of mental capacity needs to make a Will to ensure that after your death your assets and property go to the people you want them to be that family, friends or charities you support. Having a Will in place also helps reduce the stress for family members at what is already a difficult and emotional time. Preparing a Will can also reduce any inheritance tax payable on the assets you leave behind. It is best to tackle the task when you are healthy and able to think clearly about the future, then enjoy your life secure in the knowledge that those you love are provided for.
A Will does not have to follow a set pattern; if it can be proved, for example, that a paragraph on the back of an envelope represents your final wishes, then this may be sufficient. But, in order to help avoid complications and to ensure that your wishes are understood and met as fully as possible, it is best to follow a set formula.
One reason many people put off making their Will is simply because they do not know who to approach. If they have not got a solicitor to undertake the task, they can be left wondering how to take the first step.
Approaching a professional Will Writer is however the perfect way forward. Max Baldwin, who is a qualified Will Writer, works for Abingdon Wills & Probate, part of Bicester Wills & Probate. Max can help clients living in Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage, Carterton, Faringdon and Witney.
“I offer estate planning advice which could be writing Wills, advising on and setting up both types of Lasting Powers of Attorney, Trusts. Severing Tenancy with Land Registry, Trusts written into Wills, Lifetime Asset Protection Trusts and offer advice on Inheritance Tax Planning. My colleagues Gail and Katie can provide advice on handling probate following a person’s death.”
“Following receipt of a client’s enquiry, I will contact them by phone to touch base and answer any initial questions they may have. We will then post or email our informative guides about Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney or administration of an Estate (Probate). I will also ask new clients to consider who they wish to elect as executors, guardians, beneficiaries and/or Attorneys.
“From the time I take instructions from a new client, whether that is over the telephone, via Zoom or face to face, drafting their Will, sending it back to them for any amends or further questions, to the point of signing their Wills can take up to two weeks. We can also expedite our services if we have capacity to do so.”
Website: www.bicesterwills.co.uk
Email: max@abingdonwillsandprobate.co.uk
Call: 01235 429483