Unless you make a Will you cannot control who is to administer your estate or who is to benefit from it. It is also useful for naming guardians for your children and for tax planning.

If you are happily married or in a civil partnership it is better if you make your Wills together, particularly if they are to be in similar form ("Mirror Wills").

Wills are particularly important for unmarried couples or couples who have not entered into a civil partnership. They are also important for avoiding the effect of the intestacy rules which otherwise control the passing of certain assets on your death. For example, without a Will the only capital a surviving spouse or civil partner may receive is £125,000 where the deceased spouse or civil partner dies leaving children (the so-called statutory legacy). Joint tenancies avoid this problem: ask us if a joint tenancy applies to you. For more in-depth guidance on the intestacy rules click here

The Law is complex and for initial guidance on this most important area in regard to who benefits, how the tax works, and how these interact, why not have a free, no obligation, initial interview to discuss Will making generally with one of our Solicitors?

We recommend that you review your Wills after every budget and budgetary review and after every change in your circumstances or even those of your loved ones to ensure that your Will is in accordance with your wishes and is optimised to suit the needs of your loved ones.

Let us take the worry out of Will making for you in a friendly and peaceful environment.

If you have already made a Will, remember that marriage or civil partnership usually cancels it automatically. One of our Solicitors will be able to discuss this with you in more depth.