Looking for Solicitors For Wills Near Me?
A Will is just a will, isn’t it? No. Very much not. A Will you can buy in a High Street shop may or may not carry out your wishes in the future (sadly if not your family only discover this when it is too late, meaning lengthy delays in estate administration and additional costs).
However, a Will professionally drafted by a Solicitor will not only ensure that your wishes are carried out in the future, but will also look at the wider aspects of your estate, such as tax planning to save potentially hundreds or thousands of pounds in unnecessary taxes.
Solicitors Near Me connect you free of charge and without obligation with specialist Wills solicitors near to where you live.
Why not try Solicitors Near Me today? There is no charge for our connection service so you really do have nothing to lose.
To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry ».
Wills Solicitors – Solicitors Near Me For Wills UK
It is estimated that well over half of UK adults don’t have a Will. Many more have had a go at drafting their own, which can cause even more problems than not having a Will at all. As well as potentially losing thousands of pounds to the taxman, a poorly drafted Will or not having a Will at all can cause serious family disagreements following a death.
Nobody likes to think about making a Will, but once it is in place it can be safely stored and forgotten about until it is needed. Having a well-thought-out Will means you can be sure that your estate will be passed on to your loved ones in the most tax-efficient way possible and that your relatives can be sure of your wishes.
Where Is A Solicitor For Wills Near Me?
We have trusted specialist solicitors based in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland who can help and advise you.
Solicitors Near Me For Wills can connect you with the right advisor to talk over your wishes and ensure that you pass on your assets to those whom you want to have them.
How Much Does Our Wills Solicitor Finding Service Cost?
Solicitors Near Me UK will connect you with a specialist Wills solicitor completely free of charge and without obligation.
Our service was set up by a former solicitor who understood how difficult it was for people to find a good solicitor who would act in their best interests and put in place the right Will for their situation. So, Solicitors Near Me UK was created to connect people with lawyers offering the best Will-writing service and advice.
We’ll put you in touch with a solicitor so that you can see if they are the right fit for your circumstances. You can decide at that point whether you would like them to work on your behalf or not. Until that point, there is no cost. You are in control of the situation throughout.
To be connected to a specialist Wills solicitor now, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry ».
Why Do I Need A Will?
Leaving your estate to the beneficiaries of your choice
If you do not make a Will, then on your death all of your money and possessions will pass under the Rules of Intestacy to specified family members. Co-habitees and step-children will not receive anything.
The Rules state that a spouse or civil partner will inherit the deceased’s personal possessions plus the first £270,000 of the estate. The remainder of the estate is split so that the spouse or civil partner receives one half and the remaining half is split equally between any children.
There are other rules for families without children or where the deceased was not married or in a civil partnership.
The result is often not what the deceased would have wanted, for example, it can mean that children only receive a small share of an estate. By making a Will, you can ensure that your assets are left to those you would like to receive them.
Leaving a life interest in your home
A Will also allows you to protect assets for your beneficiaries, for example, if you have children from an earlier marriage they might lose out if you were to leave your home to a new spouse. Ultimately, that spouse could then leave the property to someone else or it might have to be sold to fund their care home fees.
By making a Will, you can leave someone a life interest. In the example above, leaving the new spouse a life interest would mean that they could live in the home for as long as they wish, but once they no longer needed it, the property would pass to the children.
Putting the right arrangements in place for your children
If your children have not yet reached adulthood or you have children who are not able to care for themselves, you can appoint a guardian for them in your Will and also put trustees in place to look after any money you will be leaving them. You can also decide at what age you would like your children to inherit your money, for example, 18, 21 or 25.
Choosing a trusted executor to administer your affairs
If you make a Will you have the opportunity to choose one or more executors to deal with the winding-up of your estate. You can appoint someone you trust absolutely as well as making sure it is someone who is likely to be willing and able to act when the time comes.
Letting your family know your wishes
A Will lets your family know your wishes and can be reassuring for them as they deal with their loss. You can include details of what sort of funeral you would like and whether you want a burial or cremation. While this is not legally binding, it can give your loved ones an idea of your preferences and provide comfort to them at a difficult time.
A robust well-drafted Will can also go a long way to avoiding family disagreements. If those left behind can see in your own words exactly what you wanted to happen after your death, they are less likely to challenge the arrangements or to make a claim.
Tax planning
An expert Wills solicitor can give you advice about Inheritance Tax and talk through any ways in which you can legitimately save money. Inheritance Tax is currently payable at the rate of 40% on the value of an estate over £325,000.
Options might include taking advantage of the main residence nil rate band, gifting money during your lifetime, leaving money to charity or putting money and other assets into a trust. The law on Inheritance Tax is complicated, so it is essential to take expert advice before acting. For example, lifetime gifts could still attract tax following someone’s death, so it is important to know the rules before trying to mitigate your tax liability.
What Is A Mirror Will?
Mirror Wills are two almost identical Wills made by a couple with each leaving their estate to the other. Usually, the Wills then leave everything to their children, once both partners have died.
This type of Will can be made by anyone, either married or unmarried.
Who Should Be Executors Of My Will?
You can choose anyone you want to be your executor, provided they have the capacity to understand the role and are likely to be willing and able to act. The job of an executor can be quite onerous and time-consuming however, so you should take this into account when making your choice. It is also advisable to choose someone younger than you if you can.
You can choose one or more executors, up to a maximum of four. It is usual to limit it to one or two to make the estate administration as straightforward as possible. You can also name a substitute executor who would act in the event that your first choice was unable or unwilling to act.
An executor is responsible for collecting in and valuing the estate’s assets, calculating and paying all tax, to include Inheritance Tax, clearing and selling any property, preparing estate accounts and distributing the estate in accordance with the Will. There can be personal liability for any mistakes made, so you should ensure you select someone who you believe will be able to cope with the responsibility.
You can choose to appoint a professional executor if you do not have anyone suitable to take on the role. This would usually be a solicitor who is experienced in probate and trust matters. You can discuss this with your solicitor when making your Will as they will usually be able to suggest someone.
Can An Executor Of A Will Also Be A Beneficiary?
It is perfectly acceptable for the executor of a Will to also be a beneficiary, in fact it is quite common. It is important to ensure that that person does not witness the Will however. Your solicitor will ensure that the witnessing is done correctly so that your Will is valid.
Having Your Will Reviewed
Even if you have a Will, you should review it from time to time. This is particularly important in the event of big life changes such as divorce or the birth of children. It is essential to have a new Will drafted when you get married as marriage automatically makes an existing Will invalid.
Where Should I Store My Will When It Is Completed?
Safe storage of your Will is vital so that your loved ones can find it when the time comes. Your solicitor will usually be able to store it in their document storage room or recommend a similar facility and you will be given documentation advising that this is where it is. You can tell your loved ones in advance where it is being kept or simply put the details with your important papers so that it can be easily found.
Keeping it with your solicitor means that not only will it be safe and simple to locate, but it can’t be destroyed by mistake or tampered with. You will be given a copy for your records.
Solicitors Near Me Who Do Wills
If you are searching for a local Wills solicitor for help and advice in putting the right Will in place to safeguard your assets and provide for your loved ones, try our Solicitors Near Me service to find a trusted local lawyer. Remember, there is no obligation to proceed if you decide not to go ahead.
Get Connected With A Wills Solicitor Near Me UK Now!
To be connected to a specialist solicitor near to where you live, please either call us now on 0845 1391399 or complete a Free Online Enquiry ».