Why Make A Will - a short overview.
A couple of questions about writing a will answered.
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Should you get professional help to write a will.
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Why check and review the value of your estaste (all you own) and
beneficiaries.
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Why are Executors important.
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Sorting the papers.
It is certainly possible to create a Will yourself but of course it’s not advisable. It’s far
too easy to make mistakes which mean it wouldn’t be valid (if you don't have a will it's called intestacy) so
it’s would be best to get help from a professional importantly there are number of financial implications which
need to be fully understood before you make any final decisions.
For those reasons you should not really consider writing a will yourself but put it together with a third party
that can talk about the issues.
In summary these are:-
- Tax that may be due on your estate.
- Flexibility to ensure your surviving partner is protected in full (this should take into account existing
investments, inheritance tax and pensions along with the need for long term care).
- Beneficiary protection especially if you have been married more than once.
If you really really want a DIY option, you’ll find Will-writing kits in most stationers, or ready-made
templates online and good luck, remember it's your beneficiaries who will have to sort the mess out and your estate
could incur additional legal costs.
There are other options, for example some charities offer Will-writing services in return for a gift or donation
from your estate after death (even a small one), so if you have a favourite charity it may be worth looking into
what they offer.
Otherwise you should seek help from a professional.
Getting ready to write a Will
When planning to create or recreated your Will, here are some things you might want to consider first:-
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your estate
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Make a list of everything you own and what it’s worth (assets)
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Deduct any money you owe or could owe at death (liabilities)
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Include any life assurance policies and pension assets (if not already assigned or written in
trust) most pensions are held under trust in any case but it's worth checking first.
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Work out the net value of your estate (the difference between assets and liabilities)
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your beneficiaries
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who you want to benefit
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consider guardians to care for your children and provision for them
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family and friends
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charities
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how do you want them to benefit, percetanges or specific gifts.
- list those you don’t want to benefit
Wills are not a particularly complicated item
of financial planning but they do need to be taken seriously. If you want further guidance you can contact us using this page.
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