subject: Advice From Solicitors in Great Yarmouth: Why Should You Make A Will? [print this page] Advice From Solicitors in Great Yarmouth: Why Should You Make A Will?
Did you know that only one in three people in the UK have a will in place? While it might not seem necessary at the moment, the consequences of not having an official will in place can result in wasted time and energy if something bad does happen.
For example, if you have children but have not left a legitimate will, you won't have any influence on their guardianship. It could be that your children are left in the care of a closer relative who they don't get on with over a more distant relative or friend that they do.
In addition, if you are not married but have a long term partner, they will not be entitled to any of your estate this can result in even more stress for a bereaved dependent. .
And even if you are married, your spouse may be forced to share any assets you leave behind with other members of your family, even if you did not intend for them to receive it.
Finally, you may even have to pay more inheritance tax on your estate.
So, now we have outlined some good reasons for making sure you get a will written, how do you go about it?
You have two main options. Firstly, if you want to write your will yourself, will writing kits' are available from more Post Offices. They take you through step by step the fundamentals of making sure your will is legitimate.
While this is a cheaper option, it may give you better peace of mind to go to a reliable wills solicitor. They will ensure that everything that needs to be present in a will is featured in yours.
For example, you can note people and charities that you want your money and assets left to plus include who should look after your children.
If you own a business, you can include who, if anyone, you want to carry on the running of it.
Finally, you can leave any specifications you have for your funeral.
While it might seem like an irritation and a cost that you can put off, we would strongly advice getting a will in place to avoid any complications that can make a bad situation even worse.
