Where there is a will…

…there is peace of mind.

If you do not have a will written, perhaps now is the time to decide what you would like done with your money and assets upon your death.

Many of us shy away from thinking about our passing, however it is an important topic to address and discuss with our loved ones and those who will need to carry out our wishes.

Top reasons for writing a will:

1.    If you die without a will, the law decides who gets what – so have your say!

2.    Avoid paying more inheritance tax than necessary

3.    Protect your dependants – whether that be children, pets or anyone who relies on you, a will states their financial safety and wellbeing

4.    Remove the worry and stress from your loved ones

5.    Donate to charity, a cause you are passionate about or thankful for

Top tips

1.    You can write your will yourself, but you will need to get it properly witnessed and signed to make it legal

2.    If your situation is not straightforward, get legal advice to ensure all avenues are addressed

3.    Keep it safe, either at your solicitors, bank or with the Probate Service, and tell your executor (the person you’ve chosen to carry out your will), a close friend or relative where your will is

4.    Review your will regularly, we recommend between 5 – 10 years or if your circumstances change. Making a change or alteration is called a codicil and there is no limit to how many codicils you add to your will. You must sign a codicil and get it witnessed in the same way as witnessing a will.

5.    Think of all of your assets – including those digital assets held online.

Here at Teacher Stern we can help you through each step of the process, make any updates and amends to your current will, or store your will and keep it safe.

Call Emma or Robyn today to discuss your legal needs and what our Private Client team can help you with.