Don t leave your wife and kids with extra expense and hassle.
Individuals who die without an up to date will, or intestate, result in costs and complications to their beneficiaries and often gift thousands of pounds to the Nation in what may be avoidable Inheritance Tax (IHT).
The Law Society says that anyone with possessions and family or friends should make a will, irrespective of their age. It is specially important if you are not married to your partner, because the law does not give partners the same automatic rights of inheritance as spouses.
Property that is owned jointly by unmarried partners on a joint tenancy basis would still pass automatically to the surviving partner under the rules of survivorship. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to assets or property that were not jointly owned (although the Law Commission has of late proposed to change this).
Creating a will is also vital if you have kids, as you can appoint guardians to look after them.
It is important to make a list of assets and liabilities and their approximate worth. Include your house, investment, savings, insurance policies and pensions.
In addition, consider details of specific bequests. Simply informing a family member that an item will be his or hers one day could cause trouble later.
You should receive professional advice on inheritance tax planning as part of writing your will. Simple measures could save the beneficiaries of more well-to-do householders thousands of £’s in tax.
A key element of establishing a will is the appointment of executors to ensure that your will instructions are carried out.
You should also review your will every few years or so and whenever your circumstances are altered by a profound life event, such as marriage, divorce or a birth or death in the close family. Another instance would be after a house purchase or move.
Whoever constructs up your will, make sure one copy is kept safe or deposit 1 with a probate registry.
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