Making a Will
Don t leave your loved ones with additional expense and complications.
Individuals who pass away without an up to date will, or intestate, result in complications and costs to their beneficiaries and often gift thousands of pounds to the Country in what may be avoidable Inheritance Tax (IHT).
The Law Society says that anyone with assets and family or friends should make a will, irrespective of their age. It is particularly important if you are not married to your partner, because the law does not accord partners the same rights automatically of inheritance as spouses.
Assets which are owned jointly by unmarried partners on a joint tenancy basis would still go to automatically to the surviving spouse under the rules of survivorship. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to assets and property that were not jointly owned (although the Law Commission has recently proposed to change this).
Getting a will is also essential if you have minors, as you can appoint guardians to look after them.
It is vital to make a list of assets and liabilities and their approximate worth. Include your property, investment, savings, insurance policies and pension.
In addition, think about individual legacies. Merely telling a family member that an item will be his or hers one day could cause upset later.
You should get professional advice on estate planning as part of writing your will. Simple measures could save the beneficiaries of more prosperous householders thousands of £’s in taxation.
An essential element of constructing a will is the naming of executors to ensure that your will instructions are carried out correctly.
You should also update your will every five years or so and whenever your situation are altered by a substantial life event, such as marriage, split up or a birth or death in the immediate family. Another example would be after a house purchase or move.
Whoever constructs up your will, make sure 1 copy is kept secure or deposit one with a probate registry.
Consilium provides inheritance tax planning advice in Somerset