Making your Will – it’s probably not something we like to think about. Having a valid, professionally written Will is so important and once it’s done you and your family have the knowledge everything is in place.
On the BBC’s Morning Live today (06.03.2024) they did an article on why having a Will in place is so important. What it can mean if you don’t have one and the dangers of not having a professional write it for you.
The truth is a staggering half of the population of the UK are dying without a Will (intestate). A Will is one of the most important documents you will make and can make dealing with your estate after you die much simpler for your loved ones.
There are many benefits to asking a professional to draft these important documents, here are some of the main benefits:
Regulations (and lack of!)
Many people are surprised to find out that Will writing is unregulated, which means that anyone can set up a business to create some of the most important documents of your life, without any training or expertise. When you have a Solicitor drafting it for you, you can be sure that they have undergone training, have years of experience in practice and adhere to strict guidelines set by the SRA ‘Solicitors Regulatory Authority’ who authorise Solicitors to practice. You can be sure that you are in safe hands.
The dreaded legal challenges
On Morning Live they also said that compared to 2019 when 72 contested Wills ended up in Court the figure rose to 117 in 2022. Not all end up in Court though with approx. 10,000 contested Wills being settled out of Court. Challenges to Wills and the estate are increasingly common from disgruntled family members and can cause difficulty and heart ache for your loved ones. If the Will is DIY or ‘homemade’ claims are more likely to succeed as there has been a lack of guidance and supervision in making the document. The advice given by a Solicitor, if there are any known family fallouts are concerns, can be invaluable. Our job is to guide you in making the best decisions for your circumstances whilst giving you advice or scenarios which you may not have considered.
Futureproofing
Often problems with Wills only come to light after you have died which can cause a huge amount of stress and issues for your loved ones. When asking a Solicitor to draft these documents for you, you can be rest assured that the documents are bespoke to your circumstances.
Insurance
People often wonder why they should pay a professional to draft their legal documents when they could do it themselves. Unlike unregulated Will writers, Solicitors have professional insurance in place to cover any future claims. If there are any issues after your death and the documents are home drafted or by an unregulated Will writer, there is no option for your loved ones other than dealing with the problem themselves.
Asking a Solicitor to draft your Will can take the stress out of making important decisions for your future and give you valuable peace of mind.
Our dedicated Tax, Trusts & Estates team at each of our offices are here to help you. To have a chat about making your Will or to make an appointment just call the office you would like to use.
New Mills – 01663 743 344
Urmston – 0161 747 7321
Wilmslow – 01625 531 676
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