WILLS
It is estimated that 70% of the population do not have a current Will. Making a Will creates certainty, reduces worry and gives you the peace of mind of knowing exactly how your money, property and possessions will be dealt with after your death.
Why do I need a Will?
Everyone should make a Will. For example to:
What happens if I do not make a Will?
If you die without leaving a Will you are said to have died intestate. Without a Will a set of statutory rules (known as the Law of Intestacy) are imposed which specify how assets are distributed between family members in a fixed order. If you have no family then your assets will go to the Crown. The danger of dying intestate is that you will have no say in how your Estate is distributed and to whom. Family members may benefit when you had no intention of them inheriting. Conversely, an unmarried partner may not receive anything even though this would never have been your wish had you prepared a Will.
It is critical that you make a Will to avoid this situation.
Why not make a home-made Will?
Home-made Wills are rarely suitable. Even in the simplest cases, errors in writing the Will can make either part of the Will or the entire document invalid. Frequently home-made Wills are not properly signed and witnessed and this is not discovered until after the person has died because no Solicitor has checked it at the time. Trying to save a small amount of money upfront can result in much higher costs later on. If a Will is declared invalid, then your Estate will be treated as if you have died intestate.
Why should I use a Solicitor to make a Will?
There are lots of “will writers” who offer Wills at very low prices. Under the present law anyone can prepare a Will for you and charge a fee – irrespective of their legal training (or lack of it!). Whilst you may save a few pounds at the outset, hidden charges can mean that the services of unqualified legal advisers are more costly in the long run.
A recent investigation by Panorama uncovered cases where initial will-writing fees of £75 to £100 escalated to thousands of pounds with clients and families of the deceased then being charged fee percentages for handling estates after death, about which they were never told. Another common problem is that will-writing companies go out of business and disappear with their clients’ Wills.
Why Choose Us?
At GM Watts we offer a clear and straightforward approach to making Will combined with an efficient and cost-effective service. Most simple Wills can be prepared in 7 days, or sooner in the case of an emergency.
We offer FREE home visits, daytime or evening, within a 5 miles radius of South Croydon. In some circumstances it is possible to prepare a Will without a face to face appointment – please enquire.
Like all Solicitors, we are highly qualified and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
It is estimated that 70% of the population do not have a current Will. Making a Will creates certainty, reduces worry and gives you the peace of mind of knowing exactly how your money, property and possessions will be dealt with after your death.
Why do I need a Will?
Everyone should make a Will. For example to:
- Ensure that your assets pass to your chosen family and friends after your death
- Appoint guardians to look after your children otherwise the courts will decide
- Appoint executors to collect in the assets, pay the bills and distribute the balance to your beneficiaries
- Ensure any assets passing to children are safeguarded until they are old enough
- Include provisions for unmarried partners, friends and distant relatives who cannot benefit where there is no Will
- Provide for family from an earlier marriage where one or both of a couple has been married before
- Reduce or avoid Inheritance Tax
- Make clear your funeral wishes
What happens if I do not make a Will?
If you die without leaving a Will you are said to have died intestate. Without a Will a set of statutory rules (known as the Law of Intestacy) are imposed which specify how assets are distributed between family members in a fixed order. If you have no family then your assets will go to the Crown. The danger of dying intestate is that you will have no say in how your Estate is distributed and to whom. Family members may benefit when you had no intention of them inheriting. Conversely, an unmarried partner may not receive anything even though this would never have been your wish had you prepared a Will.
It is critical that you make a Will to avoid this situation.
Why not make a home-made Will?
Home-made Wills are rarely suitable. Even in the simplest cases, errors in writing the Will can make either part of the Will or the entire document invalid. Frequently home-made Wills are not properly signed and witnessed and this is not discovered until after the person has died because no Solicitor has checked it at the time. Trying to save a small amount of money upfront can result in much higher costs later on. If a Will is declared invalid, then your Estate will be treated as if you have died intestate.
Why should I use a Solicitor to make a Will?
There are lots of “will writers” who offer Wills at very low prices. Under the present law anyone can prepare a Will for you and charge a fee – irrespective of their legal training (or lack of it!). Whilst you may save a few pounds at the outset, hidden charges can mean that the services of unqualified legal advisers are more costly in the long run.
A recent investigation by Panorama uncovered cases where initial will-writing fees of £75 to £100 escalated to thousands of pounds with clients and families of the deceased then being charged fee percentages for handling estates after death, about which they were never told. Another common problem is that will-writing companies go out of business and disappear with their clients’ Wills.
Why Choose Us?
At GM Watts we offer a clear and straightforward approach to making Will combined with an efficient and cost-effective service. Most simple Wills can be prepared in 7 days, or sooner in the case of an emergency.
We offer FREE home visits, daytime or evening, within a 5 miles radius of South Croydon. In some circumstances it is possible to prepare a Will without a face to face appointment – please enquire.
Like all Solicitors, we are highly qualified and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
GM Watts Solicitors 2A Ridge Langley Sanderstead South Croydon CR2 0AR
This firm is Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 125520)
This firm is Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 125520)