Protect those around you by preparing a Will

In these unprecedented times of uncertainty with the corona virus pandemic, there are other things along with social distancing and self-isolation that we can do to protect ourselves and our families.

One of the most common excuses we hear as to why many do not have a Will is that they just haven’t got around to it.  A Will is often the last thing on our ‘to do’ list when we are busy with our daily lives.

Now that most of us will have a bit more time on our hands due to self-isolation, it could be a good time to consider preparing a will to protect those around you.

It might surprise you to hear that almost two thirds of the UK population do not have a will.   This means that if you were to pass away, your estate will be distributed according to the Intestacy Rules.  This sets out who inherits from your estate, based on relatives that you have at the date of your death, and the value of your assets.

It is not even guaranteed that your husband or wife would inherit all of your estate even if you are married.  And even worse, if you are not married, your partner will not receive anything from your estate regardless of how long you have been together. Clearly, this could create financial problems for your family at an already difficult and emotional time.

By making a Will, you will have peace of mind that you have planned for the future and your estate will be administered as per your wishes.

Even if you do have a Will in place, have you thought about the last time it was updated?  We recommend that you review (and consider updating your Will) at least every 5 years, and certainly after any major change in your life such as:

• Starting a family
• Getting married
• Moving home
• Separating or divorcing from a partner
• The death of an executor or beneficiary of your current Will

It is particularly important to review your Will if you get married as your marriage will revoke (cancel) any existing Will that you have.

Whether you would like to prepare or review a Will, our friendly team are here to help make the process as smooth as possible for you.

If you would like to discuss a Will or to review an existing Will, please contact Louise Miller on 0191 2127753 or lmiller@mincoffs.co.uk and she or one of her team will be pleased to help you.