The last thing people want to talk about in your day-to-day life is death, but making plans now will be easier for the loved ones that are left behind after you have passed.
If you do not make plans now on how you would like your wealth and belongings distributed amongst your loved ones then it could mean years of fighting for rights for your family and friends.
But where do you even start when it comes to creating a will?
Below are a few pointers for your consideration when thinking about drafting your will.
Seek professional legal advice
Creating a will yourself may seem like the easiest and simplest of tasks yet get it wrong and you could be back at square one. Using a local law firm can save time and money. Creating a will that cannot be used legally will cost more in the long run for a solicitor to redraft then it would be to invest in a solicitor in the first place.
Trustworthy Executors
Choose your executors wisely as these will be the person or persons responsible for your will after you have passed.
Many people find this role hard and taxing, they have to deal with the handling of your will, money, wealth and property to ensure that the will is executed the correct way.
Children and Guardians
You will need to appoint a guardian in your will for your children. If your children are under 18 years old, a guardian will be arranged by the court if your will does not state who you would like to be responsible for your children after you have passed if both parents are no longer around.
Belongings
Spreading your belongings out amongst loved ones can be an easy or difficult task. Items such as family heirlooms and those of sentimental value are often left to closest friends and family members or people who you know it will mean something to.
Each item needs to be clearly listed with names allocated next to each item to avoid any disputes after you are no longer around to confirm who you would like to leave your most prized possessions to.
Sign, date and protect your will
You will need to sign your will officially in front of witnesses to make it a legal document. The witnesses must be people that are not mentioned in the will, they can be collegues, friends or family as long as they are not designated people in your will.
You need to ensure that your will is protected in a clean, dry and safe place and will be easily found should anything happen. A safe is an ideal place for your will to protect it from flooding and fire.
This is just a short list of areas to think about when it comes to creating and drafting your will. There are many more areas in which you will need to consider including inheritance tax but investing in legal advice from law firms in Kent and across the UK will help cover all the requirements.
If you do not make plans now on how you would like your wealth and belongings distributed amongst your loved ones then it could mean years of fighting for rights for your family and friends.
But where do you even start when it comes to creating a will?
Below are a few pointers for your consideration when thinking about drafting your will.
Seek professional legal advice
Creating a will yourself may seem like the easiest and simplest of tasks yet get it wrong and you could be back at square one. Using a local law firm can save time and money. Creating a will that cannot be used legally will cost more in the long run for a solicitor to redraft then it would be to invest in a solicitor in the first place.
Trustworthy Executors
Choose your executors wisely as these will be the person or persons responsible for your will after you have passed.
Many people find this role hard and taxing, they have to deal with the handling of your will, money, wealth and property to ensure that the will is executed the correct way.
Children and Guardians
You will need to appoint a guardian in your will for your children. If your children are under 18 years old, a guardian will be arranged by the court if your will does not state who you would like to be responsible for your children after you have passed if both parents are no longer around.
Belongings
Spreading your belongings out amongst loved ones can be an easy or difficult task. Items such as family heirlooms and those of sentimental value are often left to closest friends and family members or people who you know it will mean something to.
Each item needs to be clearly listed with names allocated next to each item to avoid any disputes after you are no longer around to confirm who you would like to leave your most prized possessions to.
Sign, date and protect your will
You will need to sign your will officially in front of witnesses to make it a legal document. The witnesses must be people that are not mentioned in the will, they can be collegues, friends or family as long as they are not designated people in your will.
You need to ensure that your will is protected in a clean, dry and safe place and will be easily found should anything happen. A safe is an ideal place for your will to protect it from flooding and fire.
This is just a short list of areas to think about when it comes to creating and drafting your will. There are many more areas in which you will need to consider including inheritance tax but investing in legal advice from law firms in Kent and across the UK will help cover all the requirements.