Last Will and Testament | Howell Smith Financial Services

Wills

In the UK 7 out of 10 people die intestate (without a valid will). This means that important decisions on how your assets and possessions are distributed are left to the government to decide. If you have children a valid Will can allow you to choose who you would like to look after them if you are not around and can prevent legal disputes.

Why leave your loved ones the problem of overcoming these difficulties in an already difficult situation? We provide a professional, personal Will Writing service which will help you plan for this eventuality.

What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document detailing your decisions on who gets what once you have died. This need not just be money or expensive items such as property but may also include items of sentimental value or who looks after your children and your affairs. A Will can include your funeral wishes too, so that you have the burial of your choice.

Who Should Write a Will?

Those over the age of 18 can legally right a Will in the UK. Members of the armed forces need to be 16 or over to create a Will.

Good Reasons To Have a Will?

It is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death. If you haven’t made a valid Will your assets will be subject to the Laws of Intestacy which may mean that your wishes may not be carried out. Also, without a valid Will it is likely to delay the distribution of your estate than it would if you had made a Will. As a consequence, your beneficiaries may not be able to receive any gifts or money from your estate for many months or even years. As 7 out of 10 people die without making a valid Will, here’s 7 good reasons to have one.

Family disputes over distribution of your estate are less likely if your wishes are legally recorded in a Will
Beneficiaries are likely to receive their inheritance more quickly with a valid Will
Your funeral and burial wishes are noted. This can include whether you wish to be cremated or the type of service you would like to have
You (not the government or anyone else) decide how you would like your estate to be distributed
A well thought out and drafted Will can reduce Inheritance Tax liability and other costs such as Long Term Care costs leaving more for your beneficiaries as a consequence.
If you are not married your partner may inherit nothing if you do not have a valid Will
If you have children under the age of 18 the court may decide who is appointed as guardians if you do not have a valid Will

Our Will Writing Process

After an initial telephone discussion we will arrange to visit you at your home to obtain your Will instructions so long as this is convenient. If you prefer, instructions can be taken over the phone with written confirmation and drafts supplied via email and post. However, most clients prefer face to face discussion. Either way, we will send you information for you to consider prior to any instruction taking place. Our visit should take no more than 60-90 minutes depending on how detailed your instruction is.
After 3 years, we will write to you to discuss the possible changes that have occurred in your personal circumstances that may have affected your Will. If appropriate, we can then arrange to rewrite your Will.

What Services Do We Offer

Single Will or Mirror (partners/spouses) Wills
Trusts (including Protective Property Trusts, Disabled Discretionary Trusts)
Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPAs)

If you died without making a Will or if your Will is deemed to be invalid (for example completed or signed incorrectly) then you are said to have died ‘intestate’. Your estate will then be subject to the Law of Intestacy which means that the law makes the decision as to who benefits from your estate and how much they receive.

*Please note that Will Services are not regulated by the Financial Services Authority or by Trafalgar Square Financial Planning Consultants. Professional Indemnity is arranged via a 3rd party.*