Will writing

[Rodders53]

One only needs a Will if the Intestacy Laws/Rules don't do what one wants

Solicitors would be my recommendation. Ring round a few locals for prices. Ideally get a recommendation from someone you trust. NEVER appoint a Solicitor or Will Writing Firm as Executor unless there is no-one else you can trust to do the job.

More complicated Estates and Inheritance Tax Planning may need the advice of a STEP member https://www.step.org/about-step/public

Ours were a few hundred when last done some ten years ago and there's currently still no real need to update as it was well written and things haven't really changed. IIRC when quoted I assumed it was each and it was for the pair of Wills.

DIY Wills can be a minefield. Check out the MSE Probate forums for the tales of woe.

 

[blup]

Understanding IHT and estate planning is important, you can gen up on this yourself. If you are below the threshold you might not need a will but advisable if you have kids and a spouse otherwise the intestate rules kick in and they’re not what you might think is fair. A lot of people have been mis sold tax avoiding trusts by unregulated will writing companies, so personally I would always use a solicitor

 

[transam]

Must admit I need to write a will

Thought if yer estate is simplistic ?? You could do yer own ?

Pretty certain I have seen DIY will kits in W H Smiths

 

[motorbiking]

Would that be included as a general legacy or are we talking about a gift from the residuary estate?

It would depend on the effect of the clause at the time of execution or were you asking about how to present it in the Will?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Some charities offer a free will-writing service. Naturally they hope to be a beneficiary, but that's not compulsory.

Not compulsory, but some services insist on you naming the charity to benefit, before they will agree an appointment. It happened to me, so I made a formal complaint.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

One only needs a Will if the Intestacy Laws/Rules don't do what one wants

Be aware, that solicitors can write Wills, which makes them the Executors. My partner had her Will written that way, and the solicitors, several were named, can then claim a tidy sum from the Estate, for their services as Executors. I was lucky - The Law Society had just brought out a ruling just months before, that in such circumstances, the beneficiaries could take over the job of Executors, if all agreed.

It still had to go to court, and before a judge, to allow me to become Executor. I spent weeks on the Internet, seeking out ways to kick the solicitors off the case, before I found the LS ruling.

 

[motorbiking]

Did they refuse to renounce without good reason?

 

[MNW67]

It would depend on the effect of the clause at the time of execution or were you asking about how to present it in the Will?

I was asking where and how to present it when drafting the Will.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Did they refuse to renounce without good reason?

I didn't give them the opportunity, I simply wrote a letter, quoting the LS's new advice, and that we wanted to take over the entire task ourselves.

 

[gas112]

Must admit I need to write a will

Thought if yer estate is simplistic ?? You could do yer own ?

Pretty certain I have seen DIY will kits in W H Smiths

Yep done my brothers with a w h smith one few hundred thousand quid .Couple of paragraphs no hassle at all being accepted by insurance companies/pension companies mortgage providers and banks etc etc at the time the pack was 17 quid

 

[Justin Passing]

Yeah, I should make a will.
IF wifey and I go together, as I'm older her family gets the lot. They either don't deserve, or don't need, anything.

 

[Koolpc]

Woof!

Wooooof!

 

[crystal ball]

We removed wifes sister from our will(s), being a bitch cost her a few quid

 

[norseman]

Many thanks for all your replies to date.

My situation is not entirely straightforward as I am divorced with 2 adult kids & have a partner of 24 years that I need to ensure a roof over her head, for which she would have no legal right as we are not married.

Therefore my priorities begin with my partner, followed by my 'kids' then finally my 2 grandchildren .. who I never hear from unless it's to thank me for sending them a few bob at Christmas. There are no great children, nor is there likely to be.
It would be nice to leave something to my partner's son as we get on really well, almost like father & son.

 

[MNW67]

Many thanks for all your replies to date.

My situation is not entirely straightforward as I am divorced with 2 adult kids & have a partner of 24 years that I need to ensure a roof over her head, for which she would have no legal right as we are not married.

Therefore my priorities begin with my partner, followed by my 'kids' then finally my 2 grandchildren .. who I never hear from unless it's to thank me for sending them a few bob at Christmas. There are no great children, nor is there likely to be.
It would be nice to leave something to my partner's son as we get on really well, almost like father & son.

It sounds like you own a house in your name only?

If so, are you planning to leave the house to your partner? Or are you just wanting her to able to remain there for the remainder of her life?