Understanding why you should have a Will is essential for ensuring your wishes are followed and your loved ones are protected. Homemade Wills often contain errors that make estate administration difficult. Therefore, seeking specialist legal advice is highly recommended. A professionally drafted Will ensures your wishes are followed, protects your loved ones, and prevents avoidable complications after you pass away.
Holmes & Hills Solicitors’ specialist Wills & Probate lawyer, Emma Faulkner, recently appeared on BBC Essex Radio, joining presenter Rob Jelly, to discuss why every adult should have a Will and the implications homemade Wills can have for your family. Listen to the full interview below.
As long as you are over 18, it is never too early to have a Will. There are certain ‘life events’ which make it even more important that you have a valid Will in place.
This includes getting married, buying property, having children, getting divorced, or if you inherit money from a loved one. Even if you believe you don’t have a lot to leave, you should still make sure you have a valid Will in place, or your assets (however small) will pass in accordance with the Laws of Intestacy to your nearest surviving relatives.
You may not want this to happen, and it may not be practical. For example, your nearest surviving relatives may be children under the age of 18. This means someone else will have to deal with your estate on their behalf and, without a Will, you have no control over who manages your estate after you pass.
We often come across mistakes or omissions in homemade Wills which can complicate things for your loved ones.
The most common mistakes we see are homemade Wills not being witnessed correctly, not naming an executor, no residuary estate clause, or a missing attestation clause.
If you see a specialist Wills lawyer, they will be able to guide through the process from start to finish and will cover all the above and more.
If you are considering creating a Will, there is no better time than today to seek advice. Holmes & Hills’ Private Client team provide clear, practical and friendly advice, tailored to your individual needs and circumstances, with offices across Essex and Suffolk.
We also offer convenient remote appoints for clients who prefer to meet online. Whether you are based locally in Essex and Suffolk, elsewhere in the UK, or living overseas, our solicitors can meet with you remotely wherever you are.
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook to watch our Will Sense Check video series hosted by Emma Faulkner, Solicitor and Kate Theobold, Wills Drafting Executive. These videos discuss the importance of making a Will and highlights common errors in homemade Wills.
Disclaimer
The content of this article is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice. The information given in this article is correct at the date of publication.
A Mackman Group collaboration - market research by Mackman Research | website design by Mackman
