Many people across Kent will reach those milestones in life; buying your first home, getting married or having a baby and overlook one of life’s most important documents; writing or updating a Will.
Dying without a Will in place, will leave you no choice as to how yur estate will pass, meaning your assets may not automatically pass to your spouse, partner or children. With changing pattern in family life, second families and step children may have no automatic right to inherit from your estate. Having a Will in place will best avoid family disputes that may arise after you pass.
Every day 2000 people die in this country, without having a legally valid Will in place. Most incorrectly assume that all their possessions would automatically pass to their spouse or other family members. Unfortunately, many families often face immediate financial hardship and sometimes they even have to sell the family home simply because no Will had been written. The law of Intestacy means that the state writes a Will for you and your possessions are distributed according to that law.
A Will, will provide a clear statement of your last wishes, allowing you to make a provisions for your family by appointing a guardian to ensure that your children and looked after and set-out a plan for finances so that they are provided for. Choose what age your children would inherit your assets, create a trust to hold assets or money ‘in trust’ for the beneficiary to inherit – common ages for trusts are 18, 21 or 25. Dying without a Will or trust in place children may automatically inherit at 18, even if you believe that is too young.
Keeping your wishes up to date is just as important, if your estate has substantially changed in value, you divorce, have your civil partnership annulled or have any further children; your Will should be reviewed and updated to reflect your new circumstances.
We understand making a Will can be a daunting process. However our specialist team offer a personal one-to-one service. Get started today – contact Graham Colley Solicitors to arrange an appointment to discuss your Will, either at our offices in Rochester, Kent or Graham Colley Solicitor now covers Maidstone, West Malling, Ashford, Canterbury and the wider Kent area via Zoom video call. Fixed fees for standard Wills available.