WILLS AND ESTATE PLANNING PARTNERSHIP

          Peace of mind for those left behind

   Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, all your estate planning needs.  See our services below.
We are a Will writing business and makers of Lasting Powers of Attorney. Discover how we can help you. A well advised and regularly updated will alleviates dispute and minimises exposure to tax when your will is brought into effect.

We are an estate planning partnership.  Discover how we can help you, if you would like to discuss making your Will or Lasting Powers of Attorney together with estate planning please get in touch. 

A well advised and regularly updated will takes care of your loved ones and alleviates dispute and minimises exposure to tax when your will is brought into effect.  A DIY will can easily fail if not drafted properly.

Protect your Loved Ones and Pets

  • By providing for your loved ones financially in accordance with your wishes.
  • By balancing the needs of your second wife/husband with those of your children from your first marriage. This is referred to as sideways disinheritance for blended families.
  • By appointing trusted people as your executors.
  • By appointing guardians of your choice to bring up your children if they are under 18. Otherwise the Court would have to choose for you.
  • By providing for your unmarried partner who may otherwise get nothing.
  • You may wish to establish a trust for a disabled beneficiary.
  • By disinheriting a relative who you do not wish to benefit.
  • By making full use of your spouse exemption in order to preserve your estate for your future generations.
  • To avoid the heartache and upset for your loved ones if you die without a will. (Intestacy)
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Bereavement Services
  • Make plans for your pets ongoing care or someone else will decide where they go.
  • Godparents have no status in Law so make a will if they are people that you wish to raise your children in the event you can't.
Marriage, Divorce and Separation
  • Marriage revokes a previously made will, unless it was made "in contemplation of marriage" and it specifically provides to the contrary. 
  • If you separate from your spouse but you are still legally married, then your will remains valid and your spouse will be entitled to inherit as set out in the will.
  • If you do not want your spouse to benefit from your Estate but you are not legally divorced then it is important to write a new will stipulating your new wishes e.g. Alan and his partner Hannah have been together for 30 years.  Hannah's first husband Lewis left her 40 years ago and she has not seen him since.  If Hannah dies, Lewis gets the bulk (if not all) of her wealth, Alan gets nothing. 
  • The right of your former husband/wife to inherit if you do not have a will applies even if, at the time of your death you have separated from them and have commenced divorce proceedings.
  • Stepchildren do not automatically inherit assets from a persons Estate unlike natural adopted or even illegitimate children.  Stepchildren need to be specified in a will.
  

Repercussions without a Will
More than two thirds of the UK do not have a Will but we all agree that one should be made.  Why are you not doing it?
  •  Comedian Caroline Aherne died at 52 and did not have a will and inadvertently left her Mother with a £71,000 inheritance tax bill from her £504,060 estate as she was not married and did not have any children.  This money had to be paid to HMRC before a Grant of Probate could be issued.  This extra stress and heartache at a time of bereavement could have been avoided with a will and estate planning.
  • Rik Mayall died at 56 and did not have a will and left an estate worth around £1.2 million.  The whole of his estate was divided between his widow and children according to the Rules of Intestacy.  This is where it went wrong as legacies between spouses are tax free but IHT is payable on legacies to children.  Had he left a will then everything could have been passed to his wife tax free.
  • Not now or not yet? Unfortunately the worst words we hear as Estate Planners are I wish I had ........... don't let it be you please contact us.

Don't delay it's easy to make a Will

  • It will prevent your family from unnecessary distress at an already difficult time.
  • Invest in a will now and it can save heartache and dispute in the future.
  • It is a simple process which without it could become lengthy and expensive.
  • You should ensure that your will is up to date with your current circumstances in case you lose mental capacity and you can no longer legally make a will.
  • If you die without putting a new will in place then your old will is valid which may not be your up to date wishes.
  • Making an online or DIY will which is badly drafted could fail and can cause more problems than not having a will and also if it is not executed properly.

Facts that you should know


  • Without a will your estate will be shared out in a standard way defined by the law which may not be the way that you might want it to be. The Government does not consider your personal relationships after you die.  There are statutory rules sometimes leaving those you love and care for most with nothing (law of intestacy).
  • Unmarried partners even if you cohabited (sometimes incorrectly referred to as "common-law partners) and partners who have not registered a civil partnership cannot inherit from each other unless there is a will, so the death of one partner may create serious problems for the remaining partner.

  Personal and Business LPA
  • A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows you to appoint one or more people to make decisions on your behalf during your lifetime.  This is usually a family member or friend that you can trust.  They can act with you or for you should you become unable to do so yourself; during your lifetime. You can only do this whilst you have mental capacity.
  • A Business LPA is required in order for someone of your choosing to take over the running of your business.
  •  Deputyship is used if the person has already lost the capacity to make an LPA and someone has to request the ability to make decisions on their behalf. A deputy will be appointed by the Court of Protection. Unfortunately this route is a lot more expensive so it is preferable to make LPA's while you still have capacity to do so.
For a free consultation please contact Jan on 07717068098 or email info@willsandestateplanning.org.uk

"Very personable and efficient service. Everything was explained to me very clearly making it a smooth procedure from start to finish. I would highly recommend this company".   
          M. Kennedy, Flackwell Heath 
“If you are looking for a first class  company, we highly recommend this professional and very good value service. We would not hesitate to recommend to others."  
A. Goff, Stokenchurch

“Very compassionate and caring to my elderly parents when explaining the options clearly when preparing their Lasting Powers of Attorney.
 I will definitely use them again." 
M. Williams, Oxford

Services

Please see details of what we offer in relation to will writing and collaborative financial services and note that our services are bespoke and tailored to your individual requirements. We understand that this can be a sensitive subject and we respect and appreciate your feelings.  Plan ahead to ensure that your family are securely protected.
Advice and initial enquiries are free of charge. We also have a technical team of experts for consultation and document drafters all have STEP qualifications which is the most recognised qualification in the Estate Planning Industry.

Wills

 
Basic Single Will

Mirror Will

Family Will
Single/Couple

Family Protection Will
Single/Couple
 IHT Planning and Investments


Business Succession Planning

Probate 
 

 Powers of Attorney


Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
Business LPA
Health and Welfare 
Financial and Property
Single/Couple

Advance Directive
Single/Couple



Court Fees (Payable Direct)
additional registration fees apply
currently £82 per document for Lasting Powers of Attorney (Exemptions and partial exemptions may be available).
 

Trusts and Will Trusts

A Trust can be included as part of your Will and can offer increased asset protection for your beneficiaries.  The following are types of Trust Wills to provide for individual circumstances.

Family Protection Wills
including severance of joint tenancy if necessary
Property Protection Trust
including
Life Interest
Right to Reside
Flexible Life Interest Trust
Discretionary Trust
Disabled/Vulnerable Person 
Guardianship Trust

Need help setting up a trust to protect your assets?

With careful planning steps can be taken to protect your assets

CONTACT US

We would like to hear from you. Please email info@willsandestateplanning.org.uk with your enquiry or call 07717068098 or send a message using the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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