Making a will

While writing a will is not always a difficult process, using a specialist can help ensure that all the important points are covered and no simple mistakes are made. A well-written, legally-binding will is the best way of making sure that your assets are distributed the way you want after your death.

• If you don’t make a will, the law will determine how your assets are shared out when you die (this is known as ‘dying intestate’).
• With a will, you decide how your assets are shared out to your relatives, to friends or perhaps to your favourite charity.
• You can make sure your partner is provided for if you aren’t married or in a civil partnership (as your partner will not inherit automatically).
• If you’re divorced or if your civil partnership has been dissolved, you can decide whether to leave anything to an ex-partner.
• When you make a will, you can appoint an executor who will take responsibility for distributing your assets according to your wishes.
• You can also make sure you don’t pay more Inheritance Tax than necessary.

Dealing with the legal, investment and tax issues of an estate often requires specialist knowledge that a relative or friend may not have. A professional executor will also act impartially in dealing with all beneficiaries – and offer confidentiality.

If you already have a will arranged through NatWest and wish to update it, you can do so by calling Hugh James Solicitors on 0330 024 2981.