Why Do I Need a Will?
February 23rd, 2010 February 23rd, 2010 Posted in Briefings, Doing Business, Finance TipsComments Off
Don t leave your wife and kids with additional worry and hassle.
Individuals who pass away without an up to date will, or intestate, result in costs and worry to their beneficiaries and often gift thousands of pounds to the Nation in what may be avoidable Inheritance Tax (IHT).
The Law Society says that anyone with possessions and family or friends should make a will, regardless of their years. It is particularly important if you are not married to your partner, because the law does not give partners the same rights of inheritance as spouses.
Property that is owned jointly by unmarried partners on a joint tenancy basis would still pass automatically to the living partner under the rules of survivorship. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to property and assets that were not jointly owned (although the Law Commission has recently proposed to change this).
Establishing a will is also critical if you have children, as you can nominate guardians to care for them.
It is critical to create a list of investments, property and debts and their approximate worth. Include your properties, investments, savings, insurance policies and pension.
In addition, consider making personal bequests. Simply informing a relative that an item will be his or hers one day could cause trouble later.
You should receive professional advice on IHT planning as part of writing your will. Easy measures could save the beneficiaries of richer homeowners thousands of £’s in tax.
A vital factor of making a will is the appointment of executors to make sure that your will instructions are executed.
You should also review your will every or so and whenever your circumstances are changed by a important life event, such as marriage, split up or a birth or death in the immediate family. Another example would be after a house purchase or move.
Whoever draws up your will, make sure more than 1 copy is kept safe or deposit 1 with a probate registry.
Consilium Asset Management offer inheritance tax planning advice in Somerset


