Wills and Succession Planning
Having a well drafted Will is important for several reasons as without one it is difficult to determine if your property and personal assets will pass to your intended beneficiaries. Writing a will is an essential part of the estate planning process and will ensure your wishes are carried out after your death. It is a way to protect the future of your loved ones and your assets. Even if you are married or in a civil partnership, without a Will, your spouse will not necessarily inherit all of your estate under the intestacy rules.
How our expert Wills team can help
At Beverley Morris & Co, one of our helpful, experienced team will provide you with clear and sensible advice on all aspects of making a will including inheritance tax, will trusts and protective property trusts to ensure that the whole of your estate is passed to the people you wish to inherit it.
Our knowledgeable Wills solicitors can advise you on all aspects of succession planning, providing a sensitive service tailored to your needs.
Local Wills Solicitors in Blackheath
With offices in Blackheath, we have provided Wills, trusts, inheritance tax and estate planning services to individuals and businesses throughout London and the South East for many years. We realise that writing a Will may seem daunting but, once done, it will give you and your family peace of mind. Our expert Will writing team will guide you through the process, providing you with clear and sensible advice to ensure that your estate is passed to the people you wish to inherit it.
If you have any questions on making a Will or you wish to make an appointment to make a Will, please call or email us.
020 8852 4433
privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk
Importance of Writing a Will
- A Will ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes, providing financial security to loved ones and making it easier for your family or friends to administer your estate after your death.
- Without a will in place, your estate will be shared out according to the law of intestacy which may not be in line with your wishes. Your family may be left with a long and stressful process which can also lead to inheritance disputes.
- With a well drafted Will and appropriate legal advice, your beneficiaries can benefit from paying less inheritance tax.
- You can appoint guardians for your children or others that depend on you.
- You can choose your executors.
Our Fees
We will always ensure you are fully aware of all costs involved and your solicitor will explain these to you. For more information, you can contact our team or make an online enquiry. You can also find more information on our fees and disbursements for Administration of Estates by clicking here: Our Probate fees
Our Wills & Probate Team
Our Wills and Probate team will be happy to speak with you regarding all areas of wills, probate, inheritance planning and trusts. You can find out more about our team by clicking on the links below.
Other Legal Services
We can also provide specialist legal advice on other areas of law that may be relevant when you are organising your estates such as Lasting Powers of Attorney, Probate and Estate Management, Family Law and Conveyancing.
Will Disputes
We have a specialist Litigation & Dispute Resolution team who can provide advice and guidance on Trusts, Wills and Probate Disputes. Visit our Contentious Probate and Trusts page for more information.
How may we help you?
When should I make a Will?
No time like the present…. Wills are not just for older people. Parents of young children should consider who will look after their children should the worst happen. Likewise, unmarried couples should ensure that they make a Will if they would like their partner to inherit their assets as they will not automatically do so.
Can't I just write it myself?
Yes, you can but there are dangers. By instructing a solicitor to write the Will on your behalf you will have the comfort of knowing that your wishes are correctly recorded and considerations such as inheritance tax are taken into account. We will also assist you to ensure that your Will is correctly dated, signed and witnessed and we can store your Will if you would like us to do so at no extra cost.
What is the process for making a Will?
We like to meet our clients in person to have a discussion regarding their requirements for a Will. Prior to the meeting, we will send you a questionnaire so that you may think about your wishes. After our meeting, we will draft a Will for your approval. Any changes that you require may be made at any time up until the Will is signed.
Is your office accessible for those with mobility issues?
Our Wills team is based in our Blackheath office. We can arrange ground floor meeting rooms which are accessed by a few steps. If necessary, a ramp can be provided.
What is a Will?
A Will is a legal document that sets out how a person wishes their estate (property, money and other personal possessions) to be distributed after their death.
If you have children under the age of 18, your Will can also include details about who should be their legal guardian.
Why should I make a Will?
A Will is the only way of ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. An up-to-date, well-drafted Will is essential if you have children, own a house or have a pension.
A Will is especially valuable for unmarried couples because without one, your partner will not automatically be entitled to receive anything from your estate.
What happens if I die without a Will?
If you die without a Will, your estate is divided according to the laws of intestacy.
These are rules laid down by the government specifying what happens to the assets of a person who dies without leaving a Will.
Importantly, these rules do not provide for a partner who is not legally married to or in a civil partnership with the deceased, to inherit.
Can I change my Will?
Yes. You should review your Will every five years or after a significant life event (eg. a marriage, divorce, birth, death, property purchase or change in your financial situation) and update it as necessary.
An up-to-date Will ensures that it remains current, reduces the likelihood of a challenge and may also be used to avoid unnecessary tax liability.
Can a Will be contested?
A Will can be contested on two main legal grounds:-
- Because it is invalid. This could be because of a failure to comply with the formalities for signing a Will or because the testator did not have sufficient mental capacity to make a Will or because the testator was under duress to sign the Will or because the Will is a forgery.
- By making a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (the Inheritance Act). Claims under the Inheritance Act can be brought by people who were financially maintained by the testator if the Will did not make adequate financial provision for them, even if the Will was valid.
Read more about contesting a Will here.
How much does it cost to make a Will?
When making a Will, it is essential you do not cut corners. Whilst it can be tempting to try to save money by making a homemade Will or using a template found online, it would be a false economy if it transpired that the Will was ambiguous, only dealt with part of your estate or was wholly invalid since this would cause immeasurable complications further down the line.
Seeking the assistance of a specialist Wills solicitor gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your Will is legally valid and that it correctly reflects your wishes.
The size and complexity of your estate and also the amount of detail you wish to include in your Will will affect the amount you pay for your Will.
At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, our fee for making a simple, straightforward Will is from £350 + VAT for a single Will and from £550 + VAT where spouses or civil partners wish to make mirror Wills.
If you decide to change or update your Will, or your requirements are more complex, we will be happy to discuss the likely costs with you depending on your specific requirements.
Speak to our team today on 020 8852 4433.
If you have any questions on making a Will that are not answered above or you wish to make an appointment to make a Will, please call or email us.
020 8852 4433
privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk
Wills Team
