Have you made a Will?

A Will is the only way of ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes in the event of your death.

If you die without a Will, your estate is divided according to the laws of intestacy. These are rules laid down by the Government that set out who is the legal next-of-kin when someone dies without a Will, according to a strict hierarchy.

If you’re an adult in the UK, you probably need a Will.

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 as without one, your partner will not automatically be entitled to anything from your estate.

The laws of intestacy do not provide for a partner who was unmarried and not in a civil partnership to inherit. The only way of ensuring that your partner is provided for is by making a Will.

Solicitors for Wills Blackheath

However, despite their importance, figures suggest that nearly half (49%) of UK adults don’t have a Will in place, and one in ten adults in the UK have started making their Will but haven’t finished it yet.

If your Will is still on your ‘to-do’ list, this is the week to do it!

Update Your Will Week 2025 runs from 3 March until 9 March. An initiative of the Association of Lifetime Lawyers, the membership organisation hopes to encourage all those who have yet to make their Will, or haven’t reviewed it in a while, to take the opportunity to do so.

At Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, we realise that writing your Will may seem daunting.

However, our experienced Will writing solicitors 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.

From our 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.

For more information about our Will writing legal services or to speak to one of our friendly solicitors specialising in Wills, please call 020 8852 4433, email privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk or fill in this contact form.

To show our support for Update Your Will Week 2025, here, our Wills Solicitors look at why it is important to have an up-to-date Will.

1. Remains current.

Making a Will is a must. But reviewing it regularly and updating it as necessary is crucial to ensure it continues to reflect your circumstances and accurately depicts what you want to happen after your death.

Life is constantly evolving, and our wealth, family circumstances, and priorities usually shift over time.

It is sensible to review your Will every five years or after a significant life event, such as a marriage, divorce, birth, death, property purchase or change in your financial situation, and update it to ensure it remains current.

2. Reduces the chances of contested Wills.

A Will can be contested on two main legal grounds.

• Because it is invalid. This might be because a Will was incorrectly signed or witnessed, the testator didn’t have sufficient mental capacity, was subject to undue influence or the Will is forged or fraudulent.
• By making a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 (the Inheritance Act). People who were financially maintained by an individual at the time of their death may have the right to challenge the Will if it did not make adequate provision for them even if the Will was valid.

Failing to update your Will to take account of any change in your circumstances could leave it more open to dispute. For example, if someone was financially dependent at the time of your death, but you didn’t update your Will to allow for this, they could try to contest it.

Find out more about contentious probate by reading our previous blog ‘Frequently Asked Questions About Wills Disputes’.

3. Reduces Inheritance Tax (IHT).

Managing tax considerations is vital for effective estate planning. Rules and legislation around tax planning can change, and it is crucial that you stay on top of any relevant legislative developments to ensure you maximise opportunities to reduce tax liabilities in your Will.

In the UK, IHT is payable when the value of an estate exceeds a certain threshold (currently 40% above the standard threshold which is £325,000), although certain exemptions exist, such as the residence nil-rate band, which increases your threshold if you pass on your home to direct descendants.

Keeping up to date on current tax laws and updating your Will accordingly allows you to strategically plan your estate and avoid unnecessary tax liability.

Wills Solicitors Near Me

Having an up-to-date Will provides valuable peace of mind, maximises tax efficiency and ensures your wishes are followed.

However, specialist legal advice from a solicitor with experience in Will writing is crucial.

A Beverley Morris & Co. Solicitors, our Blackheath-based team of experienced solicitors has extensive experience in Wills, Trusts and Inheritance issues.

We regularly act for beneficiaries, individuals, executors and trustees and provide legal advice that is clear and easy to understand.

To speak with one of our specialist Wills and Probate team, led by Lori Harley and Tina Chan, please get in touch by calling 020 8852 4433, emailing privateclient@beverleymorris.co.uk or filling in this contact form.

For more information about our Wills and Succession Planning legal services, please click here.