Why Do I Need a Will?
Don t leave your family and children with additional expense and hassle.
People who die without a valid will, or intestate, result in complications and costs to their family and often gift thousands of pounds to the Government in what may be avoidable Inheritance Tax (IHT).
The Law Society says that anyone with assets and family or friends should make a will, regardless of their age. It is specially important if you are not married to your partner, because the law does not accord partners the same rights automatically of inheritance as spouses.
Assets which are owned jointly by unmarried partners on a joint tenancy basis would still pass automatically to the existing spouse under the rules of survivorship. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to assets and property that were not jointly held (although the Law Commission has of late proposed to change this).
Constructing a will is also essential if you have children, as you can nominate guardians to look after them.
It is essential to make a list of assets and liabilities and their approximate worth. Include your property, investments, savings, insurance policies and pension.
In addition, think about single legacies. Merely telling a relative that an item will be his or hers one day could cause problems later.
You should obtain professional advice on inheritance tax planning as part of writing your will. Easy measures could save the beneficiaries of wealthier householders thousands of pounds in taxation.
A key factor of creating a will is the appointment of executors to make sure that your will instructions are executed.
You should also review your will every 5 years or so and whenever your situation are changed by a important life event, such as marriage, divorce or a birth or death in the immediate family. Another instance would be after a house buy or move.
Whoever constructs up your will, make sure at least one copy is kept secure or deposit 1 with a probate registry.
Consilium Asset Management offer inheritance tax planning advice in Bath





