Make a Will - HilliersHRW Solicitors - Solicitors Bedford and Stevenage

None of us knows what lies ahead of us, but we can take control of our affairs now. That's why it's important to make a Will.

When a person dies without having made a Will this is called Intestacy, they are said to have died Intestate. There are certain rules which dictate how money, property and possessions should be allocated which may not be how the person originally wished.

Why come to HilliersHRW to make your Will?

We have specialised in this area of law since our formation. To date, in excess of 14,000 Wills have been written on behalf of our clients. We can help you clarify your own ideas and make sure that your Will is 'crystal clear' in its meaning. This avoids any misinterpretation and minimises the risk of your Will being challenged after your death. Completing a 'Do-it-yourself Will Pack' from a newsagent will not alert you to the implications of your decisions and choices. There may be issues that you're unaware of, particularly with regard to trusts and children. We can talk you through the options and suggest alternatives that you may not yet have considered.

Once we have talked through with you all the legal and financial implications, we'll prepare a draft Will for you to consider and approve. Then, once it's signed, we will supply you with a copy and store the original safely in our secure archive facility. This service is free to all our private clients.

Three things to do before you make your Will:

Choose your Executors.
We recommend at least two, just in case one of them is unable to act when the time comes. Executors are your personal representatives, responsible for making sure the terms of your Will are carried out after your death. It could be a member of your family or close friend. You can also appoint one of our partners here at HilliersHRW and, in addition, we can help your executors to carry out their duties.

Decide who will benefit
You can make specific gifts of money, personal items or particular assets. You also need to state who will receive the 'residue' of your estate after all gifts have been made and all debts and taxes paid.

Calculate (approximately) the value of your assets
Include things like your home and other property (including overseas), personal possessions, savings, stocks and shares, life and pension policies, land, business interests and any other investments. Depending on the nature and value of your assets, we will plan your Will to minimise inheritance tax liabilities.

Making a Will also allows you to:

save the beneficiaries from paying unnecessary inheritance tax
appoint guardians if you have young children
express your wishes about the arrangements for your funeral
set up trusts to help save tax or protect beneficiaries

We recommend that you check your will at least every couple of years to ensure that it accurately reflects your current wishes and is in line with current legislation.

Please be aware that certain changes in circumstances can effect the terms of your Will. For example a marriage which occurs after a will has completed has the effect of revoking that will (unless the will is made in contemplation of marriage).

Other circumstances which may require your Will being revisited include:

Divorce or separation;
The birth of Children or grandchildren;
Moving house or buying additional property either in this country or abroad;
Any windfall or inheritance you receive.

We also offer a free Will review service. If your Will is homemade or has been made by a non-solicitor please contact us so that we can ensure that it accurately reflects your wishes. Badly drafted Wills or those completed without the correct formalities can cause considerable problems for your loved ones.

Contact:
Michael Culver . Stevenage Office: 01438 346000
Cathy Eaton. Bedford Office: 01234 858000

	Making a Will Probate Contentious Probate Court of Protection Power of Attorney Tax Planning Trusts	None of us knows what lies ahead of us, but we can take control of our affairs now. That's why it's important to make a Will. When a person dies without having made a Will this is called Intestacy, they are said to have died Intestate. There are certain rules which dictate how money, property and possessions should be allocated which may not be how the person originally wished. Why come to HilliersHRW to make your Will? We have specialised in this area of law since our formation. To date, in excess of 14,000 Wills have been written on behalf of our clients. We can help you clarify your own ideas and make sure that your Will is 'crystal clear' in its meaning. This avoids any misinterpretation and minimises the risk of your Will being challenged after your death. Completing a 'Do-it-yourself Will Pack' from a newsagent will not alert you to the implications of your decisions and choices. There may be issues that you're unaware of, particularly with regard to trusts and children. We can talk you through the options and suggest alternatives that you may not yet have considered. Once we have talked through with you all the legal and financial implications, we'll prepare a draft Will for you to consider and approve. Then, once it's signed, we will supply you with a copy and store the original safely in our secure archive facility. This service is free to all our private clients. Three things to do before you make your Will: Choose your Executors. We recommend at least two, just in case one of them is unable to act when the time comes. Executors are your personal representatives, responsible for making sure the terms of your Will are carried out after your death. It could be a member of your family or close friend. You can also appoint one of our partners here at HilliersHRW and, in addition, we can help your executors to carry out their duties. Decide who will benefit You can make specific gifts of money, personal items or particular assets. You also need to state who will receive the 'residue' of your estate after all gifts have been made and all debts and taxes paid. Calculate (approximately) the value of your assets Include things like your home and other property (including overseas), personal possessions, savings, stocks and shares, life and pension policies, land, business interests and any other investments. Depending on the nature and value of your assets, we will plan your Will to minimise inheritance tax liabilities. Making a Will also allows you to: save the beneficiaries from paying unnecessary inheritance tax appoint guardians if you have young children express your wishes about the arrangements for your funeral set up trusts to help save tax or protect beneficiaries We recommend that you check your will at least every couple of years to ensure that it accurately reflects your current wishes and is in line with current legislation. Please be aware that certain changes in circumstances can effect the terms of your Will. For example a marriage which occurs after a will has completed has the effect of revoking that will (unless the will is made in contemplation of marriage). Other circumstances which may require your Will being revisited include: Divorce or separation; The birth of Children or grandchildren; Moving house or buying additional property either in this country or abroad; Any windfall or inheritance you receive. We also offer a free Will review service. If your Will is homemade or has been made by a non-solicitor please contact us so that we can ensure that it accurately reflects your wishes. Badly drafted Wills or those completed without the correct formalities can cause considerable problems for your loved ones. Contact: Michael Culver . Stevenage Office: 01438 346000 Cathy Eaton. Bedford Office: 01234 858000 Back to top

Why come to HilliersHRW to make your Will?

Three things to do before you make your Will:

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