Why you should write a new Will when you remarry

Posted on 19th February 2020

When you marry your existing Will becomes invalid, so creating a new Will is important. If you don’t make a new Will the laws of intestacy will apply, which might not be what you want.

Around four out of every 10 weddings in the UK are remarriages. Family circumstances are often more complicated when you have been married before, and if your Will isn’t clearly written this can lead to difficulties when one partner dies.

Putting your affairs in order

Posted on 8th January 2020

When people talk about ‘putting my affairs in order’, we often assume that they mean that they mean they’re ‘getting ready for death’. That doesn’t have to be the case.

In fact, everyone who has assets should think about what will happen if they are unable to manage them – for any reason.

Here are some helpful things you can do, to put your affairs in order.

What is a mirror Will?

Posted on 19th December 2019

Many couples would like to make almost identical Wills, or mirror Wills, leaving their estate to their partner when they die.

Often everything will go to their children when the surviving partner dies.

In mirror Wills only the name of the person making the Will, and the name of their beneficiary might change. This makes them a more straightforward and cheaper option for many people.

For couples, mirror Wills mean that when one person dies, the other is protected.

Should I write my own Will?

Posted on 12th December 2019

You can find templates for Wills easily. They can be downloaded from the internet and bought in stationery shops.

Before you decide to write your own Will, here are some things to think about.

Why it’s important to appoint a parental guardian

Posted on 23rd November 2019

If you and your partner have a young child or you are considering starting a family, imagine what would happen if you both died.

It’s a subject that most of us don’t want to think about. However, you can appoint a parental guardian in your Will and make financial arrangements to support your child.

What happens when Wills go wrong

Posted on 16th November 2019

When you write a Will you can feel confident that have clearly explained what you want to happen to your estate and that your wishes will be carried out.

However, it’s important to understand that words can sometimes have unexpected legal meanings.

It’s important to ask questions, because the right words must be used to avoid any misunderstandings or challenges.

Don’t wait for dementia

Posted on 29th October 2019

Have you noticed signs of confusion or forgetfulness in an older friend or relation?

You might find their slippers in the oven or forgotten bills in the bread bin.

These small lapses could be due to worries or a short-term illness, but they could also suggest that it’s time to take some important steps.

Express your wishes in a Will

Posted on 22nd October 2019

Two out of three people in the UK risk having strangers make decisions about who benefits from their estate after they die.

A survey by Remember a Charity has found that 68% of UK adults haven’t made a Will.

Many people put off writing their Will because the have made assumptions about when they should do it and who will inherit.

Here are just some of the reasons.

Does a UK Will matter if I live abroad?

Posted on 24th September 2019

As the summer comes to an end, you might start dreaming about moving somewhere warmer, where you can enjoy year-round sunshine.

If this is something on your wish-list, then you should consider making your Will before you move to your dream home in the sun.

Why you need a Lasting Power of Attorney

Posted on 17th September 2019

The good news is that number of people registering for lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) has increased by over 190% since 2013.

However, research by Direct Line Life Insurance has highlighted that many people still assume that their loved ones can make decisions on their behalf, if they if they are unable to make decisions themselves.