Having a will in place is more than just deciding who gets your belongings when you’re gone. It’s about exercising control, protecting your loved ones, avoiding paying more money in inheritance tax than necessary, making funeral arrangements, and ensuring your wishes are respected. And yet, over half of UK adults put it off or avoid it altogether.
If you’ve been wondering if it’s time to get your affairs in order with a last will and testament, this post will help you understand why you shouldn’t put it off. We’ll explore how having a will and getting professional advice from experienced will writers can increase your financial security, protect your assets, and give you priceless peace of mind.
Control What Happens to Your Estate
Perhaps the greatest reason to write a will is to control what happens to your estate when you’re gone. Your estate includes everything you own, including your home, money, possessions, digital assets, and any other assets. If you die without your own will, you will have died intestate, meaning the state gets to decide how your assets are divided, according to intestacy laws. The family members who automatically inherit your assets may not be the ones you would prefer.
A will is a legally binding document that lets you decide who inherits your assets like your home, savings, or meaningful items. It could be your children, spouse, civil partner, friends, or a favourite charity. Without a will, your estate could end up in the wrong hands or cause family disputes.
Give Your Loved Ones Financial Peace of Mind
Losing a loved one is never easy, and financial stress only adds to the pain. A valid will gives your surviving relatives peace of mind and provides them with the financial support they need while they grieve.
A will helps your family avoid uncertainty and potential feuds over your assets, bank account and investments by spelling out who gets what. You can also set up your will to minimise inheritance tax costs, so your beneficiaries inherit more of your assets.
Name Guardians for Your Kids
If you have children, one of the most important reasons to have a will is to choose guardians for them in the event of your death. A guardian is someone you trust to raise your children if you and their other parent are no longer able to.
The courts get to decide who cares for your children if you die without a valid will, and it could be someone you’d never want raising your children. Your will gives you the power to decide what’s best for your children.
Protect Your Civil Partner
If you’re in a civil partnership, they have no automatic right to inherit your assets if you don’t have a will. This can cause major problems if you’ve built a life together and share financial responsibilities.
A will lets you protect your partner’s future and ensure they inherit more than just your assets. You can also leave them meaningful items and shared belongings.
Protect Your Home and Other Valuables
Worries about what will happen to the family home and possessions when you die are common. A will gives you the opportunity to spell out the rules for who you want to own the property and reside there.
Choose Your Executor
Your executor is responsible for carrying out the wishes in your will. Not choosing an executor means the courts will appoint an administrator for your estate. This can lead to delays and extra hassle.
A will gives you the power to choose who you want to handle your affairs when you’re gone.
Choose a Trusted Executor
Your executor is responsible for making sure your preferences are carried out. If you don’t choose an executor, the courts will appoint an administrator for your whole estate.
Writing a will gives you the opportunity to choose someone you trust to handle your affairs and property. This is especially important if you have complex estate planning needs or specific preferences that require a person you trust to make them happen.
Document Your Healthcare Plans
As a legal document, your will isn’t just about distributing your your possessions when you die, it’s also a place to express your wishes regarding medical treatment or end-of-life care. You should complete a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for healthcare, but you can also include your wishes in your will.
Document Your Healthcare Decisions
An LPA for healthcare is the proper document for appointing an attorney to make decisions about your care. Including your wishes in your will gives us additional insight into what’s right for you.
How Graham Evans & Partners Can Help You
While you can write your last will yourself, with two independent witnesses to witness your signature, the best way to protect your beneficiaries, manage your affairs, and avoid mistakes is to enlist professional legal support from a solicitor. Our wills and probate solicitors at Graham Evans & Partners have been helping people plan for their futures for decades.
Our Swansea wills and probate service aims to make the will-writing process easy, stress-free, and personalised to your situation. You’ll benefit from peace of mind knowing your will is airtight and your possessions and investments will pass to your beneficiaries.
We offer:
- Will Writing – Making sure your wishes are clear and your new will is legally binding.
- Inheritance Tax Planning – Avoid paying more inheritance tax on your estate than necessary.
- Lasting Power of Attorney – Protect your property and well-being and avoid family disputes in the event of your incapacitation or death.
- Probate & Estate Administration – Helping families navigate the estate administration process after a loved one dies. We work to ensure your will is carried out, even for complex estates, and protect everything from your house to your digital assets.
Over the past 30 years, we’ve helped people from all backgrounds protect their assets and plan for the future. Our friendly team ensures nothing falls through the cracks, and you have complete clarity and peace of mind throughout the process.
Peace of Mind for You and Your Family
When planning for the future, it’s never too early or too late to take action. Writing a will is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to protect your loved ones and pass on your wealth. Your will is a gift to them, offering support, legal clarity, and rules for passing on your assets when the unthinkable happens.
If you’re ready to write your will and start planning for your future, get in touch with us at GEP Legal today.