Four reasons why you should make a Will
1. Who inherits? – You decide
Without a Will the government decides who should inherit your possessions, property and money through the Laws of Intestacy. Depending on the size of your estate, your spouse may have to split the assets with your children or parents, possibly forcing them to sell the family home. If you are unmarried or have step-children, your partner or any step-children do not automatically inherit anything from your estate.
In order to ensure that the default Laws of Intestacy do not come into play, it is vital that you make a legally binding Will where you can decide who gets what.
2. Appoint guardians for your children
Without a Will you have no control over your children’s future and it would become a matter for the Court to decide who to appoint as guardian on your behalf. This may be someone who you would have not have chosen yourself.
Within your Will, you can specify who is to take guardianship of your children should you die before they reach adulthood.
3. Reduce your Inheritance Tax liability
Provisions can be made in your Will to ensure that your estate’s tax liability is reduced, or possibly eliminated. This means that those you choose to benefit from your estate gain the most from your assets, rather than your hard earned savings going to the Government.
4. Make gifts to individuals or charities
In your Will you are able to state sums of money or specific items that you would like to leave to particular people or charities.
