Why should I make a Will?

A Will is a legal document in which you state who you would like all your worldly goods to go to when you die. By making a Will, you can also ensure that you don't pay more inheritance tax than you need to. If you die without making a Will, the law will determine how your assets are distributed.

Do I need a solicitor to make a Will?

No. However, if you do not use a professional you run the risk of having an invalid Will in which the Intestacy rules will then apply. Using the wrong wording might mean:

your instructions are not followed
your Will is not legally valid
you inadvertently create trusts which were not your intention
a court may misinterpret your intentions

You also run the risk of not providing for dependents or leaving gifts that fall out side of the estate and therefore may not pass to your intended beneficiary.

What happens if I die without a Will?

The Intestacy rules will apply. This means that if you are married your spouse will receive the first £250,000 and a life interest in half the remainder (a life interest is the income from the capital only), the remaining half will pass to your children.

If you are not married then your partner could receive nothing. A surviving partner who was not married or in a civil partnership with has no automatic right to inherit.

How long does it take to make a Will?

Many Wills can be arranged with one simple appointment or phone call which takes around 30 to 40 minutes. After the appointment, we will send a draft of your Will within seven days, for you to make sure you're happy with everything. If you need to make changes, you can do so at no extra cost as part of our Fixed Fee Will Writing Service. As soon as you have confirmed that you are happy with everything, we will prepare the original Will and sent it to you for signing within seven days.

For more information about wills and probate, please contact our Wills and Probate specialists in Halifax, Huddersfield or Brighouse.

Download our leaflet on wills, probate, trusts and estates

Download our free guide to Lasting Powers of Attorney

Find out more about UK Intestacy Rules