A Will contains your instructions about what you want to do with your assets when you die.

Making a valid Will can relieve financial and emotional burdens on your family after your death. A valid Will can deal with all of your property and personal possessions, such as any jewellery, family heirlooms and other sentimental items you may own. You can also appoint guardians for young children.

Wills should be reviewed when you marry, or enter into a civil partnership or cohabit with someone. You should revise your Will if a relationship ends through separation. If you marry, any Will made before marriage is automatically revoked (unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage). The ending of a cohabitation relationship does not revoke gifts in a Will. If you do not want anyone to inherit, you may need to change your Will.

If you die without making a valid Will, the law determines how your property will be distributed –in proportions set by statute (Government made laws). Without a Will you get no say in how your estate is distributed.

Making a valid Will can avoid costly and stressful legal actions, since it gives you more control over the destination of your property than dying without a Will.

Although you choose what to say in a Will, the law specifies how you should say it. If your Will is not properly drafted and executed there is a risk that your Will – or parts of it – may be invalid.

At the time you give consideration to your Will you may also want to consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney or applying for voluntary registration of your land at HM Land Registry. In deed how you hold any jointly owned property is an important issue which we can guide you on and if required we will deal with the severing of a joint tenancy and other land related issues.

At Austin Ray we can help you by listening to what you want and what matters concern you about planning your Will. We can also ensure any property related matters are also considered and dealt with. We will then draft a Will or Codicil for you and then crucially ensure that you execute it correctly. In that way, you can be assured that you have an effective Will dealing with your estate in the way you want.

You may be interested to read the information on our website about Powers of Attorney & Court of Protection, Administration of Estates/Probate and Elderly Client Services.