Do you have a current will?  Does it reflect your will, that is to say your wishes, what you want to happen to all you have when you die? In fact do you have a will at all? 

Many of us do put off making a will as they see it as something “older people do” ; some think that by making a will they are “tempting fate”. Others know they ought to make one but simply never get around to it. 

The truth is without a will there is no guarantee that your assets will pass to the people you would want, or even expect.  Somewhat ironically, given a will is such an important document for your life and your family, the process is very straightforward and can be completed quickly and efficiently.  As well as providing reassurance that your last wishes will be carried out, there are also a number of very important issues a will could resolve for you including:

• The appointment of guardians for any children under 18
• Setting an age for children to inherit and providing for funds in the meantime
• Making provision for modern family dynamics like unmarried couples, same-sex couples, second marriages, step-children or step-grandchildren. Unmarried partners do not automatically inherit
• Correctly managing gifts to charities or other organisations
• Reducing the amount which will pass to the taxman

Having a valid will in place will simplify the administration of your estate and reduce the stress and worry your family may experience at the time of bereavement. More practically, having a professionally written will can also help to reduce the cost of dealing with your estate and significantly reduce the burden of inheritance tax.

As well as preparing a  will for you, we can review your existing will and advise on any changes needed if your personal circumstances have altered since you made it (for example you have married, divorced or entered into a relationship involving responsibility for children other than your own)

To find out more about how the first step to writing a will that can really protect your family, please call Robert Keyse in Wallingford  on 01491 523941 or email robert.keyse@hedgeslaw.co.uk  or Louise Nelson on 01491 523939 email louise.nelson@hedgeslaw.co.uk or Alex Stanier in Oxford on 01865 594260 email alex.stanier@hedgeslaw.co.uk today.