Wills & Estate Planning
Why make a Will?
Making a Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are met after you die. You might not have got round to making your Will yet, or maybe you’ve deliberately put it off – but while it can seem daunting, the process can actually be quite simple. It might be that you already have a Will that you set up years ago and haven’t thought about for some time. It’s important to review and update your Will at least every 5 years to make sure it still reflects your wishes – or sooner if there’s a major event in your life, such as the marriage of a child or the birth of a grandchild.
What happens if I don't make a Will?
If you die without making a will, you’re said to have died ‘intestate’. In this situation, your estate is divided up according to the statutory rules of intestacy – which might not reflect your wishes about who does and doesn’t benefit from your estate, and who deals with your possessions. Your assets are distributed after all debts, funeral and administration expenses, and any taxes have been paid.
What is a Power of Attorney?
A power of attorney is a legal document that allows someone to make decisions for you, or act on your behalf, if you're no longer able to or if you no longer want to make your own decisions.
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There are a number of reasons why you might need someone to make decisions for you or act on your behalf:
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This could just be a temporary situation: for example, if you're in hospital and need help with everyday tasks such as paying bills.
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You may need to make longer-term plans if, for example, you have been diagnosed with dementia and you may lose the mental capacity to make your own decisions in the future.
If you would like us to refer you to an estate planner about Wills, Powers of Attorney or estate planning, please click the button below.