Making a Will is not as traumatic as you might think it is. Many people would agree that to have a Will is a good idea but just don’t get around to making one because after all you are still here and a Will only takes effect after you have died – and anyway there is always tomorrow.

There are a number of very good reasons why you should make a Will. For those that you leave behind after you have died the Will can avoid unnecessary trauma for your dependants and relatives.

By making a Will you may make provision for your family and friends, reduce exposure to Inheritance Tax, appoint Executors and guardians for your children and clearly set out your wishes and any restrictions that you wish to apply.

It is always wise to review the provisions in your Will particularly if your Will is a number of years old. For each of us our life circumstances move on and the provisions that we would have put in our Will might now not be relevant. Your existing Will should be reviewed by you relatively regularly in the light of a change in your personal or in your business circumstances and also in the light of various tax changes which we seem constantly to face.

We can assist you to review your Will which might lead to your existing Will being given a clean bill of health or alternatively it might usefully be changed in the detail by what is known as a Codicil which is a separate document which would be read in conjunction with your existing Will. It is often the case that when you review your Will it is worth re-writing the document altogether particularly in the light of inheritance and other tax changes. We can give you advice and guide you through the maze of inheritance tax trust provisions which would be of use to you in saving valuable personal capital.

Following a Death

When somebody dies, even if no Will had been made, we can assist you by advising you and dealing with all of the administrative matters that need to be taken care of.

Consideration would need to be given to identifying and valuing all their property, money and investments, assets and other possessions. Before any distribution can take place all debts and any tax liability has to be paid. It may be necessary to obtain Probate so that an Executor is appointed to carry out these duties. We would explain to you the obligations and other duties that an Executor has.

For advice please ask for Iain Mack.

Iain Mack is a member of the Law Society Probate Section and is also a member of Solicitors for the Elderly.