Wills
If you die without making a Will (i.e. intestate – view the Intestacy flow chart here) your estate and guardianship of any minors will be handled by the state.
Which, even with the simplest of estates, might not be what you want. Someone would have to be appointed as your personal representative to administer your estate – either a family member or friend would have to put themselves forward to take on this role or the courts would appoint someone, which could end up being a professional able to charge your estate for their time and any costs incurred administering it.
Un-married partners
Intestacy can be particularly problematic for any partners not married or in a civil partnership, who also are not at liberty to utilise the transferable nil rate inheritance tax band.
Appointing Guardians
Many young parents don’t feel they have an estate of a value that justifies a Will, however with young children making sure your children will be cared for be people of your choosing should the worst happen is vital and reason enough alone to draw up a simple Will.
Reviewing your Will
Good estate planning goes hand in hand with your overall financial and tax planning and should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure your Wills cater to your current circumstances.
Your Wills should also be regularly reviewed to ensure they continue to reflect your wishes, current circumstances and ever-changing family needs. Your Wills should also keep pace with current laws and tax legislation.
Our recommendation is to review your Will every 5 years. A Will consultation with Straight Talk is free and we never recommend amends or updates unless we truly feel they would be of benefit to you, so you have nothing to lose by booking an appointment to review with us.
Contact UsWills & LPA’s process
1. Instructions Meeting
At a place and time to suit you we review your estate, discuss your options and take down your instructions. This can also be done online via Zoom or Skype.
2. Drafts Review
Your draft wills / LPA(s) are reviewed with you in person or via Zoom / Skype. Once we have your approval, we produce your originals.
3. Signing
A short final meeting to sign and witness your final documentation. And that’s it. Simple, stress free and effective.