Making a Will

Spectrum charges £175 +VAT for a single will and £300 +VAT for a mirror will.

Making a Will allows you decide what happens to your money, property and possessions after you die.
It’s not for you, it’s for the ones you leave behind and the paperwork they have to deal with. If you are married look at your partner and think would they know what to do if you weren’t here anymore. If you are not married but living with someone, is it ok that you will not be able to deal with your long term partners estate because you have NO power. If you are single do you want your estate to go to your next of kin. If you don’t have children again do you want your estate to go to your next of kin. Speak to one of our solicitors today.

Writing your Will

Your will should set out clearly the following:

  • who you want to benefit from your will
  • who should look after any children under 18
  • who is going to sort out your estate and carry out your wishes after your death (your executor)
  • what happens if the people you want to benefit die before you
  • When you need legal advice

You should get advice from a solicitor if your Will isn’t straightforward, for example:

  • you share a property with someone who isn’t your husband, wife or civil partner
  • you want to leave money or property to a dependant who can’t care for themselves
  • you have several family members who may make a claim on your will, eg a second spouse or children from another marriage
  • your permanent home is outside the UK
  • you have property overseas
  • you have a business

Keep your Will safe

You should inform the executor of your will where your will is kept so that they are able to carry out your wishes following your death..

Make sure your Will is legal

For your will to be legally valid, you must:

  • be 18 or over
  • make it voluntarily
  • be of sound mind
  • make it in writing
  • sign it in the presence of 2 witnesses who are both over 18
  • have it signed by your 2 witnesses, in your presence

If you make any changes to your will you must follow the same signing and witnessing process.

Keeping your Will up to date

You should consider review your will every 5 years and after any major change in your life, eg:

  • getting separated or divorced
  • getting married (this cancels any will you made before)
  • having a child
  • moving house
  • if the executor named in the will dies
  • Making changes to your will

You won’t be able to change your will after it’s been signed and witnessed, the only way you can change a will is by making an official alteration called a codicil. You must sign a codicil and get it witnessed in the same way as witnessing a will. There’s no limit on how many codicils you can add to a will. For major changes you should make a new will your new will should explain that it revokes officially cancels all previous wills and codicils, you should destroy your old will by burning it or tearing it up.

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If you would like to make a will or change an existing will please call us today for further information on 01653 916606.