Don t leave your wife and kids with additional worry and hassle.
People who pass away without a valid will, or intestate, result in costs and complications to their loved ones and often gift thousands of £’s to the State in what may be avoidable Inheritance Tax (IHT).
The Law Society says that anyone with possessions and family or friends should make a will, no matter of their years. It is particularly important if you are not married to your partner, because the law does not give partners the same rights automatically of inheritance as spouses.
Property that is jointly owned by unmarried partners on a joint tenancy basis would still pass automatically to the living partner under the rules of survivorship. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to any assets that were not jointly held (although the Law Commission has recently suggested to change this).
Preparing a will is also essential if you have kids, as you can nominate guardians to care for them.
It is critical to create a list of assets and liabilities and their approximate values. Include your house, investments, nest egg, insurance policies and pensions.
In addition, consider making individual legacies. Just telling a family member that an item will be his or hers one day could cause trouble later.
You should obtain professional advice on inheritance tax planning as part of writing your will. Simple measures could save the beneficiaries of more affluent homeowners thousands of pounds in tax.
An essential component of preparing a will is the appointment of executors to make sure that your will wishes are executed.
You should also your will every five years or so and whenever your situation are changed by a substantial life event, such as marriage, divorce or a birth or death in the immediate family. Another example would be after a house buy or move.
Whoever draws up your will, make sure at least 1 copy is kept safe or deposit 1 with a probate registry.
Consilium Asset Management LTD provides inheritance tax planning advice in South Gloucestershire