Writing a will is essential for anyone who wants to ensure their family and loved ones are taken care of after their death. At Homeward Legal, we offer a fixed-fee, will-writing service from just £270.
While writing a will is crucial for anyone who owns property or has other assets, recent research revealed that more than half of adults in England have not yet made a will.
That means they risk what happens to their money, property and possessions when they die.
Most importantly, if you don't leave a will, your estate could be split or shared in ways that you do not want or have not planned for.
One call to Homeward Legal on can put you in touch with a solicitor with the expertise to write the will you want. Our partner law firms can produce a will in just 7 days to give you essential peace of mind.
What Is A Will?
What Is A Will?
A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your estate - money, property and other possessions - to be distributed after your death.
The document names all the beneficiaries (those who will benefit from the will) and appoints an executor or executors who will ensure your wishes are carried out properly.
Most wills are written by solicitors. However, there is no regulation in the UK in will writing, meaning anyone can write their own or create one on behalf of someone else. That carries a risk of legal or technical errors so the will may not be legally valid.
Our advice is to consult a qualified and regulated solicitor to draft your will and ensure there are no issues or delays in carrying out your wishes after your death.
All the law firms we work with are regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority, giving you the assurance that the legal work will be carried out properly and in good time.
Why Do I Need A Will?
Why Do I Need A Will?
Having a will allows you to make your own decisions on what should happen to your money, property and possessions when you die.
Most wills are straightforward. However, it's wise to consult a solicitor especially if your circumstances are complicated. This might be because:
- You intend to leave money or property to a dependant who is under the age of 18 or cannot look after themselves;
- You share a property with someone who is not your spouse or civil partner;
- You have a former spouse and children from a previous marriage who can make a claim on your estate;
- Your permanent home is outside of the UK;
- You have property outside of the UK;
- You own a business.
What Happens If I Don't Make A Will?
What Happens If I Don't Make A Will?
When a person dies without leaving a will, this is known as dying intestate and the rules of intestacy applies. These rules are set out in the Inheritance and Trustees' Power Act and mean the law decides who is entitled to a share of the deceased person's estate.
Under the rules of intestacy, only married or civil partners and close relatives can inherit from the estate. Writing a will is crucial if you want your estate to be shared only by certain people or specifically want to exclude someone.
When a will is ruled invalid - often because it was not written by a solicitor - the rules of intestacy also apply, making it even more vital to use a solicitor.
Can Writing A Will Help Me Avoid Inheritance Tax?
Can Writing A Will Help Me Avoid Inheritance Tax?
Having a valid will can help ensure you don't pay any more inheritance tax than you need to.
Inheritance tax is paid on the value of an estate worth more than £325,000.
Where a main residence is being passed on, a new rule known as a residence nil rate band applies up to a value of £175,000. That gives each estate a total tax-free allowance of £500,000.
However, if you leave your entire estate to your spouse or civil partner, to charity or a community amateur sports club, there is no inheritance tax to pay. Again this is another demonstration of the value of writing a will with Homeward Legal's expert help.
What Type Of Will Do I Need?
What Type Of Will Do I Need?
Your personal and financial circumstances will dictate the type of will you should choose. Here are the different types:
Single will: A will in one name only, this document allows you to:
- Name your beneficiaries;
- Nominate the person or persons you want to look after any child under the age of 18;
- Protect any inheritance for an under 18;
- Detail specific items to be left;
- Name your executor;
- Specify what should happen if a beneficiary dies before you.
Mirror will: Married or partnered couples often draw up mirror wills when they agree on how their joint estate should be shared. These wills are identical except for the names. When couples have different wishes for their shared possessions, they should each create a single will.
Trust/lifetime trust: When you have possessions to pass on but don't want them to go directly to the beneficiary, you can create a trust to be held on their behalf.
Registering a will with Certainty: Certainty is the National Wills Register endorsed by the Law Society. Your solicitor can register the will with Certainty to ensure a copy is held there.
How Much Does A Will Cost?
How Much Does A Will Cost?
Homeward Legal offers competitive pricing for all wills that come with a fixed-fee guarantee.
There are no hidden extra charges and no storage fee for the solicitor to hold on to the will until it is required. All prices include VAT:
- Single will: £270
- Mirror will: £474
- Trust/lifetime trust: £180
- Register a will with Certainty: £30
How do I make a will?
Make sure you take care of your loved ones after your death and ensure your possessions are shared exactly how you wish.
A single call to Homeward Legal on is all it takes to put you in touch with an expert solicitor who can begin drawing up your will immediately and put it in your hands in just one week.