Don’t leave your loved ones with additional costs and complications.

People who die without a valid will, or intestate, leave costs and complications to their loved ones and often gift thousands of pounds to the State in what may be avoidable Inheritance Tax (IHT). The Law Society says that anyone with assets and family or friends should make a will, regardless of their age. It is especially important if you are not married to your partner, because the law does not accord partners the same automatic rights of inheritance as spouses. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to any assets that were not jointly owned. Making a will is also vital if you have children, as you can nominate guardians to care for them. The number of adults without a will is an estimated thirty million.

Many people may be tempted to take the DIY approach with many high-street shops selling “write your own will” packs for about £10. Yet a badly made will could land relatives with huge legal fees, dwarfing those charged to draw up a will correctly by a professional. You also miss the opportunity to implement some of the significant estate protection measures that we specialise in.