Making a Will
Don t leave your wife and kids with extra expense and hassle.
Individuals who die without an up to date will, or intestate, leave costs and complications to their families 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 years. It is specially important if you are not married to your partner, because the law does not accord partners the same rights automatically of inheritance as spouses.
Assets which are owned jointly by unmarried partners on a joint tenancy basis would still pass automatically to the living spouse under the rules of survivorship. Under the current intestacy rules, an unmarried partner has no rights to assets or property that were not jointly owned (although the Law Commission has of late proposed to change this).
Creating a will is also vital if you have kids, as you can nominate guardians to look after them.
It is critical to produce a list of assets and liabilities and their approximate worth. Include your property, investments, savings, insurance policies and pensions.
In addition, consider details of individual legacies. Just telling a family member that an item will be his or hers one day could cause problems later.
You should receive professional advice on estate planning as part of writing your will. Simple steps could save the beneficiaries of more prosperous householders thousands of £’s in taxation.
An important element of building a will is the naming of executors to ensure that your will wishes are executed.
You should also update your will every or so and whenever your circumstances are altered by a substantial life event, such as marriage, divorce or a birth or death in the immediate family. Another instance would be after a house buy or move.
Whoever prepares up your will, make sure more than 1 copy is kept secure or deposit 1 with a probate registry.
Consilium Asset Management LTD offer inheritance tax planning advice in Bristol