WILLS

There are two main types of will and the one right for you will depend on your particular circumstances. 

MIRROR WILLS

Mirror Wills are designed for couples who have almost identical wishes. Two separate documents will be produced, one for each person, but the contents of the wills 'mirror' each other. You do not have to be married or in a civil partnership to make a Mirror Will, and it's often more cost-effective for couples to choose Mirror Wills. There is still flexibility to make very personal decisions, such as your funeral arrangements.

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However, if you and your partner do not share the same wishes, you should both consider making Single Wills. For example, it may be that one person is the sole owner of a property and wants to leave it to a family member.

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It's also important to note that, with Mirror Wills, either person can change their Will without the other person knowing, or after the first person has died. This means that you cannot be 100% certain of the other person's Will remaining the same.

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A SINGLE WILL

A Single Will is suitable for any individual person who is looking to record their wishes. It's often presumed that Single Wills are for people who are not in a relationship or who are divorced. This is not necessarily true. You can make a Single Will if you are married, in a civil partnership or in a relationship, and in fact it will be the best option if your partner already has a Will or has different wishes to yourself.

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However, if you and your partner are looking to create very similar Wills, it is worth you exploring the option of Mirror Wills. Furthermore, a Single Will may not be appropriate if you are married but have children from a previous relationship, or you want to put provisions in place for loved ones who are vulnerable. In these circumstances, you should consider a Trust Will.

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Frequently asked questions

Why do you need a Will?

The vast majority of people put off making a Will for a variety of reasons, including believing that the people they would wish to inherit will automatically do so, or because they don’t think it is relevant to them at this particular time. The reality is that you can put off making a Will until it is too late and this poses all sorts of problems for the people left behind and could mean that some, or all of your inheritance, either goes to the wrong person or to the state.



What if I don't make a Will?

This is called having died Intestate. There are specific rules of intestacy which set out who will inherit and by how much, if you do not leave behind a valid Will. If you do not make a Will, it can take months or even years to sort matters out, adding to your loved one's problems and anxiety, and the outcome may not be what you expected. Without a Will: -You cannot be sure those you would wish to benefit will actually do so -Your spouse / civil partner will not automatically inherit ALL of your estate -“Common Law” partners may not receive anything -Minor children could be taken into care whilst Guardians are appointed -There could be lengthy delays for your beneficiaries and disputes The following people would not inherit: -unmarried partners -relations by marriage -close friends -carers -unmarried partners not in a civil relationship



How do I start making a Will?

If your family is quite small and you want to leave everything to them, making your will is quite easy. If your situation is more complicated – for example, if you have a second family or you want to leave money and gifts to lots of people – you’ll need to plan more carefully. Either way, don’t put it off – make sure that what you leave behind passes to the people you intended. Start planning your will now.



Who needs a Will?

Everyone needs to make a Will. In particular, anyone with dependant relatives must do so. Anyone who owns a property or has any type of asset which you would wish relatives, friends or charities to benefit from should also make a Will. Additionally, if any of the following apply to you, you will need to make a will: -You are married -You have children from a previous relationship -You have new grandchildren -You have a partner -You don't want the state to decide who inherits from you