| Writing a will. 07:37 - Sep 16 with 2672 views | BanksterDebtSlave |
Can you just use someone else's as a template, change the names and file it away? Recently read my parents ones and they look pretty basic.
#morbidmonday [Post edited 16 Sep 2024 7:38]
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| Writing a will. on 07:46 - Sep 16 with 2604 views | BlueJudge |
Ok. If you are unmarried and have no kids, you should be fine! If you are married, with no kids, you can use a template to do a simple mirror will. As soon as kids are involved it becomes more complex. Guardians will be needed should both you and your wife pass away at a similar time. What happens if you pass away and your wife eventually remarries? Do you want your asset share to be locked for your kids rather than benefitting new 'stepdad' or 'step-kids'? These instructions can be added to the will in clauses if they are your wishes.
Wife and I recently revamped our wills. Too complex for templates due to kids/wishes. High street solicitors were too expensive. We used Co-op legal services. They were very good, very thorough, online process with Teams/Zoom meeting to ensure our wishes would be correctly documented. Very good value for money and a robust will as a result.
You can do your Lasting Power of Attorneys online on gov.uk. |  | | |
| Writing a will. on 07:51 - Sep 16 with 2588 views | bluefunk |
The problem is you only find out they weren’t very good is when it’s too,late to do much about it. Pay a professional to write it to comply with your wishes. [Post edited 16 Sep 2024 7:55]
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| Writing a will. on 08:12 - Sep 16 with 2521 views | BanksterDebtSlave |
| Writing a will. on 07:46 - Sep 16 by BlueJudge |
Ok. If you are unmarried and have no kids, you should be fine! If you are married, with no kids, you can use a template to do a simple mirror will. As soon as kids are involved it becomes more complex. Guardians will be needed should both you and your wife pass away at a similar time. What happens if you pass away and your wife eventually remarries? Do you want your asset share to be locked for your kids rather than benefitting new 'stepdad' or 'step-kids'? These instructions can be added to the will in clauses if they are your wishes.
Wife and I recently revamped our wills. Too complex for templates due to kids/wishes. High street solicitors were too expensive. We used Co-op legal services. They were very good, very thorough, online process with Teams/Zoom meeting to ensure our wishes would be correctly documented. Very good value for money and a robust will as a result.
You can do your Lasting Power of Attorneys online on gov.uk. |
Thanks for that. Miss Slave and I are unmarried but what's mine is hers, visa versa and Junior, a young adult, eventually gets what may or may not be left.
My main concern was whether any legal witnessing/filing was required but it appears not? | |
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| Writing a will. on 08:20 - Sep 16 with 2498 views | bluelagos |
Think I paid like £20 for one off the interweb. But you do need to get it properly witnessed so it's a bit more than just writing it and leaving it in a draw.
I left mine with a trusted relative and talked through what I'd done to ensure it was crystal clear.
And don't forget to sort the Power of Attorney thingys for your health and for your finances. |  |
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| Writing a will. on 08:24 - Sep 16 with 2482 views | bluelagos |
| Writing a will. on 08:20 - Sep 16 by bluelagos |
Think I paid like £20 for one off the interweb. But you do need to get it properly witnessed so it's a bit more than just writing it and leaving it in a draw.
I left mine with a trusted relative and talked through what I'd done to ensure it was crystal clear.
And don't forget to sort the Power of Attorney thingys for your health and for your finances. |
Just found it. Was £10 from lawpack.co.uk
6 years ago so no idea if still going or current price. | |
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| Writing a will. on 08:31 - Sep 16 with 2419 views | DJR |
| Writing a will. on 08:12 - Sep 16 by BanksterDebtSlave |
Thanks for that. Miss Slave and I are unmarried but what's mine is hers, visa versa and Junior, a young adult, eventually gets what may or may not be left.
My main concern was whether any legal witnessing/filing was required but it appears not? |
There's no need to file it, but there are the requirements as to witnessing set out in the following.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/wills/
As regards the witnesses, it is worth printing their names and addresses below their signatures.
The only thing to say is that as you are unmarried, the benefit of some of the additional exemptions given to married couples and their offspring will not be available when it comes to inheritance tax. Such exemptions mean that potentially £1 million can be left to offspring free from inheritance tax.
https://www.apw-ifa.co.uk/inheritance-tax-for-unmarried-couples-understanding-yo
Whether this matters, may depend on the amount of your assets, but if it does this could be something that it is worth getting advice on. And there are charities who may offer a will-writing and advice service for free, if you leave them something in your will. [Post edited 16 Sep 2024 8:57]
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| Writing a will. on 08:37 - Sep 16 with 2390 views | BloomBlue |
Yes you can, just remember a will is only legally binding when it is signed and witnessed by two independent people. They cannot be family members or someone who will benefit from the will and must be aged over 18 |  | | |
| Writing a will. on 08:37 - Sep 16 with 2386 views | homer_123 |
| Writing a will. on 08:12 - Sep 16 by BanksterDebtSlave |
Thanks for that. Miss Slave and I are unmarried but what's mine is hers, visa versa and Junior, a young adult, eventually gets what may or may not be left.
My main concern was whether any legal witnessing/filing was required but it appears not? |
I think you'll find what yours is hers and what's hers is hers!  |  |
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| Writing a will. on 08:50 - Sep 16 with 2338 views | nodge_blue |
| Writing a will. on 08:12 - Sep 16 by BanksterDebtSlave |
Thanks for that. Miss Slave and I are unmarried but what's mine is hers, visa versa and Junior, a young adult, eventually gets what may or may not be left.
My main concern was whether any legal witnessing/filing was required but it appears not? |
Ive thought that before. That there should be some central filing system. But I guess that's just too complex and wouldn't allow for those last minute rewrites etc.
I left a copy with the solicitor as we wanted a trust set up for our son and they also gave us some specialist advice around trusts. But I guess if you have no need for ad hoc things and want a generic everything left to your adult son, you could just use a template. |  |
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| Writing a will. on 08:53 - Sep 16 with 2325 views | DJR |
| Writing a will. on 08:50 - Sep 16 by nodge_blue |
Ive thought that before. That there should be some central filing system. But I guess that's just too complex and wouldn't allow for those last minute rewrites etc.
I left a copy with the solicitor as we wanted a trust set up for our son and they also gave us some specialist advice around trusts. But I guess if you have no need for ad hoc things and want a generic everything left to your adult son, you could just use a template. |
There is in Spain, and I believe France, which strikes me as being a good system. | | | |
| Writing a will. on 08:58 - Sep 16 with 2285 views | hoppy |
I did my most recent updated Will a couple of years ago, with a local solicitor during Will Aid - which is coming up again in November, so had it drawn up professionally, at a low cost that in turn helped various charities.
https://www.willaid.org.uk |  |
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| Writing a will. on 09:28 - Sep 16 with 2211 views | brazil1982 |
I updated my will last week, as I am getting married soon. I discussed this with a Solicitor - wills are essential if you have children and even more so if you are not married. Writing a will with a Solicitor isn't expensive and gives you the opportunity to ask questions. This time round I learned about "revoking" of a will - means unless a statement of revoking is included, all my estate automatically goes to my (future) wife. Not the same with unmarried couples.
The Solicitor will have the original in case of loss, fire damage etc - if the original can't be found it leads to many problems. Your witnesses need to sign at the same time as you.
When people die without a will, this can cause years of delay to the estate - especially if you are not married. |  | | |
| Writing a will. on 09:28 - Sep 16 with 2222 views | RegencyBlue |
The only thing I can advise is get it done properly.
My sister works with Wills and Estates and the amount of problems caused by incorrectly drafted Wills, or no Will at all, is absolutely mind blowing. It might seem like a good idea to do it on the cheap but it’s really not! |  | | |
| Writing a will. on 09:44 - Sep 16 with 2139 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Writing a will. on 08:31 - Sep 16 by DJR |
There's no need to file it, but there are the requirements as to witnessing set out in the following.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/wills/
As regards the witnesses, it is worth printing their names and addresses below their signatures.
The only thing to say is that as you are unmarried, the benefit of some of the additional exemptions given to married couples and their offspring will not be available when it comes to inheritance tax. Such exemptions mean that potentially £1 million can be left to offspring free from inheritance tax.
https://www.apw-ifa.co.uk/inheritance-tax-for-unmarried-couples-understanding-yo
Whether this matters, may depend on the amount of your assets, but if it does this could be something that it is worth getting advice on. And there are charities who may offer a will-writing and advice service for free, if you leave them something in your will. [Post edited 16 Sep 2024 8:57]
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Subject to any changes made in next months budget. |  |
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| Writing a will. on 09:46 - Sep 16 with 2130 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Writing a will. on 09:28 - Sep 16 by brazil1982 |
I updated my will last week, as I am getting married soon. I discussed this with a Solicitor - wills are essential if you have children and even more so if you are not married. Writing a will with a Solicitor isn't expensive and gives you the opportunity to ask questions. This time round I learned about "revoking" of a will - means unless a statement of revoking is included, all my estate automatically goes to my (future) wife. Not the same with unmarried couples.
The Solicitor will have the original in case of loss, fire damage etc - if the original can't be found it leads to many problems. Your witnesses need to sign at the same time as you.
When people die without a will, this can cause years of delay to the estate - especially if you are not married. |
I have always thought a will expired if you re-marry. | |
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| Writing a will. on 13:09 - Sep 16 with 1940 views | brazil1982 |
| Writing a will. on 09:46 - Sep 16 by Pinewoodblue |
I have always thought a will expired if you re-marry. |
Think it would just add to complications, I would urge anyone to have their will written with a Solicitor. | | | |
| Writing a will. on 13:14 - Sep 16 with 1908 views | bluefunk |
| Writing a will. on 09:46 - Sep 16 by Pinewoodblue |
I have always thought a will expired if you re-marry. |
Marriage invalidates a previous will. | | | |
| Writing a will. on 13:35 - Sep 16 with 1837 views | Pinewoodblue |
| Writing a will. on 13:14 - Sep 16 by bluefunk |
Marriage invalidates a previous will. |
Not always apparently. You can make a will in contemplation of marriage and if written correctly remains in force after marriage. Guess we all learn something every day. | |
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| Writing a will. on 13:38 - Sep 16 with 1825 views | bluefunk |
| Writing a will. on 13:35 - Sep 16 by Pinewoodblue |
Not always apparently. You can make a will in contemplation of marriage and if written correctly remains in force after marriage. Guess we all learn something every day. |
Indeed 😁 | | | |
| Writing a will. on 14:03 - Sep 16 with 1772 views | textbackup |
On wills, is there a way to word it that ‘if I die my wife’s gets everything, but if she then dies everything goes to the kids so her new bloke gets fck all of my possessions?!’
Always worried me that has |  |
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| Writing a will. on 15:24 - Sep 16 with 1681 views | blue62 |
I'd get it done properly. Im in the process of doing mine now with a local solicitor and for £300 or so it's worth it. They also store a copy for you.
They dont need to be overly complicated, mine is very much splitting between my two adult kids and a % shared between grand children.
If things change with relationships then it would need to be updated. |  | | |
| Writing a will. on 20:44 - Sep 16 with 1535 views | TractorWood |
Most wills are a massive loss leaders for law firms. Some will charge you a few hundred quid for a ridiculously intimate consultation and ensure the drafting reflects your decisions.
Given that a tank of petrol is £80 and it could ensure there is no contentious interpretation of your estate, I would heavily recommend paying for it. All law firms are required to disclose their fixed fees under pricing transparency legislation, so you can easily shop around. [Post edited 16 Sep 2024 22:32]
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| Writing a will. on 23:35 - Sep 16 with 1430 views | Freddies_Ears |
| Writing a will. on 20:44 - Sep 16 by TractorWood |
Most wills are a massive loss leaders for law firms. Some will charge you a few hundred quid for a ridiculously intimate consultation and ensure the drafting reflects your decisions.
Given that a tank of petrol is £80 and it could ensure there is no contentious interpretation of your estate, I would heavily recommend paying for it. All law firms are required to disclose their fixed fees under pricing transparency legislation, so you can easily shop around. [Post edited 16 Sep 2024 22:32]
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I had a new Will drawn up about 5 years ago, designed to be as futureproof as possible, even taking into account ages & health of potential beneficiaries.
Despite 1 expected & 2 very unexpected and early deaths in the last 3 years, the Will still works as drafted, but only just.
I'll be getting a new one done maybe next year, this time reflecting that, after myself & Mrs L pass, the likelihood is that there will be no direct relatives left. | | | |
| Writing a will. on 00:37 - Sep 17 with 1389 views | giant_stow |
| Writing a will. on 07:46 - Sep 16 by BlueJudge |
Ok. If you are unmarried and have no kids, you should be fine! If you are married, with no kids, you can use a template to do a simple mirror will. As soon as kids are involved it becomes more complex. Guardians will be needed should both you and your wife pass away at a similar time. What happens if you pass away and your wife eventually remarries? Do you want your asset share to be locked for your kids rather than benefitting new 'stepdad' or 'step-kids'? These instructions can be added to the will in clauses if they are your wishes.
Wife and I recently revamped our wills. Too complex for templates due to kids/wishes. High street solicitors were too expensive. We used Co-op legal services. They were very good, very thorough, online process with Teams/Zoom meeting to ensure our wishes would be correctly documented. Very good value for money and a robust will as a result.
You can do your Lasting Power of Attorneys online on gov.uk. |
Me and my unhonest Mrs had complicated stuff to sort in a will and also used co-op - also found them very solid. [Post edited 17 Sep 2024 0:41]
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