The death of a loved one is often, for many, the lowest point in their lives. However, for some, this is just the start of a long stretch of uncertainty and confusion when their loved one dies without leaving a will.
The Rules of Intestacy can be very complicated and are often at odds with the way that our clients live their lives. Did you know that without a Will, if you are not married to your cohabitee, then they are not your next of kin?
Your parents, if you are not married and do not have children, will be your next of kin and will inherit your estate. Your minor children, even if you never see them, are entitled to some or all of your estate. At Emmersons, our Will Writing Solicitors deal with many distressing situations for example; A client who lived with his male partner. His partner died as the result of a motor accident. He had never informed his parents that he was gay, and the house in which the couple cohabited was in the sole name of the deceased. The deceased’s family forced our client out of his home and changed the locks. The deceased was 28 years of age. A 44-year-old man was divorced but had not sorted out his Financial Settlement upon divorce and had not made a will. The matrimonial home was still owned by him and his ex-wife. When he died without a will, his ex-wife, who had remarried, inherited the house instead of his 17-year-old son inheriting half of the house. A 65-year-old woman had lived with her common-law husband for 30 years. Her partner died without leaving a will. His sons were, therefore, his next of kin. As his sons did not like the lady in question, they forced her out of her home, which was owned in the sole name of the deceased. It took two years of court proceedings and over £20,000 in legal costs to recover her share of her deceased partner’s estate. Please think about your loved ones. Please write your will. We know you are busy; however, our Will Writing Solicitors are here to help you. Telephone appointments are available so that you can attend to your affairs while sitting at your desk.
Our Easy Will Making Process
Making a Will is not as difficult as you think. Many of our clients felt that it was a complicated process to make a will and put off doing so. However, they found that the process is quite straightforward and can be dealt with quickly.
In order to speed up the process of drafting your will, we send you a questionnaire in advance of your telephone appointment with one of our Will Writing Solicitors. The questionnaire has been designed so that you have all relevant information to hand at the point that you wish to give instructions for the drafting of your will.
During your telephone appointment with one of our Will Writing Specialists they will discuss everything you need to move forward. You can then relax knowing that the next steps are taken care of by us. This may include a change in the ownership of your property and registering the same with the Land Registry. All you have to do is turn up, with proof of identity, to one of our Drive -Through-Will-Signing appointments. We can provide the two witnesses required. You can then be on your way within 10 minutes.
This is an extremely fast way to help you to sort out your affairs, provide you and your family with peace of mind and permits us to help you to plan ahead for the benefit of your partner and/or your children. Our initial appointments are without obligation. We also offer Free appraisals of existing wills.
Protect Your Personal Affairs With A Lasting Power of Attorney
Whilst you are sorting out your affairs you should also consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney. Losing mental capacity can be a very scary thing. It does not just happen to people in their 70’s or older; many younger people lose capacity much sooner due to such events as strokes and early-onset dementia. If this happens, it can leave you and your loved ones in a challenging situation. Someone still needs to look after your affairs. This may be the running of your business, banking, standing orders and financial support in order to put together a care package on your behalf. A Lasting Power of Attorney can; provide you with peace of mind knowing that someone you have appointed, that is, someone you trust, can manage your affairs if you are unable to do so. be used if you are simply unable to manage your affairs because you cannot travel to your bank through illness. At Emmersons Solicitors, our Lawyers have noticed an increase in clients requiring a Lasting Power of Attorney because they are physically exhausted from either general infirmity or illnesses such as cancer or severe arthritis. Their attorney can deal with the complications of modern banking or with claims for benefits which can be a huge sense of relief.
A Lasting Power of Attorney is Extremely Helpful Don’t leave things to chance; make sure you appoint someone you trust to look after your affairs. You will also be helping your family by allowing them to manage your affairs easily at what may actually be a crisis point in your life.
