Why do you need a will?
Amazingly, only 30% of the U.K. population have a current Will which accurately reflects their financial circumstances and personal choices at time of death. Making a Will creates certainty, reduces worry and eliminates the significant problems caused by the lack of clear instructions on how your estate should be dealt with in the event of your death.
If you make a Will, quite simply your Estate will pass to the people named in the Will. If there is no Will then the Rules of Intestacy will apply which essentially means the law decides who gets what. What you may have wished for, or promised while you were alive, will count for nothing.
Some of the things that could happen if you died without a Will
• Your spouse or partner may not receive all of your estate or may have to wait a considerable time without access to it
• If you are unmarried, have stepchildren or people who you regard as 'family members', they may not receive anything
• Your estate may have more inheritance tax to pay
• Essentially, you don’t decide who gets what – the law does
• The wealth you have accumulated over your lifetime may go to the tax man rather than your loved ones
Trusts
The use of trusts can play an important part when seeking to protect your assets either during your lifetime or after your death, from either the taxman or the local authority. There are a number of different trusts available, the main ones being Flexible Life Interest Trusts and Discretionary Trusts. This can be quite a complicated area and we have specialist teams available to guide you through the process.
How can we help?
Making a Will is also the first crucial step in structuring your affairs in order to minimise your liability for Inheritance Tax and possible long-term care planning. We have a specialist Will writing and Probate department to help you to reduce the worry and heartache at a time of great emotional stress.
We can make sure you decide who receives your hard earned possessions…not the law.
If you are looking for a team of solicitors in Newcastle upon Tyne or North Tyneside to look after your interests or for further information about our services please call us on 0191 262 5133 (including Out of Hours), drop us an email or use the Call Back Form and one of our friendly team will call you back promptly.
We offer a Home Visit Service to areas such as Tynemouth, Whitley Bay, Blyth, Monkseaton, Cullercoats, Wallsend, Howdon, North Shields, Willington Quay, Newcastle, Heaton, Jesmond, and many more ... just ask!
Client Feedback:
Quick service, polite staff, got the job done. A big thank you.
Mr W of Newcastle
Already recommended to my neighbour. Mrs D Newcastle
Many thanks Jane for the informative talk at the carers group last night. The presentation was brilliant and the handouts were great. All those who attended thought it was well worth attending and gave them lots to think about. Priory Day Clinic - North Shields
Key Contact: Jane Hucknall – Principal
janeh@brennanslaw.co.uk
0191 2598240 |
