5
THE majority of the UK population do
not have a will, yet having a properly
drawn up will in place is one of the
most effective steps you can take to
protect your family’s future.
Having a will in place is not only vital to
ensure that your money, property and
possessions are distributed exactly how
you wish after your death – and that your
children are properly cared for by friends
or family carefully chosen by you – but
can also make the lives of those you
leave behind a little less daunting.
The effect of dying without a properly
drawn up will in place (referred to as
dying ‘intestate’) means that your estate
will be distributed according to the laws
of intestacy, which may not reflect your
personal wishes, and a guardian for your
children may be appointed by a judge
rather than being somebody that has
been carefully chosen by you to fulfil the
role of guardian.
Another equally important form of forward
planning that could make life a little
easier for you and your loved ones is to
ensure that you have Lasting Powers of
Attorney in place so that, in the event that
you become unable to make decisions
with regards to your finances or health
yourself, due to a decline in your mental
health, carefully chosen ‘attorneys’, can
step in and make these decisions on
your behalf.
Sadly, most people do not have Lasting
Powers of Attorney in place as they
leave it too late, taking the view that it
is something that need only been done
by the elderly or infirm. Crucially, it is
only while you
still have
sufficient mental
capacity to make these decisions that
you can put Lasting Powers of Attorneys
in place.
Effective estate planning need not be a
daunting, nor expensive process, and
can bring you peace of mind knowing
that your family will be taken care of in
accordance with your wishes after
your death.
We are all aware of famous cases
in the media where celebrities have
died intestate – with catastrophic
consequences – and, yet, situations such
as these can very easily be avoided.
THE IMPORTANCE OF
HAVING A WILL
HERITAGE ESTATE PLANNING
Do you need to make a Will or
a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Heritage Estate Planning offer a professional,
friendly service in your own home
Please call to book your consultation meeting or visit our website.
Tel: 079100 74611
email:
wills@heritagelegalep.co.ukwebsite:
www.heritagelegalep.co.uk