Make it your New Years resolution to make a Will or update your existing Will
Research has revealed that over half of the UK’s adult population have not yet written a Will. This means when they die they will die ‘intestate’.
When a person dies ‘intestate’, their property is shared out according to the ‘rules of intestacy’ rather than distributed as they might have wished. These rules are fixed, and the only way to challenge them would be to make a Court application. So, people dying intestate are potentially storing up significant problems and stresses for the people they might have most wanted to benefit, who could end up losing a lot of money as a result. Those who could miss out on inheritance include unmarried partners, close friends, carers or relations by marriage. It is devastating to see people left behind struggling and subsequently having to apply to the Court for financial provision from an estate.
If you have not written a Will it can lead to arguments and bitterness. Writing a Will can save your family from falling out following your death.
To avoid being one of the thousands of people who die intestate in the UK you should write a Will.
So what are you going to do about it?
Make it your New Years resolution to make a Will or, indeed, to update your existing Will to ensure that it accords with your current circumstances and wishes.
Janet Porter is a legal assistant in the private client team based in Truro. If you would like to contact Janet, please call 01872 265100 or email private.client.truro@stephens-scown.co.uk.