Our advice to clients is that drawing up a will is good practice. Here are a number of reasons:

• Winding up an estate with a will is both quicker and cheaper than without a will.
• There is a common misconception that a surviving spouse inherits the whole estate if there is no will. This is not true where there are surviving children. The law provides a complex scheme of division of the estate between the wife/husband and children or siblings of the deceased. The only way to ensure that your spouse inherits your entire estate is to execute a will.
• A will can be an invaluable tool in minimising any Inheritance Tax bill with the use of special clauses aimed at reducing liability.
  www.inheritancetaxuk.com
• A will removes any doubt over who gets what and any potential family squabbles are minimised.
• A will can be used to provide very specific bequests eg antiques, items of jewellery or a sum of money to a favourite charity. A will can provide for people outwith the family such as valued friends or employees.
• If you have children under the age of 18 a will can set out who you would like to be guardian(s) of your children. The will can also provide for a trust to be set up to provide financial security for any children under 18.
• Check your "letter of wishes" in a Death in Service benefits scheme provided by employers. Any Death in Service benefits scheme should be reviewed on making a will because the will cannot override the scheme.
• We can now take instructions for drafting a will on-line - please complete our wills form.
• The cost of making a will starts at £50 plus VAT.
  
  As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations in 2008, we are offering a free Will service to anyone selling their home with us.
  
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