Most people know the importance of making a will, yet many never get round to putting one in place. A will is the only means by which you can be sure that the people and causes you care about are looked after once you are no longer here to do it yourself, and making one is generally a good deal quicker and less costly than people imagine. At BWS Law, our wills solicitors prepare wills for clients of every age and in every kind of circumstance in Loughborough, across Leicestershire, and further afield in the East Midlands.
If you die without a valid will, the intestacy rules determine who inherits your estate, and the outcome is frequently different from what you would have chosen for yourself. A partner to whom you are not married receives nothing under those rules, regardless of how many years you have spent together, and there is no provision for stepchildren. A will, by contrast, allows you to choose the executors who will deal with your affairs, to name guardians for any children under the age of 18, to leave particular gifts to the people and charities that matter to you, and to arrange your estate in a way that keeps the inheritance tax payable as low as it properly can be.
A will can only do any of this if it has been validly made, clearly drafted, and signed and witnessed in accordance with the strict requirements of the law. Home-made wills and those produced from online templates fall down on one or other of these points more often than people realise, and the difficulty is that the fault usually comes to light only after the person who made the will has died, when it is far too late to put right.
Our wills solicitors look after every stage of making a will, from the first meeting to the safe storage of the signed document. The main areas of our work include:
We start by sitting down with you, on your own or as a couple, to understand your family, your assets, and your wishes. We then advise on the best way to achieve what you want, prepare a will in clear language, and oversee its signing so that the strict legal formalities are met.
Your will can deal with everything from the appointment of executors and guardians to specific gifts, legacies to charity, funeral wishes, and how the remainder of your estate is divided.
Family life is rarely simple, and a will needs to reflect that. Second marriages, stepchildren, children from previous relationships, cohabiting partners, estranged relatives, and family businesses all raise questions that a basic will cannot answer. We help you balance competing interests, provide for everyone you want to provide for, and reduce the risk of your will being challenged after you are gone.
Sometimes, leaving assets outright is not the right option. A trust in your will can protect an inheritance for young children, provide for a vulnerable or disabled beneficiary without affecting their benefits, or allow your spouse or partner to remain in the family home while preserving your share for your children.
A well-structured will can make a significant difference to the inheritance tax your estate pays. We advise on the allowances and exemptions available, including those between spouses and civil partners and for gifts to charity, and on how your will can use them effectively. Tax rules change regularly, so we also recommend reviewing your arrangements from time to time to make sure they still work as intended.
A will should be reviewed whenever life changes, such as on marriage, which revokes an earlier will, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, a house move, or a significant change in your finances. We prepare codicils and new wills as needed, and we store your signed will securely so that it can be found easily when your family needs it.
Your will may be the most important document you ever put in place, so it pays to have it prepared properly. Here is what you can expect from the wills solicitors at BWS Law.
At BWS Law, wills are prepared by qualified solicitors who understand the law behind every clause, so you can be confident it will do exactly what you intend.
People in Loughborough and the surrounding villages have been coming to our firm for their wills for a very long time, and many of our clients first heard of us from their parents or grandparents. That continuity means your will, and the people it protects, are in dependable hands for the long term.
Our wills solicitors take the time to listen to our clients’ needs, concerns, and priorities. Appointments at our Church Gate office are relaxed and thorough, difficult subjects are handled with tact, and nothing is signed until you are completely happy with it.
We are often able to prepare wills for a fixed fee, which we confirm before any work begins. You will know the cost from the start, whether you need a simple will or something more involved.
Whether you are making your first will, updating an old one, or unsure what your family’s position would be without one, we would be glad to help you put things in order.
Call our wills solicitors on 01509 270288 or send us an enquiry and we will arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.
