TEL: 0208 991 3398

Wills & estate planning specialists

0203 488 3997

We provide clear and straightforward advice for individuals, families and business owners about Wills, LPAs and Trusts.

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Wills

0203 488 3997

We make sure your family, dependants or chosen charities are provided for in the manner you want and in the most tax efficient way.

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Lasting powers of attorney

0203 488 3997

We provide professional yet empathetic assistance for those who feel they cannot continue to handle their financial and healthcare affairs.

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Trusts

0203 488 3997

Through careful planning wealth can be passed on to the next generation in a beneficial manner which may also include potential tax savings.

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0203 488 3997

If you require any information about any of our services please don’t hesitate to contact us to speak to our experts directly.

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Top 10 considerations when making a Will

Top 10 considerations when making a Will

1) Who will be your Executors? Executors are the people who will implement the terms of your Will. You can choose family or friends but most people, according to the YouGov Wills and Probate survey 2015, appoint a professional executor.

2) If you have dependent children who do you want to take care of them? If your children are 16 and under, or will be dependent after that age you should state in your Will who will be their guardians should something happen to you.

3) Specific gifts of money/ items you wish to gift such as property or family heirlooms. One of the reasons for writing a Will is to state what you wish to leave and to whom. These items will be listed in your Will.

4) Residuary (the rest of your) estate – The rest of your estate will be allocated after any liabilities and specific gifts have been settled and distributed.

5) What will happen if you die before your partner? If you should die before your partner and your estate passes to them, should your partner subsequently go on to have children with another person and then die themselves, your children could be disinherited and left with nothing. As Will writing professionals we can advise how best to avoid these common situations

6) Inheritance Tax – The current Inheritance Tax (IHT) threshold is £325,000. Prepare a list of what you own to see if your property and assets are above the IHT threshold. We always work out whether you have a possible IHT liability and can advise of the options available to reduce your IHT if appropriate.

7) Charities – A Will allows you to leave money to charities. Charitable gifts are exempt from Inheritance Tax.

8) Funeral Wishes – You can include your funeral wishes in your Will, whether you want to be buried or cremated right through to the music you would like played at your funeral. This can save a lot of heartache for your loved ones as you have left wishes about what you want rather than leaving them to guess.

9) Lasting Powers of Attorney – With people living longer, over 2500 Lasting Powers of Attorney are written and registered every day in the UK. They allow you to pass control of your health and welfare and financial matters over to nominated persons should a time come when you are unable to look after your own affairs.

10) Registration and Storage – Unlike the Land Registry for property there is no government or legal requirement to register a Will but it is advisable to do so. This also applies to safe storage of your Will. We provide a secure storage service for your Will.

For help making your Will please contact us today, we would be happy to help.

ASHTON GRACE – Specialists in Peace of Mind

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