Will Writing

Attempting to make a Will yourself by using a DIY template found online can be dangerous and lead to issues further down the line.

You should always use a specialist solicitor for Wills who will ensure the document is drafted correctly and accurately reflects your wishes.

At Bowsers Solicitors, from our offices in Wisbech and March, we support the local community of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire with high-quality legal advice.

To speak to one of our friendly and professional Will writing solicitors or chartered legal executives today, please call 01945 583194 (Wisbech) or 01354 652606 (March), or email reception@bowsers.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can fill in our contact form.

If someone dies without a Will, their estate will be divided according to the rules of intestacy. These rules set out how an estate should be distributed according to a strict hierarchy.

Unmarried partners are not entitled to inherit under intestacy rules.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as ‘common law spouse’. Even if you have children together and live in the same house, if you are not married or in a civil partnership and one of you dies without a Will, your partner will not inherit.

You should review your Will every three to five years or when a significant change happens in your life that could have an impact on you and your loved ones.

Life events that should trigger a Will update include:

• If you buy a property.
• If you have children.
• If you start a new business.
• Marriage
• Separation or divorce.
• If you enter into a cohabitation agreement.
• If you move overseas.
• The death of a loved one.

A ‘testator’ is the person who writes a Will.

Some other key terminology used in Will writing includes:

• Assets: The items the testator owned when they died, including property, savings, investments and personal possessions.
• Beneficiary: A person receiving a gift in a Will.
• Estate: The name for all of a testator’s assets.
• Executor: A person named in a Will who is responsible for administering the estate.
• Guardian: If you have children under 18, you should name a guardian in your Will who will be responsible for them if both parents die.
• Intestate: Dying without a Will.

If you need to make a Will or update an existing one, get in touch with us today.

Our experienced Will writing solicitors in Cambridgeshire will guide you through the process and ensure your Will is accurately and clearly drafted to reflect your wishes.

To speak to one of our friendly and professional Will writing solicitors or chartered legal executives today, please call 01945 583194 (Wisbech) or 01354 652606 (March), or email reception@bowsers.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can fill in our contact form.

When making your Will, you should consider all assets that comprise your estate. This typically includes:

• Property (both jointly and individually owned).
• Money.
• Investments.
• Insurance policies.
• Pension schemes.
• Cars.
• Jewellery.
• Household goods.
• Personal possessions.

An executor of a Will is responsible for administering the deceased’s estate. Responsibilities vary, but generally include locating the estate’s assets, preparing inheritance tax (IHT) forms, applying for probate, selling property, closing bank accounts, settling debts, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries.

Testators must name at least one executor in their Will and can have up to four.

An executor should be someone you trust. Many people choose a family member or close friend, although you can also appoint a professional, such as a solicitor or accountant, to act as executor.

There are two main grounds for contesting a Will in the UK: if it is invalid or fails to make reasonable financial provision for a family member or other person who was taken care of financially by the deceased before their death.

Find out more about how to contest a Will in the UK here.