Everyone over the age of 18 should consider making a will. While you may not have a lot of assets, money or possessions that would be distributed to family and friends after you’ve departed the world, that doesn’t mean that making a will isn’t very important. Some of the reasons why you need to make a legally valid will include:
- Having a will makes it easier for friends and family to sort things out when you die
- Having a will means the Government doesn’t decide how to distribute your wealth
- Having a will ensures that people outside your immediate family are included
- Having a will can reduce the amount of inheritance tax paid on your estate
These are four reasons why you need to have a will made. However, you need to make sure your will is legally valid, which means you need to make a will in Colchester with professional help. That means having a consultant with extensive experience in assisting clients with will writing assist you. However, you must bear in mind that there are often tough decisions that need to be made when making a will.
What is a Legally Valid Will?
There are three main stipulations to a legally valid will, one that will hold up under scrutiny in a court of law if required. In addition to the three stipulations below, it is highly advisable that you have an expert instruct you and discuss your plans with you. There’s often a lot more involved than you may initially realise. A will is considered legally valid if:
- It sets out how your estate will be distributed upon your death
- You sign and date it in the presence of two adults who also sign and date it in your presence (note that these witnesses can’t be included in your will)
- You weren’t pressured by anyone when making the will and it was made at a time when you were able to make your own decisions
The last point is a very important one, as a will can be contested if it’s believed that the person wasn’t in a sound state of mind when the will was written. This important point may affect many older people, so it’s wise to make a will sooner than later and avoid the stress and trouble a contested will could make for your family and friends.
How to Make a Will
Making a will is a very simple process and while time is of the essence, that doesn’t mean you should rush the decisions that you make. These are very important decisions that you’re making when writing a will, so give them the time and attention that they deserve.
The first step is, therefore, to think about your estate and who you’re going to leave it to. The second step is to contact a local solicitor and arrange a time to have your will written and witnessed – it’s that simple, why not do it today?
In conclusion, making a will is important for everyone, so don’t leave this important task to the last minute as you never know when that last minute will be.
