Making a Will is more straight forward than most people assume and can cover finances, funerals and who looks after any pets however, If you have not made a Will before, it might seem like a daunting prospect. To help you prepare for your discussion with one of our friendly Will writing team, there are a number of matters that you can give consideration to help you plan in advance.

1.  Your Assets:  In order to assist you in appreciating what you have to include in your Will it is beneficial for you to consider the value of assets held solely by you, jointly with others and whether they are owned as part of a Business or Agriculture. We can also then give you advice on inheritance tax and care fee planning is appropriate.
2. Executors: The Executors are the people you appoint under your Will to ensure your estate is administered in accordance with your wishes. They also sign any documentation in connection with your estate following your death. They can be family members, such as surviving partner or children, close friends, independent professionals such as Clark Willis or a combination.
3. Guardians: If you have minor children you can make provision under your Will to appoint Guardians.
4. Funeral Requests: It is possible to state in your Will basic funeral wishes whether you wish to be buried, cremated or alternative and where you would like any service to be held.
5. Pets: As an integral part of the family, who would you want to look after your furry friends after you were gone?
6. Specific Cash Amounts or Gifts: Whether you wish to include any specific amounts (legacies) to certain people or charities and any specific items you wish to leave to specific people such as Jewellery, ornaments or family heirlooms.
7. Residuary Estate: Your Residuary Estate is the remainder of all your property not specifically gifted previously. You can either pass this to one person in entirety, such as a surviving partner, or divide it into shares.
8. Gifts to Children: If you are leaving gifts to children they would acquire the gift on reaching 18 years old. It is possible to raise this age level to 21 or 25 for example however the gift would be held on trust and may be liable to charges. We will discuss this further with you should you be considering a higher age limit.
9. Substitute Beneficiaries: It is common under a Will to stipulate what you would like to happen to any sums or gifts should the person you have left them to have passed away before you. This could be to that person’s children or to an entirely different person or charity.
10. Names & Addresses: It is always useful if you can bring the full names and addresses of any person featuring in your Will.

At Clark Willis, we are experienced at working with clients to prepare Wills and consider all estate planning matters, including inheritance tax. Our team includes members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners( STEP) the global professional association for solicitors, accountants, and other advisers who specialise in family inheritance and succession planning.

“Alex Spurr made the will writing process much easier than I had anticipated. He was perfect to deal with, professional, approachable and with a sensitive understanding for a difficult topic. He made sure I had all of the information I needed to make informed choices. I would definitely recommend them.”

If you would like to make an appointment to start your journey to writing a Will or discuss inheritance tax or estate planning, then please contact your local Clark Willis Solicitors office, in Darlington or Northallerton (01325 281111 or 01609 765765) or email enquiries@clarkwillis.co.uk.