Making plans for what will happen to your money and property when you die isn't something that many of us want to think about. However, having clearly written instructions about what you wish to happen once you are gone is hugely important for your peace of mind and that of your family and loved ones.
When someone dies without making a Will, the law will step in to decide what should happen to your home, possessions and savings. In many cases, this won't reflect your wishes and can result in your desired beneficiaries failing to inherit from your estate.
The Wills solicitors at Masson Cairns can offer clear, professional and sympathetic advice when it comes to drafting your Will and all other matters relating to estate planning. Our friendly solicitors are locally-based based in Grantown-on-Spey & Inverness serving the Highlands and Scotland and regularly deal with clients throughout the Spey Valley, the Cairngorms, across the Highlands and Scotland.
As a full-service law firm with over 40 years of experience advising on the drafting of Wills, we can provide comprehensive legal support to meet your needs. Our estate planning solicitors will work closely with you to offer advice that is specifically tailored to your circumstances.
To discuss your Will, speak to one of our estate planning solicitors today, call us on 01479 874800.
Having a properly drafted Will in place enables you to make sure that the people that are most important to you are well cared for after you are gone, allowing you to identify loved ones and causes that you care about and how you would like them to benefit from your estate. You can also use your Will to make plans for your funeral and to appoint guardians for young or vulnerable family members and to identify the person you wish to take charge of distributing your estate. A Will can be used for tax planning purposes as well –this will ensure that as much of your estate as possible is passed on to your desired beneficiaries.
When someone dies without leaving a Will, this is known as dying intestate. When this happens, a set of standard legal rules called the Rules of Intestacy are used to divide up and share out property, money and possessions. This means that you won't have any say in what happens to your estate –even if you have told those close to you how you would like your assets to be shared, without a valid Will in place, your wishes will not be followed.
It is vitally important that your Will is regularly updated. Substantial changes in your life or circumstances can mean that your desired beneficiaries will have changed –for example, if you have got married or divorced in the time since your Will was drafted, or if your family has grown to include children or grandchildren whom you would wish to benefit from your estate.
Changes in your financial circumstances are another reason for updating your Will. If your personal wealth has grown, or if your house has increased in value in recent years, you may now be liable for Inheritance Tax when this was not previously the case. Changes can be made to your Will to account for this and to ensure your assets are best protected.
We advise clients to revisit their Will every five or six years and can provide guidance on what changes may be appropriate.
We pride ourselves on our reputation for providing a service that is uniquely client-focused, with our estate planning team offering support in a simple, straightforward and compassionate manner. We are always on hand to explain your options in plain English and explaining all legal jargon, and you will be kept up-to-date on all developments throughout your dealings with us.
Speak with a member of our Wills team today by calling us on 01479 874800 or by completing our online form.
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