Wills & Will Writing

What is a will?

A will is a legal document that sets out what happens to your possessions after your death and names the persons you wish to give those possessions to.

As a will is only enforceable after a person’s death, it is advisable to review it frequently in order to keep it up to date in the light of changes. In this respect it should be borne in mind that some circumstantial changes automatically affect a will. Marriage, for instance, automatically cancels it, while divorce does not automatically cancel it but results in any reference made to the divorced former spouse being cancelled.

What Happens if a will is not made?

If you do not make a will your possessions will pass automatically in accordance with rules established under the law; The Rules of Intestacy.

These rules may not effect your general wishes; for instance you may not be aware that if you die before your spouse, your spouse will not automatically take all your possessions. In addition, while in a will you can appoint an Executor of your choice, under the Intestacy Rules an Administrator is selected for you who may not be the most suitable person to carry out that task or the person who you would have wished to deal with it.