Wills Solicitors Birmingham
Sometimes it is the case that the law of intestacy will meet your wishes. Nevertheless, it often doesn’t. It is important to make a will so that your estate may be divided according to your wishes after you’re gone. Our family law team can give you expert advice in all areas relating to wills.
Making a Will in Birmingham
When making a will, in order for it to be valid, there are certain things you should bear in mind:
Executors
When making your will, you must name people who you want to appoint as your ‘executors’. These are the people who will administer your will after you die. Be sure to ask your executors if they are happy to do so, as the role involves responsibilities that may be time consuming, particularly if there is a trust included in your will.
Inheritance tax and your will
It is often assumed that inheritance tax only affects the wealthy. However, it can have a big impact on a fairly modest estate. Our family law team can advise you on the potential implications of inheritance tax, and ways to reduce it.
Keeping your will up to date
If your life changes in such a way that you wish to alter the way your estate will be distributed, or if you simply change your mind, it is important to update your will so that there are no disputes about what your wishes were after you die.
What happens if I don’t make a will?
Your estate will be subject to the laws of intestacy. This also happens when your will is not legally valid, which is why it is important to consult a solicitor.
Only a spouse/civil partner and some other close members of your family can benefit from these rules.
Disputes over Wills and Estates
The death of someone close is very distressing for family and friends. This can be even made worse by a dispute over the deceased’s will, or lack thereof. A dispute over the validity of a will may occur on a number of grounds, including: mental incapacity, undue influence, invalid procedure and fraud.
If a person was not reasonably provided for from the estate, then the distribution of an estate may also be challenged; whether through a will, or the rules of intestacy. Only certain categories of persons can benefit, such as spouses/civil partners, cohabitees, children, and financial dependants of the deceased.
Need advice on Wills? Contact our Solicitors in Harborne, Birmingham
If you need to make a will, our solicitors in Harborne, Birmingham, can help you today. Call us on 0121 455 8347 or click here to make an enquiry.