What Preparations Should I Make in Readiness for Giving my Will Instructions

List all your assets and total their value.  This would include property; foreign property; life assurances; investments; pension death-in-service; National Savings; shares; unit trusts/investment bonds; business assets; bank/building society savings; house contents; inheritances; vehicles etc.

Identify who the beneficiaries are to be.

Identify who are to be executors (those responsible for distributing your assets).

Identify who is to be the guardian of any children under 18 yrs. of age in the event of your premature demise.

Decide whether you wish to protect your property from compulsory purchase under the Social Care Act in the event of you going into care.

If your estate will attract inheritance tax at the time of your death, decide whether you wish to limit the effects of (or eliminate) payment of inheritance tax, passing that saved sum on to your chosen beneficiaries instead.

Decide whether you wish to appoint Power of Attorney to give a member of your family the legal authority to look after your affairs if you become physically or mentally unable so to do.

Decide whether you wish to express your preferences to your doctor and family concerning medical treatment in the event of you not being able to make a decision yourself (Living Will/Advance Directive).

Decide whether you wish to arrange and pay for your funeral now by taking out a funeral plan?

Ascertain whether you have business interests to be considered in your Will.

Ascertain whether you have a need for any Trust e.g. disabled beneficiary trust; gift of property trust.

Decide whether you would like to take advantage of our Customer Care services, such as storage of your Will and any other documents (so that they are not destroyed in the event of fire or ever lost or stolen)?

Decide whether you would like to take advantage of our Will custody service, ensuring your Will’s availability when needed?

Call Legacy Legal Services

Will Writing; Trusts; Estate Planning

Tel: 0800 959 6171