If your loved one has not left a Will, the law dictates who will inherit their estate and we will be able to explain what this entails.
Of course, to avoid any uncertainty as to who inherits your estate and to make sure that those people you care about inherit your assets, you should make a Will. We can help you with this process to avoid any problems for those closest to you when you pass away.
Even if you and your partner have lived together for a long period of time, your partner is not automatically entitled to a share of your estate. It is therefore advisable to make a Will and provide for your partner in the event of your death.
When someone passes away and does not leave a Will, their estate must be shared out according to certain rules. These are called the rules of intestacy.
Under the rules of intestacy, married partners or civil partners will inherit the first £322,000.00 of the estate, all personal possessions and one half of the remaining estate.
The remainder of the estate will be shared by surviving children and the children of any sons or daughters who have pre-deceased their parent.
Understanding what you may and may not be entitled to can be complex. For more information, please contact our offices.
You can amend your Will by making an official alteration called a codicil, although it is sometimes more logical to make a new Will, especially if there are numerous changes you would like to make.
You may not know that if you are no longer able to make your own decisions about your finances, or about your own welfare, your family and friends will not be able to help you if you have not made a Power of Attorney. We can help with this and with an application to the Court of Protection if your loved one is not able to make their own decisions any longer.