Wills & Trusts
Why should I make a Will?
Making a Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death. If you have not made, or do not have a valid Will, your property will pass according to the Law of Intestacy. This may not be what you would have wished. In any event it is likely to take longer to finalise than if you had made a Will. During this time your beneficiaries may not be able to draw any money from your estate and it can lead to arguments and distress for your relatives.
If you are single
You might want your estate divided amongst friends, relatives and charities of your choosing and in the proportions you want.
If you are married
Don’t assume “my other half will get everything”. Brothers, sisters or parents may have a claim. Often your children have a right to part of your estate. If you are living as a couple but not officially married, you may be treated as a single person and a surviving partner may get nothing at all. One thing you can be certain of – there will be arguments and disputes at a time when the family should be coping with the loss of a loved one.
If you are a parent
You should consider who you would like to look after your children in the event of your death. This is particularly important in the case of single parent families or unmarried parents living together. A valid Will nominating guardians is invaluable in such cases. If no one knows what you would have wanted, the Court will decide on the future of your children, and it may not be what you or your children would have wished.
If you are retired
Maybe you made a Will a long time ago. It probably needs updating to include additional grandchildren or deletion of persons you no longer feel you wish to leave anything to.
What happens if you die without a will ?
Why you should write a Will as soon as possible.
Dying without leaving a Will – or a Will exists but is invalid, known as dying intestate, the UK government decides who inherits your estate. The rules of intestacy determine the order of relatives who can inherit, starting with your spouse or civil partner, followed by your children.
If you have no spouse or children, other relatives like parents, siblings, or nieces and nephews may inherit. If no relatives are found, your estate goes to the Crown. This process can be complex and may not align with your personal wishes, which is why having a will is important.
See Rules of Intestacy Flowchart.
For further information please check our Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.
Trust Wills
A trust is a legal arrangement that can be included in your will, providing extra protection for your assets and benefitting your loved ones. Trust wills are most used in the following circumstances:
- You wish to protect your estate against possible care fees in the future*.
- You have a spouse or partner but children from a previous relationship.
- You wish to leave your estate to a disabled or vulnerable person.
Under current legislation if you have assets, including your home of more than £23,250, then you will be required to pay 100% of your care needs.
We offer the following types of trust wills to assist depending on your circumstances:
- Protective Property Trust
- Life Interest Trust
- Right of Residence
- Discretionary Trust
For further information please check our Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.
Brilliant Value
Wills
£300
£500 for couples. Save £100
We also offer a Document Storage facility with National Will Safe.
Trusts
£500
Right of Residence
£600
Life Interest Trust
£600
Disabled Persons Will Trust
£1000
Discretionary Trust
£1500
Business Property Trust
In addition to the Wills Fee - price per person
Miscellaneous
£30
Land Registry Property Check
£60
Letter of Wishes
£60
Annual Document Storage
£200
Update to Existing Will
£240
Severance of Tenancy
Our Miscellaneous services
Frequently Asked Questions
