Wills
Will Writing in London For You: Online & Face to Face
Why do I need a Will?
In life, we all want to be as helpful and supportive to our families as possible. And that’s why you need a Will.
Having an up to date and professionally written Will means that the people you’re giving money to (your beneficiaries) won’t pay more Inheritance Tax than they need to. There won’t be any difficulties with your Will and – also key – your money, possessions and property are distributed according to your wishes, so your loved ones are properly cared for after your passing
You should make a Will as soon as you can so:
- You can make sure that the people you want to get your estate Will do so
- You can choose and appoint the people you trust to deal with your estate
- Personal possessions can be passed within the family
- You can choose and appoint guardians for your children
- You can make sure that, if your spouse has predeceased you, your assets Will benefit your children
- If you have overseas assets, they are correctly dealt with in most jurisdictions
- Your assets can be preserved and protected for your children, ensuring that “family assets” stay in the family
- You can make gifts to godchildren, charity and friends
- Your specific funeral wishes can be included
- You can put in place Trusts of property and assets
- You can give away your home to your children or grandchildren and take advantage of the “resident nil rate band” worth at least £175,000
- Shares in your business partnership can be gifted to the other director/s and an option to purchase can be included
- You can mitigate against Inheritance Tax
- You can know your estate planning is in safe hands
- You can deal with digital assets, like crypto currency / Bitcoin / social media accounts
To discuss your Will, get legal advice or information on any of my legal services, please call me on 0203 935 9490 or email richard@mortlakelaw.co.uk.
Will writing London: What are Wills?
Wills are documents, formally called your Last Will and Testament, which include information on who should get your money, property and possessions when you die. They also detail who is in charge of following the instructions you leave in your Will. This person is called the Executor of your Will.
Although writing a Will is one of life’s important decisions it is surprising how few people actually get round to it. It is estimated that over 30 million adults (60%) in the UK have not made a Will. Are you one of them?
If you’ve got a Will – well done. If not, do you know what happens if you die without making a Will? There are many myths around Wills and what happens to your money when you die. The truth may shock you so please read on, check out my Will FAQs and start writing your Will today.
These days, there’s no need to avoid making a Will. It’s simple, quick and good value for money given what it provides: peace of mind that your loved ones will be well looked after. Don’t put it off any longer. Just get it done. You can even do it from the comfort of your own home!
Use my secure Arken Acquire Fact Find form to make a start today
Quick, low-cost Will writing service
My Will writing service offers the best of both worlds, so you can benefit from my knowledge and expertise and save yourself money!
Use my Arken Acquire Digital Fact Find form and I’ll be with you every step of the way. You can input all your personal information during your digital fact find and then I will make sure the final document is drafted correctly and legally in the light of your circumstances and wishes.
Once you have submitted your information it will be fed into my system software, it is a secure, fully up-to-date, legally compliant document generation solution for people who want:
- Wills
- Expression of wishes
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Severance of joint tenancy
- Advance Directives regarding medical treatment [“Living Will”]
I offer a Will writing service with fixed prices and a fast service, whether it be from our office, your home, hospital or care home. You’ll end up with accurate documentation that reflects what you want, no matter how complex.
It’s really simple and straightforward to use this service. My form will will prompt you to give me the information I need to prepare your Will. The prompts are written in plain English, so you will understand what you are being asked at every stage, and I am always here to help if you have concerns or questions. We use encryption for extra security. Each document comes with a plain English commentary and each will is automatically registered with the National Wills Register all included in a fixed price.
Click here to get a quick, legal and professional Will from the comfort of your own home.
Dying intestate
If you die intestate (without a Will) your property and valuables may not go to the people who you most want to inherit. What’s more, it will be difficult to administer your estate and your estate could end up paying large amounts of money through tax; money which would otherwise go to your loved ones.
Simply type the information I need into our automated system, press SEND and I can create your Will for you quickly and easily.
There are clear instructions throughout, and I am always at the end of the phone if you need me for anything. Once you’ve completed the form, I will check it, ask questions if anything is unclear, and will then draft your Will for you.!
Wills and COVID-19
Unlike many other professional Will writers, I have many years’ experience of visiting nursing homes, care homes, hospitals and private homes to produce Wills.
I can make a home visit (socially distanced of course), will input your wishes directly into your Will, and can edit and print out your Will from my car!
I’m here to help you, backed by over 40 years’ legal experience covering most areas of law.
My digital Will writing service is quick, providing you with a legal and professional Will from the comfort of your own home
If you would prefer to talk to me about your Will feel free to call me on 0203 935 9490. Or, you can book a consultation with me to discuss face to face at your leisure.
Making a Will? Some things you’ll need to consider
It’s a good idea to think these questions through before you start writing your Will.
- Who will act as your executor(s)? (a family member or friend?)
- Do you have any specific funeral directions?
- Do you wish to give any gifts of money or particular items such as a car or jewellery?
- Have any children from previous relationships been adequately provided for?
- Who is to receive the remainder of your estate (“the residue”)?
- If you own shares and/or run a business, you may need to consider how to dispose of shares and whether to appoint a business executor
- If your estate is worth over £325,000 you may like to consider making a Will to mitigate or avoid Inheritance Tax charged generally at 40% on the value above.
For more information on Wills and Inheritance Tax please contact me today on 0203 935 9490.
How long does drafting a Will take?
For more complex affairs, an initial meeting (remotely or in person) will clarify what is needed, as well as offering more accurate information on timescale and cost.
When do I need to update my Will?
You may want to make or update a Will in the following circumstances:
- If you’re getting married
- If you have children
- If you get divorced or separate from your partner
- If you move home or buy a home
- If you start a business
- If a Beneficiary dies
- If an Executor dies
With your agreement I will retain your details and the fact find of your assets and liabilities for future reference. This means that it will be easier and quicker if you want to amend or renew your Will.
Gifting to minors
Gifts to minors and young people
When considering a gift to a minor or young person you should consider whether you want the individual to receive the gift straight away or at a later date. If the gift is to be received straight away it is known as a vested gift that imposes no conditions; the beneficiary will be entitled immediately if they outlive you.
If the beneficiary is a minor (under 18) the money will be held on trust by the executors until they reach the age of 18. Once the beneficiary is 18, they inherit the money immediately.
If the beneficiary dies before reaching the age of 18 the money forms part of their estate.
If you want to specify an older age at which your beneficiary would inherit money this is known as a contingent gift as it will impose conditions before the gift can be inherited. Contingent gifts can have tax implications so please seek advice on this.
How much does it cost to make a Will?
- A simple Will can be made for a fixed fee from as little as £250 with no VAT.
- My fees for making a Will for a couple rarely exceed £350
- My fees for making a complicated Will which may involve a business, foreign assets or shares start from around £400, £500 for a couple.
- Making a Will plus Inheritance Tax advice starts from £500, £750 per couple
What is included in your fee?
- Written inventory of your assets with instructions to your executors regarding passwords/digital assets
- Clear written signed instructions which come with the Will authorised and regulated in England and Wales
- Encryption of any draft Will I send you, for security and data protection
- Hand delivery of your final Will if you live within London Borough of Richmond upon Thames or Kingston upon Thames
- A commentary on your Will in plain English
- A fast and efficient service with emails and phone calls responded to within 24 hours
- Witnessing of your Will if required. (Extra fee to be agreed)
- Advice on storage of your Will and registration at the Government probate service for small extra cost (under £50)
- Expedited service for a small additional fee whereby your Will is prepared in final form on the same day or within 24 hours
- Our Professional Indemnity insurance
A review of your Will is a really good idea especially with increases to Nil Rate Residency Band levels (£175,000) and the resulting inheritance tax relief that brings this financial year 2020/2021.
For Will Writing in London call 0203 935 9490 for a no obligation discussion about Wills
Will Myth Busters
“If I die without a Will, my spouse or partner will just get everything”
Wrong. In these cases, an intestate’s surviving spouse or civil partner receives £270,000, all personal goods and an absolute interest in half of the remainder.
The deceased’s children share the other half.
This would be very unusual to do this in a Will, not least, because children do not benefit from an Inheritance Tax exemption as spouses/civil partners do.
“My common law spouse will inherit the lot!”
Contrary to popular belief “common law spouse” is not a recognised legal term.
Cohabitees and unmarried partners do not have an automatic right to inherit from someone’s estate upon death. That means they might claim against your estate and the value would be reduced by expensive and stressful litigation.
“My affairs are not complicated so why bother?”
With a rise in Divorce rates, second or even third marriages and children from previous relationships, a family’s personal affairs are getting more and more complicated. Many people are unaware that marriage revokes a Will! It’s vital that all your legal documents are legally binding and appropriate for your personal circumstances.
“I have a child/children – so surely they just get everything?”
Under the ancient laws of intestacy, if you and your spouse both die, your children inherit. However, who is going to look after them and your property/ money in the meantime?
It is essential for you to nominate the future guardians of your children if, as Oscar Wilde would have put it, they are careless enough to lose both parents.
“My favourite charity will inherit if no near- relatives survive me”
If you fail to leave a Will, and have no near relatives to inherit, your entire estate goes to the Crown.
It is not unknown for widows to be forced to sell the family home due to the operation of the intestacy rules and, without proper provision, children could end up being taken into care.
Intestacy laws take no account of common-law partners, stepchildren or many other important personal relationships. A remote cousin could get everything in priority to a fondly loved stepchild. The Crown could even get your house in priority to a common law partner you’ve lived with for decades.
“I want to make a Will. Surely, it’s easy, I can do it myself.”
A Will is a legal document that needs proper consideration and advice from a lawyer to ensure it is valid and can be relied upon. The legal requirements for making a Will, including witnessing, are generally extremely strict. There are some exceptions allowed save for service men and women, but these are extremely limited.
“I want to write a Will, but don’t have the time and don’t want to go to an office”
I will come to you, either at your home or other venue that suits you, at a time convenient to you. Not many solicitors offer that sort of service!
I can also take your instructions in a phone call or by FaceTime/Zoom /WhatsApp. Most consultations only take about an hour so you can fit it in during your lunch hour!
I will even send you a short questionnaire which you can complete and return to us on email or by post to make the process even quicker. You can also go onto our website to give us a few details and I can quickly draft up your Will from that.
Alternatively, you can use our online Will writing service.
“My estate will go to my wife, anyway, won’t it?”
If you die without a Will your assets will be administered in accordance with the complex intestacy rules. These rules are so complex that nearly all lawyers look them up and charge you for the privilege.
You can avoid this by making a simple Will.
“I have been with my partner for years though we are not married, and entire estates go to each other, don’t they?”
Even if you have a valid Will, and leave your entire estates to each other, it is likely that your partner will not receive your entire estate. Tax will be payable on your estate, as there is no exemption for unmarried couples. This means if your estate is worth over the nil rate band (£325,000) on death then tax will have to be paid. The tax is currently 40% over £ 325,000 (the nil rate band).
“I’m single and have no children, where Will my assets go?”
If you leave no Will your assets will be distributed according to the intestacy rules list of beneficiaries.
If your parents are alive, they will receive your estate which they may not want or need. If your parents have died your estate will be split equally among your siblings. If you do not want your estate shared amongst your siblings for some reason you should definitely make a Will.
It is possible also for us to quickly prepare other legal documents such as “Expression of wishes”, “Expression of wishes to Guardians“, “Advance directive” (Medical wishes), Severance of joint tenancy ”or “General Power of Attorney”. I am now able to set up Trusts to reduce inheritance tax and prepare a Schedule of your assets and liabilities and advise you on what would happen if you died intestate (without a will).
Discounts are available for 2 or more documents, including mirror Wills for couples. All documents come with a plain English commentary and can be finalised quickly and efficiently. All it takes is for you to answer a few questions for us via your smart phone / laptop / computer with access to Wi-Fi and I can do the rest. I will then arrange a meeting either in person at your home / Mortlake Business Centre or online to finalise the documentation with you.
Click here to get a quick, legal and professional Will from the comfort of your own home.
Call me now for expert Will advise 0203 935 9490