Wills

A will is the only way of ensuring that what you want to happen after your death actually does happen. It's the most important thing you can do to make the future easier for your friends and family.

You will be surprised and disappointed with the way that the law dictates who will benefit from your estate when you do not have a Will, and the way in which the law dictates what happens to your estate; this is very likely not the way you would have wanted. Sadly, many people do not fully understand what can be achieved, and therefore do not benefit fully from making a will. Often wills only consider the next generation and do not include all the provisions that they might.

Here at Supportive Financial Planning we can help. We can highlight many of the options and possibilities achievable though your will and put you in touch with a sympathetic solicitor who specialises in this area. Below is a list of some of the issues you may wish to consider:

• Protecting your wealth for future generations
• Protecting your disabled and vulnerable dependants
• Do you wish your children to inherit at 18?
• Making a Will is the only way to ensure that your money and possessions go to the people you choose
• Making a Will and thinking about your assets today is one positive way to protect yourself and your family in the event of unexpected death
• Dying without making a Will is known as dying intestate: in such cases control over how assets are divided following your death is limited and your surviving spouse does not necessarily inherit the whole of your estate
• Living with someone does not confer on that person the same rights as a married spouse or civil partner when it comes to any inheritance, unless mentioned specifically in a Will
• In your Will you can choose who will administer your estate after your death
• In your Will you can appoint guardians to look after your children
• In your Will you can make gifts to persons who would not benefit under the Intestacy Rules
• Administering an estate after death is easier where a Will has been made
• You will be able to make directions with regard to burial or cremation or donation of body parts for medical purposes