Ken Smart explains why it is essential to write a will.

Why it is essential to write a will, update it regularly and store it securely

By Ken Smart

A properly drawn up will is the only way to ensure that your estate, for which you have worked hard all your life, passes to those whom you wish to benefit.

Without a will there is uncertainly, many people believing that upon their death everything will automatically pass to their next of kin.  Unfortunately this is rarely the case and unless you have received proper legal advice your wishes will not be carried out following your death.

Once you have made your will it must be kept in a safe and secure environment because it is probably the most valuable document you will ever possess, since it represents everything you have strived for in life.  The will should certainly not be kept at home, as it would be vulnerable to alteration or damage by fire or flood and consequent invalidity.

Any will which becomes even slightly marked or defaced in any way will not be fit for purpose at the time the executors apply for probate, resulting in your estate being declared intestate with serious implications for the estate and a probable drawn out legal battle for the executors.

It is also vital that the executors are able to locate the will as soon as possible following your death.

Members of The Society of Will Writers offer a comprehensive range of services including secure storage and a will tracking facility, ensuring that executors can locate and obtain the will without difficulty.

They also offer extensive advisory services to executors which can maximise the executors’ chances of obtaining probate without difficulty.  In addition, in the event that the executors encounter difficulties with probate, full administration services are also available at reasonable cost to the estate.  The objective is to maximise the value of the estate for the benefit of the beneficiaries. 

It is also essential that a will is kept up to date since any change of circumstances which have not been taken into account will result in the executors having unnecessary problems when applying for probate.

For instance, should any of the named executors or the testator(s) move house an update becomes necessary.  Furthermore a will is invalidated if a testator gets married or divorced, necessitating a new will.

Members of The Society of Will Writers offer lifetime plans including updating whenever necessary.  This is the most economic way to ensure that a will is stored properly, updated whenever necessary and available to the executors without delay when required.

Writing a will need not be a daunting experience since a Society of Will Writers member will arrange a home visit at a time to suit you, often during the evening or over the weekend.

Comprehensive advice will be given according to your circumstances to ensure that your wishes are met and to assist in minimising (possibly avoiding) inheritance tax, and to protect your home from being sold to cover care costs.

Remember, failure to write a will could result in children under 18 being taken into care and your entire estate being declared intestate.

About Ken Smart 

After working for over 43 years in the removals industry, Ken Smart has moved into the will writing industry and is now engaged as marketing consultant with Specialist Will Writing Services Limited.

Based in Aldershot, the company offers comprehensive will writing and estate management services, including trusts, lasting powers of attorney and advice on minimising inheritance tax and providing for care costs.

Ken has prepared the following article in the hope of alerting all movers to the importance of getting down to writing a will.

Should you wish to obtain appropriate advice Ken will be happy to hear from you: e-mail ken.smart@swsltd.info, telephone 01252 352308.