“I just need a simple Will”

I am a Senior Associate Solicitor at Buss Murton and specialise in Wills and Probate work. Whilst this may not sound the most interesting of areas, I can definitely say that no two matters I work on are the same!  The reason being is that no two families are the same, the conventional idea of mum, dad and “2.4 children” is rarely a reality. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and increasingly many families are blended families or families that choose to co-inhabit with an older generation (often by way of an annex). This means that when it comes to looking at Wills a practitioner needs to discuss carefully with those making a Will who it is they truly want to benefit and to what extent. It is increasingly common to use Trusts to achieve the desired outcomes, for example by giving one beneficiary the right to live in your house after you pass away during their lifetime but ultimately for the house to be left to other beneficiaries that you specify.

The unique personalities and characteristics of individuals also have to be considered- there are plenty of instances where family members are “not good with money” and again incorporating Trusts into Wills can ensure that Inheritance is managed rather than being given to someone on an outright basis. It may be the case that someone writing their Will wants to leave money to their son or daughter but is concerned about their child’s marriage breaking down and the impact a divorce would have on potential Inheritance. Again, this is something that a Will drafter should discuss when drafting a Will and explain the benefits of incorporating a Trust into the Will to protect the Inheritance.

It may be that a client is wrestling with whether an even split of assets between their children is morally the right choice if one child is wealthy with, for example, their own home and financial security and the other is struggling. This often leads to further discussions surrounding assistance during lifetime and gifting and sometimes clauses are needed in a Will to deal with situations where one child has received money and the other has not.

Many clients say they just want a simple Will only to spend time with a Solicitor discussing their family set up, their children, their family dynamic only to realise that in fact a more complex Will incorporating a Trust alleviates many of their worries.

By discussing individual needs and circumstances Wills can be drafted to tailor fit a client’s family and, in my experience, it is often a mistake to think that you “only need a simple Will” without discussing the individual circumstances surrounding your own family with a Solicitor.

So, why choose a Solicitor to draft your Will:

• We have the legal experience and knowledge to ask the appropriate questions and draft technically correct Wills which will carry out your wishes.

• We identify opportunities to mitigate inheritance tax exposure, protecting the estate’s value for beneficiaries.

• By instructing us, you reduce stress and eliminate the risk of costly mistakes. Executors can rely on our experience to navigate these new rules confidently.

Contact our Private Client Team today on 01892 510 222 or privateclient@bussmurton.co.uk to discuss how we can help you with your Will.