Making a Will is often seen as a daunting prospect for a lot of people, but here at Banner Jones we’ll take you through it step by step ensuring that your Will represents everything you want it to. Most of our clients say it’s such a relief to have finally done it and usually they have been putting it off for ages.
Dealing with a death? Find out how we can help
Making a Will is commonly associated as something you do in later life however, in reality anyone over the age of 18 can have a Will and we would strongly recommend it to anyone with children. Wills are not for just sorting out finances and property in the event of your death, you can appoint guardians for your children and even leave money to your friends or a charity. Without a Will the government decides these things for you.
There are many types of Will and our specialists in Chesterfield, Dronfield, Mansfield and Sheffield are here to help.
How to Make a Will
Making a Will is commonly associated as something you do in later life however, in reality anyone over the age of 18 can have a Will and we would strongly recommend it to anyone with children.
To help you get started, here are a few things you should think about when making a Will.
Challenging a Will
We know that challenging a will can be a really stressful and emotional time so in this video our Head of Dispute Resolution, Rob Stubbs, covers the options available to you. This includes how you can challenge the validity of a will and your options under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act.
Types Of Wills Explained
Kathryn Wheeldon discuses the different types of Wills that are available, and how to decide which one to choose.
Trust Registration Service
If you are a Trustee, you need to be aware that new rules came into force in October 2020 extending the requirement to register Trusts with the Trust Registration Service (TRS).
Intestacy Rules - What happens when there is no Will?
If your loved one dies without leaving a valid Will, there are strict rules in place known as the ‘Intestacy Rules’ which decide how their estate is divided.
Trust Registration Service (TRS) - Important information for Trustees
If you are a Trustee, you need to be aware that new rules came into force in October 2020 extending the requirement to register Trusts with the Trust Registration Service (TRS).
New service for identifying charitable bequests
A new system alerting charities to when they have been left money in wills is to be established by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) following a decision to end its current arrangement.
Get your Power of Attorney set up
You will have seen lots of articles recommending that you plan for death by writing a will, but what happens if you become unable to make decisions for yourself whilst you are alive; either through illness or accident? Who will make decisions on your behalf and how will your finances be run?
Online Life = Digital Legacy
We all increasingly live our lives online whether it be through various social media profiles to paperless billing for your gas and electricity account. When you’re in control, there’s no denying it makes life simple and even if you lose or forget your password, a link will be sent to your email account and within seconds you’re back in control.
Giving Away Your Home
If you are thinking of giving away your home or other assets you must read this. Download our free guide today.
Proposed increase on probate fees scrapped
Following the announcement of the snap general election to take place on 8th June, the government has decided to scrap its plans to increase the legal fees due after a person has died. Having proposed a rise in probate fees in England and Wales to come into effect in May, which would have seen an increase from the current flat figures of £155 or £215 to as much as £20,000 for the most valuable estates, the Ministry of Justice announced in the second half of April that there was too little time for the legislation to go through parliament before the election.
Wills and Planning for the Inevitable
Research just published underlines how ill-prepared most people are in terms of their end of life planning.
The Jones Family: Family Wills Bundle
Wills for everyone in the family can be expensive. Read about our exclusive Family Wills Bundle offer, easily explained by the Jones family, here!
The ‘cost of dying’ is now racing ahead of the rate of inflation
Recent research has revealed that the cost of dying is now the fastest rising fixed cost in the UK, ahead of costs of living including rent, utilities and food.
The importance of having a Will in place
Despite the fact that having a Will in place is commonly accepted as the most effective way to leave details about your inheritance, the number of people who don’t have one is remarkably high.
What Happens if I Don't Have a Will?
What’s the worst that could happen if you don’t have a Will? Our expert Wills solicitors have explain what can happen, in simple terms, in our guide.
Why Should I Use A Solicitor To Make A Will?
There are lots of quick and cheap ways to write a will, so why do people use legal professionals? Open the infographic to find out why...
10 Reasons Why You Need a Will
Why not download our Will guide for more information?
Lasting Powers of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney (often referred to as an “LPA”) is a legal document which appoints one or more people as your attorneys who can make decisions on your behalf. Once the LPA has been registered it can last for the rest of your life, even if you lose mental capacity.
What does the Inheritance Tax Change mean to you?
Last week, during the Budget, the Chancellor formally announced a key change to Inheritance Tax (“IHT”) that would take affect from 2017.
The True Cost of Divorce in Retirement
The financial effects of divorce last much longer than the initial cost of the break up.
Ashgate Hospicecare 'Make a Will Month' gets Underway
Forty One Million Wills now available online
The wills of Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill, Alan Turing and Beatrix Potter are among millions which have been made accessible to the public through a searchable online database.