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Updating Your Will Resources

Is your Will fit for purpose?

Your Will is an extremely important document and if you’ve taken the time to write one then it’s equally important to take the time to ensure that it is kept up-to-date. We recommend that you review your Will every 5 years to make sure that it is still valid and reflects your wishes.

Your circumstances may change over time and these changes should be made to your Will.  If not, then your Will may become invalid Will and you will run the risk of dying without your last wishes accurately reflected.

Reviewing your Will is easy – you don’t have to write a new Will every time you need to change it. Depending on the change, sometimes we can simply add a note to your file and sometimes a more formal codicil will required.

Even if your Will was not written by Banner Jones Solicitors one of our experienced Will writers in Chesterfield, Sheffield or Mansfield will still happily review it for you. 

How to Make a Will

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.

Why do you need to change your Will when you divorce?

Why do you need to change your Will when you divorce?

Writing Wills during a marriage that leaves everything to each other upon death is very common, but what happens to that Will should you decide to end the marriage and get divorced?

Types Of Wills Explained

Types Of Wills Explained

Kathryn Wheeldon discuses the different types of Wills that are available, and how to decide which one to choose.

Intestacy Rules - What happens when there is no Will?

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.

How to make use of IHT exempt gift allowances

How to make use of IHT exempt gift allowances

Internet shopping may have boomed during the pandemic, but many people have spent less than usual while forced to stay home during the periods of lockdown. For those with spare money, they have an opportunity to make the most of inheritance tax reliefs on gifts to family and friends if they act swiftly.

Wills - The importance of getting it right

Wills - The importance of getting it right

The Coronavirus has affected everyone in many different ways, but one thing is for sure, it has provided a reminder to many of us about the importance of having our personal affairs in order. For most people this process starts by writing a Will.

Intestacy: What Happens if I Don't Have a Will?

Intestacy: What Happens if I Don't Have a Will?

We are getting a lot of questions from clients around this topic at the moment, so we thought that an article outlining the intestacy rules would help to guide you.

Producing a valid Will whilst social distancing

Producing a valid Will whilst social distancing

The last few weeks have forced us all to change the way that we live our lives. From working, to schooling, to socialising and even shopping – we have had to adapt. There is no doubt that technology has played a big part in allowing us to adapt and indeed stay somewhat connected to the loved ones that we cannot meet in person.

New service for identifying charitable bequests

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.

Don’t forget your digital legacy

When we think about what we leave behind when we die, the majority of us take an approach that gives little regard to the vast amount of digital assets we hold.

Online Life = Digital Legacy

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

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.

The steps cohabiting couples should take when drawing up a will

The steps cohabiting couples should take when drawing up a will

There’s no denying the huge steps forward seen in creating equality for same-sex couples in the UK during the 21st Century, first with the Civil Partnership Act 2004 and then the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013. However, as heterosexual couples have marriage as the only option open to them to make their relationship formal, there have been suggestions of a new inequality having now been created. A legal challenge by mixed-sex couple Rebecca Steinfield and Charles Keidan to be able to enter into a civil partnership instead of a marriage was unsuccessful earlier this year, meaning it’s unlikely the situation will change for heterosexual couples in the near future.

Wills and Planning for the Inevitable

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

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!

What Happens if I Don't Have a Will?

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?

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...

Trustees’ Responsibilities

Trustees’ Responsibilities

Our free guide to these duties.

What does the Inheritance Tax Change mean to you?

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 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

Ashgate Hospicecare 'Make a Will Month' gets Underway

As a regular supporter of Ashgate Hospicecare, Banner Jones are delighted to be supporting this years ‘Make a Will Month’ campaign.

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