Legal

Why Everyone Needs a Will

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to put off important tasks, and writing a Will is often one of them.

29 Jan 2024

Team name
Manzurul Islam

Manzurul Islam

However, having a Will is crucial for ensuring your wishes are carried out after your death and providing peace of mind to your loved ones. In this guide we’ll explore the importance of having a Will, and the steps to take in order to secure your legacy.

Why Do You Need a Will?

A Will is a legal document that outlines how your things, known as your estate, should be shared out after your death. Your estate includes your property, money, and personal possessions. Even if you don’t consider yourself wealthy, having a Will ensures that your wishes are respected, and your loved ones are taken care of. Without a Will, your estate will be distributed according to a pre-determined set of rules, known as the intestacy rules, which may not align with your desires.  You could also find your estate pays more tax than it otherwise would if you had a Will.

Benefits of Writing a Will

Writing a Will offers several benefits beyond determining who receives your estate. Firstly, if you live with a partner without being married or in a civil partnership, they won’t automatically inherit your estate without a Will. Secondly, if you have young children, a Will allows you to nominate a legal guardian who will care for them in the event of your passing. Additionally, a Will enables you to express your funeral wishes and can help reduce or eliminate inheritance tax.

Consequences of Dying Without a Will

Dying without a Will, known as intestate, can lead to complications and unintended consequences. The intestacy rules determine how your estate will pass and these rules may not align with your preferences. For example, if you have a spouse they may not receive your whole estate and they could also be forced to sell assets to pay inheritance tax. With a Will, those issues can be avoided.

The Will-Writing Process

Before your appointment, it’s helpful to gather relevant information that will assist in the Will-writing process. This includes details about your assets, such as property, savings, investments, and valuable possessions. You should also consider any debts or financial responsibilities you have, such as a mortgage.

Consultation with a lawyer

During your appointment, the expert lawyer will guide you through the Will-writing process. They will ask you a series of questions to understand your wishes and ensure your Will accurately reflects your intentions. The solicitor will provide advice on legal matters based on your unique circumstances, including inheritance tax implications. After the consultation, the solicitor will draft your Will and make sure it is completed correctly to ensure it is valid.

Planning Beyond a Will

Power of Attorney

While a Will is an essential component of estate planning, having a lasting power of attorney can be just as important. This is legal document used to appoint a trusted individual to make certain decisions on your behalf for tasks you require help with or if you become incapacitated. By appointing someone you trust as your attorney, you can have peace of mind knowing that your affairs will be handled according to your wishes.

Periodic Review and Updates

Creating a Will is not a one-time task. Significant events such as marriage, divorce, birth, or death in the family may necessitate modifications to your Will.

M&P Commentary

Manzurul Islam, Head of Wills & Probate at Mullis & Peake LLP, said:

“Writing a Will is a crucial step in securing your legacy and ensuring your wishes are respected. It can help ensure your family is cared for after you pass and that your wealth passes in a tax efficient way, allowing your loved ones and the causes you care about to have the maximum benefit with minimum fuss.  Otherwise dying without a Will could cost your estate more in tax and costs.  It is something that I would recommend to almost everyone.”

OUR CLIENTS SAY ABOUT US

Ranked highly in Romford and Brentwood for solicitor firms

Family
The service I received from Allison was exceptional. Always highly professional and informative.
Virginia
Wills
Mullis and Peake are very efficient, professional and friendly company to deal with. Excellent service throughout.
Brian
Employment
Excellent, swift service from Esther at Mullis & Peake. Showed clear expertise in her field & walked me through everything patiently & thoroughly.
Dan
Company and Commercial
I found the service provided was excellent from start to finish, with our requirements met in a timely manner throughout.
Gary
Wills
Staff very helpful and friendly. Trudi was easy to talk to and to understand the procedure.
Pamela
Dispute resolution
We contacted Martyn to deal with a sensitive Will dispute and we can’t thank him enough for his commitment and hard work.
Salena
Residential Property
Very prompt. Experienced. Expert. Friendly.
Trevor
Commercial Property
Excellent service and far quicker than previous negotiations using a different solicitor.
John
Family
At all times I was kept informed about the progress of the case and everything was completed in a timely fashion.
Melanie
Personal Injury
Martyn undertook and guided me through the lengthy process [of a personal injury case], and after much work, achieved a successful result.
Shirley

Related News insights

Family & Divorce Law, Legal
Common Intention in Family Law
Employment Advice (For Business), Legal
Protecting Employees from Sexual Harassment – are you ready?
Movers & Shakers, Mullis & Peake
Legal 500 2025
Company & Commercial, Legal
What is Dissolution and Voluntary Liquidation?