James McKenzie | Professional Will writing service

Do you need a Will?

Do you:

Have more than £5,000 in assets?
Own a property?
Have children or planning to start a family?

Are you:

Separated from your partner/spouse?
Concerned about Inheritance Tax?
Living as unmarried partners or planning to marry?

Wills

If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, you should consider writing a Will. Most people know the importance of making a Will, but for one reason or another never get around to it or think that because they do not have considerable savings or property, they do not need to. Without a Will, the government (through the Laws of Intestacy) will decide how your estate is divided when you die. Under these laws, even if you are married, your surviving spouse may not inherit all of your assets, and if you have children they would be able to claim their share of your estate when they turn 18 (16 in Scotland). By writing a Will you can ensure your assets go to the people you want to leave them to and at an age you want them to receive it. Ensure your children are protected and appoint Guardians for those under 18 in your Will.

Whilst the standard service is suitable for 75-80% of our clients, below is a short video and table of service inclusions to ensure you choose the service that is right for you.

Service Inclusions

Standard Service

Advanced Service

The appointment of Executors and Trustees to administer your wishes and control how your assets are distributed

The appointment of Guardians to look after your minor children

The distribution of your assets through the provision of specific (legacy) and residual gifts

The inclusion of simple trusts for minor children for them to inherit up to the age of 25

Reference funeral and organ donation requests

Generic Inheritance Tax advice including gifts to charities and making use of allowances throughout your life time

Straightforward intentions to leave assets outright to named beneficiaries, allowing them to decide what happens in the future

Protect assets for your children in the event your spouse or partner remarries or updates their Will after your death

Protect vulnerable beneficiaries including those with a disability or a history of drug/alcohol abuse

Protect assets for your children from previous relationships whilst not disadvantaging your new spouse or partner

Allow someone to remain living in your property or to receive an income for a period of time before passing to other people

Inheritance Tax saving advice for unmarried couples with children who have a net worth in excess of £500k

The ability to change the beneficiaries of your Will through a letter of wishes instead of having to change the Will

Generational Inheritance Tax planning for high net worth individuals

Service Inclusions

Pilot Trusts

Places Death-in-Service benefits in Trust

Safeguards capital for children

Provides protection in the case of death, divorce or bankruptcy of the beneficiary

Service Inclusions

Health & Welfare

Property & Financial Affairs

If capacity is lost I would like someone to make healthcare and medical decisions, decide where I should live (at home or in care) and make decisions on life-sustaining treatment

If capacity is lost or I have a physical impairment, I would like someone to be able to buy/sell property on my behalf, deal with bills and run bank accounts

Other Services Available

Lasting Power of Attorney

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives another individual the legal authority to look after specific aspects of your financial affairs or health and welfare should you lose the physical or mental capacity to do so. Once considered as something only for the elderly; it is equally as important for younger people who may become incapacitated through accident or illness.

In the event you become mentally incapacitated, without an LPA in place, relatives may face long delays and expense in applying to the court of protection to get access and take control of your assets and finances.

LPAs are designed specifically to be recognised by financial institutions, care homes and local authorities, as well as tax, benefits and pension authorities. They are legal documents that, like Wills, can be set up by anyone independently but are usually set up by an experienced professional in order to identify and address any specific areas of concern and to ensure validity. Many people consider having one alongside their Wills.

LPA service is ONLY available in England and Wales due to differences in process and jurisdiction.

*Please note there is a fee of up to £92 to apply to register each LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) paid directly to the OPG by you. The fee payable is dependent on your level of earnings and/or benefits received.