Writing a will can seem a daunting prospect, but dying intestate could create problems for your loved ones when it comes to distributing the estate.
Let our team of expert lawyers help you throughout the process with bespoke advice to ensure peace of mind for you today and in the future.
Request a call back from our team to discuss our will writing service.
Why is it important to make a will?
Writing a will is the only way to ensure that your property, money and possessions are distributed in accordance with your wishes.
Investing in a will service by professional lawyers will give you peace of mind that your family will be provided for and that organising the estate will be a smooth process, with the least amount of stress to your loved ones.
- Writing a will ensures your chosen loved ones receive exactly what you want them to have, as well as being able to share your assets with extended family, close friends or organisations
- Making a will is essential if you are unmarried as your partner has no automatic right to your estate under the Intestacy Rules
Our will services
There can be many complex issues to consider when writing a will and it’s advised to seek proper legal advice. Here at Penguin Legal, we offer in-depth advice throughout the process to ensure your wishes are taken care of.
We offer specialised and bespoke advice for the following:
- Single person wills
- Joint wills for married and unmarried partners
- Wills that include Property, Life Interest or Discretionary Trusts
- Living will that contains your wishes regarding medical treatment
- Lasting Power of Attorney
- Re-write will service on the break-up of a family
- Will updates and re-writes
What is intestacy?
A person dies intestate if they die without making a will, they have made an invalid will or the will in place does not effectively dispose of their property.
A person dies partially intestate if the will is valid but only disposes of part of their estate, for example, when not all property or assets are covered by the will or the named beneficiary dies during the testator’s lifetime and a substitute beneficiary is not named in the will.
What happens if I die without making a will?
When a person dies intestate, the assets are distributed according to the Intestacy Rules and the rules of dividing the estate depend on whether you have any surviving family members.
- If you are married or in a civil partnership with children, your spouse or civil partner will be entitled to assets up to the value specified in the Intestacy Rules and all personal possessions. The remaining estate is then shared between your spouse or civil partner and your children
- Regardless of whether you are unmarried or single, if you have children then the estate will be shared equally between them and not your partner
- If you are married or in a civil partnership without children, your spouse or civil partner can inherit everything in the estate
- However, if you are unmarried or single, the estate will then be shared equally between your closest family, in the order set out in the Intestacy Rules
