Making a Will in Carmarthen
A will sets out what you want to happen to your assets after your death, and who you want to appoint to deal with this for you (called an executor). It can also provide for other things, such as the type of funeral you want, or what is to happen to your pets after your death.
If you die without making a will, you die "intestate" and the law then sets out what is to happen to your assets and this may mean that your assets do not go to those people you want to benefit, or in the amount you would wish.
The executor can be a trustworthy friend or relative and can be a beneficiary in the will, or if you prefer, we would be pleased to act as your executors.
When you decide who to leave your property to, you need to bear in mind, who is dependant on you, and what you need to put in your will to protect their interests.
Everyone's situation is different, but here are some pointers:-
1. If you are married, you may feel happy to leave everything to your wife or husband, satisfied that they will look after any other dependants you may have, such as children, or elderly relatives. But, you might want to go a little further, and set out what you would want to happen, should your wife or husband die before you, or at the same time as you.
2. If you are single, divorced, or widowed, you still have to think about those who are dependant on you, and make provision for them. if you have children under 18, you should consider appointing a guardian, to look after them, until they are 18, and two trustees to look after the finances.
3. If you have no dependants, then, you need to decide who you want to leave your estate to. All to one friend, or relative, or charity, or, among a few people.
4. Your will can help mitigate the payment of nursing home fees, by providing for assets to go into trust on the death of the first person to die of a husband and wife or partner, in a way that cannot be challenged by the local authority.
5. If your estate is worth more than the Inheritance Tax threshold, then, you will also need to consider if any provisions can be made in your will, which would lessen the amount of Inheritance Tax payable on your death, and ensure that more of your assets go to the beneficiaries. If you think you need tax planning advice, we as Solicitors in Carmarthen can help you. The information we would need, is approximately how much your various assets are worth, who you want them to go to in the end, and what level of control over them you feel you need.
For more information on Inheritance Tax, click here: www.hmrc.gov.uk/inheritancetax
6. If you do not have enough money for Inheritance Tax to cause a problem, then, you may have the opposite problem, of not having enough money to see that your dependants are looked after as you would want, after your days. In these circumstances, you may want to consider getting advice on life insurance from an independent financial advisor.
7. If you are not married, but live with someone, and own property together, what do you want to happen? Do you want your partner to inherit all your property, including money and insurance policies, or, would you want to give them just your share of the home and leave the rest of your assets to say relatives? You need to set this out in your will.
What is the cost of making a will in Carmarthen?
A simple will can cost as little as £80.00 plus VAT.
A normal will for a married person is £280.00 plus VAT.
If a husband and wife are making normal wills - leaving everything to each other and on the second death all to the same children, then, we would prepare the second will for £90 plus VAT.
If your situation is more complicated than normal, and you need advice and a more detailed will, we will be happy to give you an estimate of the additional cost.
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e-mail: alison@johnfarrdavies.com
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telephone 01267 235819
or call in at
John Farr-Davies & Company,
3 Queen Street, Carmarthen SA31 1JR
