Creating a will is one of the best things you can do to ensure that, when you die, your money and property goes to those you choose and that someone you trust is appointed to make sure this happens. If you die without a will your affairs will be dealt with under the rules of intestacy and it is only close family who will be entitled to receive anything. Unmarried partners are not catered for and neither are any charities you would like to benefit.
The process of making a will requires a number of legal formalities to be complied with and there are extra steps needed where you have been diagnosed with a progressive mental illness, like dementia.
There are also other issues that need to be considered alongside the making of a will, such as inheritance tax and the protection of vulnerable beneficiaries who may need help to manage money or property.
The wills, trusts and probate lawyers at Hatten Wyatt Solicitors in Kent are on hand to guide you through the process of making a will and to advise you on any other steps needed to ensure your affairs are organised in the best way possible, both to protect your interests while you are alive and those of your loved ones after you have gone.
Our solicitors can:
- draft a will to your exact requirements;
- prepare a will at short notice, including at your hospital bed or over the telephone if you are abroad or suddenly become unwell;
- apply to the Court of Protection for a statutory will on behalf of a relative who is unable to make a will in the normal way;
- ensure the legal formalities needed to create a valid will are complied with;
- take extra steps to ensure that everything is done properly where you have been diagnosed with deteriorating mental health;
- prepare a letter of wishes to accompany your will to deal with matters like funeral arrangements and to explain any decisions that may come as a surprise to your family;
- advise you on the best way to structure your affairs for tax planning to ensure you pay no more inheritance tax than necessary;
- put in place arrangements for the protection of vulnerable beneficiaries, for example by setting up a trust; and
- create a deed of variation to change the terms of a will or the rules of intestacy to make provision for other relatives or to save tax.
We can also assist with other matters to help you put your legal affairs in order, including the creation of a lasting power of attorney to enable you to appoint someone of your choosing to manage your affairs if you become unable to manage them yourself.
Advising families throughout Gravesend, Kent and beyond
We have offices in Maidstone, Gravesend, Tonbridge, Chatham and Tenterden where we can meet you to discuss your requirements.
We can also offer meetings at your home, in hospital or in a care facility, and in exceptional circumstances a telephone appointment can be arranged via skype.
Funding
An initial appointment to discuss your requirements can be arranged from £150 plus VAT. After that we can agree funding arrangements to suit your budget.
Get in touch with our wills solicitors in Gravesend, Kent
If you need assistance to make a will, please get in touch to see how we can help. You can call us on 01474 351199 or use our contact form and we will call you.