Winner of the Surrogacy Professional of the Year Award
2022 & 2023 at the National Surrogacy Week Awards
Making a Will
What is a Will?
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In the event of your death, you can choose through your Will who you wish to receive your money and property. A Will is crucial to protect you and your family from any disputes and to secure that your money passes to your preferred relatives or friends. You may want your assets pass to your spouse, partner, children or grandchildren in the most tax efficient way. A DIY Will can often cause more problems, as the correct wording may not have been included and the right signing process isn't always followed. It's important to get professional advice for a Will, as it's so easy to get things wrong.
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Having a Will eases the pressure on your family during this stressful time of bereavement. It can make the process easier by making your wishes clear and there is less room for disagreement. You may wish to exclude certain people from your Will. It's especially important to make a Will in cases of divorce or separation to stop your spouse claiming your estate after your lifetime. It takes longer to obtain the Grant of Probate, without a Will. This causes your bereft family more anxiety, delay and costs.
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Your Will contains many important terms and should include who you:
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want to name as Executors and Trustees (these are the people you entrust to handle the management of your estate)
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would like to be Guardians to care for any children in the future
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would like to inherit specific property, jewellery, possessions or money
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would like to inherit any remaining assets.
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A Will can also include funeral arrangements and directions for your family. It's so easy to make a Will and we can guide you step by step through the whole process. You can meet with us in person to talk through your wishes.
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Contact us today for a bespoke fixed fee quote for your Will and specialist advice on your personal circumstances and inheritance tax issues.
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Why is a Will so important?
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It is important that in the event of your death your estate is distributed exactly as you would have chosen.​
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If you don't make a Will, or if the Will you leave behind is not valid, then your estate will be distributed according to the most recent Intestacy laws. According to these laws any unmarried partners or step children would not benefit, whilst a spouse you were separated from would automatically inherit. This may of course not be your intention and your chosen beneficiaries may be excluded from inheriting your money or property. This can cause friction between families and can cost money and time to resolve, usually through the Courts.
It is important for you to make a Will if you are divorced, separated or have married again. You should always consider making a Will as soon as your first child is born, or for example when you buy a house (as you then have a major asset). It's vital to make a Will if you are suffering with Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease.
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Having a Will in place to properly record your wishes will relieve much of the pressure on your loved ones after your death. You can also feel at ease knowing that your wishes have been recorded and will be followed after your lifetime.
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As Caerphilly Solicitors, we are ideally placed to help local residents, but we can also help across England and Wales.
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Writing a robust Will could also ensure your beneficiaries don't pay more inheritance tax than is necessary. We can provide expert advice on your tax planning position. Contact us today!
Surrogacy Wills?
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It is especially important to ensure Wills are in place for all involved with surrogacy. Under the current law, a surrogate, and their spouse, will be the legal guardians of the baby at birth. This leaves all parties in a difficult legal situation should anything happen to either the Intended parents or the surrogate and their partner.
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Charlene Ash is our expert Surrogacy Lawyer. We are not just surrogacy lawyers, we are parents to two children through Surrogacy, so we truly understand all the difficulties involved in Surrogacy. You won't have to explain anything to us. so why not give us a call to see how we can help you.
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As Caerphilly Solicitors, we are ideally placed to help local residents in South Wales, but we can also help across England and Wales. Please let us use our personal journey to help and support you with your Surrogacy plans. We are proud to have helped hundreds of people with their Surrogacy journey and it's amazing to see them become parents after many years of struggles.
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