People are being urged to ‘express’ their personal wishes before it’s too late.
Leading Warwickshire law firm Wright Hassall has warned of the dangers of failing to prepare a proper will which clearly and legally sets out the wishes of the deceased.
John Rouse, a partner at Wright Hassall, based in Leamington, said while thinking of what will happen to our affairs after we have passed on might not be very cheerful, the consequences of failing to prepare properly could be even more gloomy.
“Very often people assume that their belongings will simply pass to their partner or next of kin, but this is not always the case,” he said.
“If couples are not married their estates will not automatically pass onto their partners; in fact even when couples have been married for many years spouses may not automatically receive everything they thought they would.
“Another problem we sometimes encounter is situations where single parents with children under eighteen die.
“Sometimes if they have failed to make proper arrangements, the child’s other parent is appointed as personal representative to sort out the financial affairs - often the last person the deceased wanted.”
To help avoid these types of situations Wright Hassall has set up an express wills service which allows people to make a straight forward will from the comfort of their own home.
An easy to understand pack and questionnaire can be downloaded here, filled in and posted back. Alternatively, a pack can be requested from 01926 884684.
Rouse added: “With the pace of life becoming ever more hectic and with the time pressures we all face it is often hard to find time to see a solicitor or take those first steps to making a will.
“At Wright Hassall we recognise those pressures and our express wills service makes the process of making a will as quick, easy, efficient and cost effective as possible.”
The cost for a will under the express wills service is £50 plus VAT for a single will or £75 plus VAT for a pair of wills for a couple with no hidden fees or storage charges.
For more information visit www.wrighthassall.co.uk or visit the Wright Hassall offices in Olympus Avenue, Leamington.
