Making a Will (Leaflet)

Why Make A Will?

By making a Will, you can control what happens to your property and your assets after you die. If you don’t have a Will, the law will determine how your assets are distributed, regardless of what your wishes might have been. Relatives, charities or friends you might otherwise have chosen to give something to may miss out.

If you are not married to or in a civil partnership with your partner, it is particularly important that you make a Will, as the law does not automatically give your partner the same right to inherit as a spouse or civil partner. Without a Will, your partner may be left with nothing.

If you have children or other dependants, we would recommend that you make a Will to ensure that they are provided for in the way that you would wish. A Will can also help to protect your Estate from a large Inheritance Tax bill, so there will be more to pass on to your loved ones.

Do I Need A Solicitor?

It is possible to draw up your own Will, but it is not advisable. There are strict formalities that need to be followed in order for a Will to be valid, and a solicitor can make sure that these are complied with. The more complicated your circumstances, the more complicated your Will may need to be to reflect this, and the more important it is to get proper legal advice from a firm you trust.

The last thing you would want is for mistakes to be made in your Will that might lead to problems for your family and friends after your death. Homemade Wills are also more at risk of being challenged – having your Will drawn up by a solicitor means that someone independent has ensured that the Will is drafted correctly, and that there has been no undue influence placed on you. Our files would provide a record of the background to the will that may help guard against a claim being made by a disappointed beneficiary after your death.

Keeping Your Will Up To Date

You should review your Will every 5 years, or after any major life change – such as getting married or divorced, entering into or dissolving a civil partnership, having a child, or moving house. It is best to deal with a major change by having a new Will drawn up; if a change is less significant it is possible to make minor alterations to your existing Will with a separate document (called ‘a Codicil’). If your life has changed your Will should change too – we can help make sure that your Will is kept up-to-date.

Keeping It Safe

Once your Will is finalised, it is essential that it is kept safe and that you tell your chosen executor(s) or a close friend or family member where it is. We offer a free and secure Will storage service to our clients. We will keep the original Will safe for you, and send you a copy for your records.

Our Charges

We charge a fixed fee for a straightforward Will, so you know in advance exactly how much the cost will be. Please contact us for details. If the work is going to be more complicated, we will give you an estimate of the cost when taking your instructions, and will keep you updated as to any changes. There will never be any hidden charges.

Free Initial Consultation

We welcome enquiries and are happy to meet for a free of charge initial consultation. This will give us a chance to discuss matters with you and to provide you with an estimate of the potential costs involved. Get in touch today and make sure that you control what happens to your assets when you die.

Find out more about our Wills service.

Why Choose Fraser Dawbarns

We are one of the largest and most well established firms in the region, and this is founded upon our legal expertise, and the care and dedication that we show to our clients. We can give you clear advice on what to include in your Will, setting up Trusts, and how Inheritance Tax may affect your Estate. We can draft a Will for you that will reflect your circumstances and your wishes – no matter how complex, or straight forward, these may be.

We have offices in Wisbech, King’s Lynn, Downham Market, March and Ely which means we will always be close by should an urgent issue arise, or when you need to sign something at short notice. If you can’t come to one of our offices, let us know, and we will be happy to come and see you at home.

At Fraser Dawbarns We Promise

• Direct access to your own dedicated lawyer
• Full range of legal services
• Clear prices & no hidden costs