Extra care needs to be taken when you are making a will and including instructions about property such as your house or flat. In some cases there might be a clause in the title deeds called a 'survivorship destination' clause. These clauses can override what it says about the property in a will. A solicitor can give advice about the impact of these clauses. Choosing executors

The charity Will Aid has set up a partnership between certain solicitors and nine well-known charities. To make a will in Scotland, you must be over the age of 12 years old (whereas in England you must be over the age of 18) and of sound mind. If you want to challenge the will because you believe you haven't been adequately provided for, the time limit is 6 months from the grant of probate. Your local Citizens Advice can give you lists of solicitors. You can search for your nearest Citizens Advice. Probate being unaware of the effect of marriage, a registered civil partnership, divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership on a will Optimise Media Limited (FRN 313408) for the introduction of the First Direct Current Account, LV= Pet Insurance and LV= Asda Breakdown. Optimise Media Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide credit brokering and general insurance activity. Optimise Media is registered in England and Wales to Exchange Street Buildings, 35-37 Exchange Street, Norwich, England, NR2 1DP and company number 04455319The document becomes binding as a result of the process of signing it in front of two witnesses, not because of the involvement of a solicitor in preparing or reviewing it. made by a person who is of sound mind. This means the person must be fully aware of the nature of the document being written or signed and aware of the property and the identify of the people who may inherit and at home. If you keep a copy at home it's a good idea to put it in an envelope that is clearly labelled. It is generally not a good idea to keep an original will at home as it can get damaged.

if you want to leave property to a transgender person you must seek advice as you might have to refer to the person in their acquired gender, not their birth gender.Although a will can be revoked by destruction, it is always advisable that a new will should contain a clause revoking all previous wills and codicils. Revoking a will means that the will is no longer legally valid. Challenging a will Executors are the people responsible for carrying out your wishes and for sorting out your estate after your death. Your estate is your property and possessions. These standard ways of writing things are tried and tested, and they remove any confusion about what you mean – even if the language seems unusual at first.

If you need specific legal advice, that is an 'opinion' about how the law applies to your circumstances, you might approach a law firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. However, unless you think that your wishes are contentious and will be challenged at probate or if you have personal posessions and property overseas, the advice you need may be practical rather than legal. benefit can be maintained without giving ownership in situations where ownership could erode value. For example, your share of a family company could be left in a discretionary trust so that your children only become shareholders (controlling how it is run) once they have sufficient experience. You should discuss how these changes affect your will and inheritance planning with a solicitor. Example Separating from your partnerWhen it comes to executing a will, there are several differences between the rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland and those in England and Wales. There might not be enough money in the estate to pay all the debts, anyone in this situation should seek further help. Who to choose as executors Who will write the will? You choose from a list of solicitors who will write your will online, through the post, over the phone, face-to-face at home or in branch. Not all options are available in all parts of the UK. When a will has been made, it is important to keep it up to date to take account of changes in circumstances. Once a will has been made the original document should be kept in a safe place. Other documents should not be attached to it because this can make it more difficult to find. There are a number of places where you can keep a will:

Creating a last will and testament ensures peace of mind and the ability to set out your wishes. Make your own will with our standard will template. We have carefully designed our standard will online DIY template, so you can easily edit it to your exact situation and requirements. Using our Standard Will Template You can find out how to apply for a general search and how much it costs on GOV.UK. Personal application There are books which provide guidance on how to draw up a will. These can help you decide if you should draw up your own will and also help you decide if any of the pre-printed will forms available from stationers and charities are suitable. It is also possible to find help on the internet. For more information about what executors have to do, see Dealing with the financial affairs of someone who has died. Requirements for a valid willTax is payable only on the value of your estate above a certain amount. This amount is called the threshold or the nil rate band. who you want to benefit from your will. You should make a list of all the people to whom you wish to leave money or possessions. These people are known as beneficiaries. You also need to consider whether you wish to leave any money to charity