Why Should You Make a Will?
Making a Will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones, your assets, and your wishes.
Yet many people across West Sussex still ask, “Do I need a Will?” or assume that it’s only necessary if you have significant wealth.
In this article, we explain why writing a Will matters, especially in light of recent news that Liam Payne reportedly died intestate (without a valid Will).
It’s Been Suggested That Liam Payne Died Intestate – What Does This Mean?
It has been reported that Liam Payne died intestate; this means that he died either without making a Will or a valid Will. Liam is not the only celebrity to have died without making a Will—Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Barry White, Michael Jackson, Prince and James Brown are just a few!
Ultimately, the Intestacy Rules will dictate who inherits his Estate.
Under English law, there is a statutory set of rules that are enforced if you die intestate. Your Estate will be divided according to those rules, irrespective of what the deceased’s intentions actually were. This means the Estate might not be divided in the way they wanted or expected.
By making a Will and keeping it up to date, you can ensure that your Estate is dealt with by someone you trust. You don’t necessarily have to have many assets to benefit from a Will—you can gain peace of mind knowing that you have appointed an appropriate guardian to care for your children.
10 Reasons Why You Need a Will
- You choose who will benefit from your Estate and how much they are entitled to.
- You can appoint a guardian to look after your children if they are under 18. Without an effective guardian appointment, your children could end up in the care of Social Services whilst the Court decides who should look after them.
- You appoint people you trust to administer your Estate as your executors.
- If a Will is in place, it is easier for loved ones to know what you wanted and quicker to administer your Estate. Without one, your next of kin will be appointed to become an administrator—potentially people you would not have chosen.
- It’s a common mistake to think your husband, wife or civil partner will automatically inherit everything, but this is not always the case. The Rules of Intestacy set out exactly what a spouse is entitled to.
- If you do not make a Will and are not married, your partner is not entitled to anything from your Estate under the Intestacy Rules.
- A properly drafted Will can help minimise Inheritance Tax and other future liabilities.
- You may wish to prevent certain family members from benefiting from your Estate—something that can only be achieved through a Will.
- You may wish to leave gifts to friends, charities or family members who might not otherwise be entitled under Intestacy Rules.
- A professionally prepared Will can ensure your wishes are upheld in different scenarios, preventing your Estate from falling partially intestate.
By planning ahead and writing your Will professionally, you will have peace of mind knowing that when the time comes, you’ve done all you can to make life as easy as possible for your loved ones.
To discuss the preparation of a new Will or to update your current Will, please telephone our Wills specialist team.
You can call our Worthing office on 01903 229999 or our Chichester office on 01243 256370.
Alternatively, email info@bennett-griffin.co.uk, and a member of our team will reply shortly.
In a follow-up article, our Dispute Resolution team will explore what happens when disputes arise—and how unmarried partners or dependants might contest a Will or claim support.
The information contained in this article is for general guidance only and is not intended to be legal advice. Professional advice should always be taken on the application of the law in any particular situation.