On 1^st October 2014, new intestacy rules came into play – but how might these affect you? Laws surrounding division of assets, if you don’t have a Will, have radically changed but common-law partners still get nothing.

If you need a Will or another legal document, you want to feel comfortable that the Solicitor you choose understands what you are seeking to achieve.  Matters that Solicitors deal with can be stressful enough without you feeling as though you’re behind the game. This is why Cuff & Gough LLP was formed – they believe that you deserve a legal service for the real world with the highest standards of service and legal knowledge.

There are lots of reasons for making a Will – including reassurance that your precious possessions will be left to those who matter most, or making sure that your favourite charity is left with a substantial gift. Couples who live together but are not legally married or in a civil partnership may need a Will to ensure their partner will inherit some or all of their estate.

Here are Cuff & Gough LLP’s top 10 reasons for making a Will:

1. You can define a guardian to take care of your children if they are under the age of 18. Without guardian appointment, your children could end up in the care of Social Services whilst the Court makes a decision.

2. If you have no living relatives and wish to leave your estate to friends (the Crown may take an estate if a person dies leaving no Will and no surviving relatives).

3. If you're divorced or your civil partnership has been dissolved, you can make a choice as to whether you’d like to leave anything to your ex-partner.

4. Or, if you are legally married or in a civil partnership and don’t want your spouse/civil partner to inherit anything, you can make this choice.

5. You can ensure that a charity of your choice receives a gift.

6. You make a start on tax planning, for where your estate is large and may be liable for Inheritance Tax.

7. If you are legally married or in a civil partnership, you can make sure your children receive a bigger proportion of your estate, than under the current rules.

8. If you’d like to provide for dependent relatives e.g. small children, the elderly or relatives with a disability. When a Will is put together, you can appoint guardians to take care of children or look after dependents.

9. If you are legally married or are in a civil partnership and have children from a previous relationship, you can make sure that those children receive something from the estate.

10. You can make sure that only the most capable and trusted of people administer your estate and carry out your wishes. This could be your spouse or partner, your solicitor or whoever else you trust.

If you’d like further information on making a Will or amending an existing one, contact Jeremy Cuff – Partner at Cuff & Gough LLP by calling 01737 851827.