
Wills for new parents : what you need to know.
Why do parents need a will?
- If you die without a will, a complex set of laws known as the intestacy rules come into effect. The intestacy rules are made for all those who have not made a will and unsurprisingly rarely reflect parent’s specific wishes.
- It’s not all about money: most importantly, making a will allows you to appoint legal guardians for your children.
- Not making a will could lead to uncertainty and financial worry for your family and dependents.
Making the will is the best way to ensure that your loved ones are taken care of and provided for as YOU wish.
Writing the best will for your children — what to consider in five easy steps.
- Appoint a guardian for your children
A legal guardian is a person who takes care of your children in the event you and your partner die. It is important to consider legal guardianship. If these plans aren’t outlined in a will, and both parents are deceased, the local authority or the courts will need to decide who should look after your children. While immediate family are often preferred, the process is not automatic. You may also not wish for your children to be looked after by your immediate family in any event.
NOTE: Choosing a godparent is not the same as choosing a guardian, as godparents have no legal rights. Guardianship will automatically end when your children reach the age of 18.
- Consider your child’s finances.
Unless the will says otherwise, the children will normally receive access to their assets at the age of 18. Many of our clients think that 18 is a bit too young an age to expect children to be financially responsible. With a will in place, they can set a higher age of inheritance such as 21 or even older.
NOTE: The assets will be held in trust and while the children will not be able to manage it personally, they will still be able to benefit from the inheritance.
- Appoint trustees for your child’s inheritance.
If you die before the age your children can inherit, their assets will need to be held in trust.
To manage that trust, you need to nominate people called trustees who, essentially, will stay in control of your children’s finances.
By having a will, you can nominate specific and trusted people to act as your trustees without having to rely on the “one size fits all” intestacy rules.
- Review beneficiaries from trusts, pensions or insurance.
If you have a life insurance policy, a pension scheme or other assets held in trust, these will not be passed down within your will.
If you want your children to inherit these financial products, you’ll need to contact each provider and nominate your children as your beneficiaries.
- Provide for your stepchildren or foster children.
If you have stepchildren or foster children, they will not automatically inherit from your estate unless you specifically include them in your will.*
- Bonus Point: schedule a will review
We advise reviewing your will at least every five years. This will allow you to step back and reflect whether people you’ve nominated to look after your children are still suitable, and whether your instructions still reflect your family’s situation. It is easy to change a will once you have one and at My Local Solicitor, we pride ourselves on building happy and strong relationship with our clients as we assist them in their life journey.
NOTE: circumstances can change at a blink of an eye and so it’s important to keep your will up to date to accommodate this. For example, if you marry or enter into a civil partnership, any existing will is automatically revoked.
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Why not book a free consultation with your local solicitor today? Call us on 01244 478 730 or email hello@my-local-solicitor.com
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Who can witness my will?
What is a witness?
In order for a will to take effect, it must be correctly signed by the testator (the individual making the will) as well as two independent witnesses. Anyone over the age of 18 with mental capacity can witness a will, such as a neighbour, friend, GP, solicitor or members of staff at a bank. The witnesses must not be related to the individual or have any personal interest in the will itself. The role of a witness is to ensure that the same person who has written the will is also the one signing it.
Why are witnesses important?
The main role of a witness is to confirm the identity of the individual who has created the will and to prevent fraud through false signature and coercion. Wills are a written expression of a person’s desires and therefore quite personal, by having the correct witnesses in place, this ensures that the will is valid and can be executed as intended by the individual.
Refusing to sign a will
There are situations where you can refuse to sign a will, these include (this is not a definitive list, so please use your own judgement when taking on such responsibility):
- If you feel the individual whose will you will witness does not have sufficient mental capacity e.g. dementia, brain injury, a disability or a mental illness;
- If you are named as a beneficiary of the will or are related to the individual, you should not sign as a witness,as this could cause disputes later on;
- If you believe the individual is being forced into creating the will; or
- The person signing the will is not the testator.
If you have any doubt as to the testator’s identity or ability, you should refuse to sign the will.
The consequences of incorrect witnessing
If a will is not executed correctly, it will become invalid and could lead to a previous will being considered (if there was one previously) or the intestacy rules would apply. These are a set of rules which govern how property (estate) is divided up if a person dies without leaving a valid will and can result in unfavourable outcomes in some cases. Therefore, it is important to seek legal advice if you are considering making a will or already have one but need it witnessed. Our experienced solicitors can guide you on the most appropriate way to witness your will, depending on your situation.
This article is for the information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For further information, please contact us via email at hello@my-local-solicitor.com or call us on 01244 478730.
Author: Mahum Fatima
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What is the role of an Executor?
What is an Executor?
In short, Executors are people authorised by a Will to deal with a deceased’s estate. They are also responsible for ensuring that the instructions set out in the Will are carried out.
This formal authority is obtained by “proving” the Will at the Probate Registry, which issues a grant of probate as evidence to everyone that the named Executors have the authority to administer the estate.
When the grant of probate is issued, the deceased’s Will becomes a public document.
What are the main duties of the Executors?
The duties of the Executors are mostly to collect the estate, pay all debts outstanding at the date of death (including those arising during the administration of the estate) and to distribute the residue of the estate.
An Executor should be a trusted and reasonable individual who is over the age of eighteen.
If there is no one that the person making the Will could or would like to appoint as an Executor, then there is always an option to appoint a solicitor instead. Solicitors will charge for this service but this would come out of the estate and is often seen as ‘money well spent.’
An increasingly popular, and often more affordable option, is to name family members or friends as Executors and to appoint a solicitor to assist the Executors throughout the process. This could be clarified in a Will and significantly lessen the burden of becoming an Executor while still holding onto the control over the estate.
What would be some of the other roles of an Executor?
- Checking to see if there are any instructions regarding the funeral – this includes checking if there is a pre-paid plan or insurance to help pay for it as well as any specific requests about the funeral itself.
- Notify all of the relevant people such as insurance companies and banks of the date of death.
- Settling the deceased persons finances and paying any bills that are owed.
- Valuing the estate.
- After a valuation has been undertaken on the deceased’s estate, the executor will have to deal with paying Inheritance Tax (if applicable).
- Keep an account on what has needed to be spent and how everything has been administered to show that the Executors have administered the estate properly.
The above roles are only a handful of what Executors have to do, but it shows the level of responsibility Executors have and their role is not often an easy or straightforward task.
Can Executors also be beneficiaries?
Executors do not have to be beneficiaries of the Will, but they can be. Most clients like to leave a gift in their Wills in order to show their gratitude and appreciation to the Executors for the work they had to carry out.
Here at My Local Solicitor, we are more than happy to discuss your particular circumstances and help you choose your perfect Executors and/or assist them with their role when required.
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
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Do I need a solicitor to draft a Lasting Power of Attorney?
There are various DIY kits out there which you may use to write an LPA, however, this is not always a straightforward process and there is a lot to consider. The Office of the Public Guardian estimates that around 15% of the forms they receive contain errors, some of these can go unchecked which can cause issues later on. By using a solicitor, you will have the assistance of a legal expert who can look after your best interests and add details which take care of unexpected circumstances.
Before deciding to write your own LPA, you may wish to consider the following:
- How many attorneys are you appointing?
- What happens if they cannot agree?
- If you have property abroad, have you thought about how this would be managed?
- Do you own your own business? In this case, a separate Business LPA is needed.
- If an error goes undetected and the donor loses capacity, would the LPA still be valid?
The above points highlight the importance of getting a second opinion, as such matters are personal and can have major implications for someone. By having a LPA in place, you could save your family and friends from having to make difficult decisions concerning your health whilst giving you some peace of mind over your own matters. At My Local Solicitor, we do not have extortionate rates and do what is necessary to make this process as stress-free as possible. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation during which we are able to discuss your requirements. In short, the answer to the question above is therefore: why risk it?
Do I need a Lasting Power of Attorney?
There is a common misconception that Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPAs) are specifically designed for the elderly, this is not the case. There may be instances where a person is unable to make their own decisions, examples of this include strokes, heart failure and in the case of meningitis, which is why a well written LPA should not be underestimated. As they provide a significant amount of control to an individual, if written correctly and with professional guidance LPAs can ensure that they work in your best interest. It is also worth noting that an individual may lose mental capacity at any age, if this happens and there is nothing in place that stipulates how their affairs are to be arranged, they risk losing the freedom to express their wishes.
There are two types of LPAs which cover:
- Health and care; and
- Financial decisions
A health and care LPA can only come into force when an individual becomes mentally incapable of making a decision for themselves. This type of LPA covers issues relating to healthcare, treatment and living arrangements. If this is not communicated through an LPA, you could risk receiving treatment which you might not have wished for.
A financial decisions LPA allows you to delegate responsibility of your finances and assets to someone else, this person is called the Attorney.
You can transfer power over matters such as:
- Receiving income and benefits
- Pension payouts
- Paying for your mortgage
- Managing your investments
To find out more, call us on 01244 478730 or email us with your details at hello@my-local-solicitor.com. You can find out more about LPAs here https://my-local-solicitor.com/lasting-powers-of-attorney/
Written by Mahum Fatima
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Can someone witness my Will over the Internet?
Introduction
Under the Wills Act 1837, two witnesses were required to be in the physical presence of the testator for a valid will. Due to COVID-19, social distancing, and the constraints on movement, the signing of wills could not be witnessed, in the presence of the testator. The government introduced a statutory instrument which temporarily changed the Wills Act 1837, and allowed the witnessing of wills, to take place using video-conferencing technology. This article explores the requirements and potential problems of witnessing wills over the internet.
What are the Requirements for Witnessing Wills Over the Internet?
The new legislation will apply to wills made since 31 January 2020, unless the grant of probate has already been issued, or an application has already been administered. The testator, and their two witnesses, must each have a clear line of sight, of the writing of the signature. There must be no undue influence. The testator and witnesses must have capacity. A witness cannot be a beneficiary. The testator must see and be seen by the witnesses, and show them the will and permit them to watch them sign the will. They must confirm they have seen and understand the process. The will must be sent to both witnesses. Both witnesses need to see and be seen by the testator, and each other, when they sign. They must acknowledge they have seen it, to each other. Signatures must still be made on paper. The will should contain an attestation clause, stating the method of signature and witnessing, and details of any recording. The will should be returned for safe keeping. The legislation has a time limit of the 31st January 2022. After this deadline, the requirement for physical presence will return.
What are the Potential Problems?
There are concerns that wills witnessed over the internet could result in undue influence. Someone could compel a testator, to make a will in their favour, and easily avoid being seen by a video camera. The online process will take longer than making a traditional will which could increase the cost. The length of time could result in someone dying before the completion of the will. There could be issues with internet connection and if the recording is not of adequate quality, to prove the signing, then the will may not be valid.
Conclusion
It is clear that the new reforms, which are in line with Scotland, Canada and the US, will mitigate practical difficulties, that the public have experienced, when making wills in the COVID-19 era. However, the potential pitfalls of cost, time and undue influence suggest online wills are rather risky. We strongly advise to firstly discuss your case with a solicitor and explore what could be done.
This article is for the information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact us today for further information or to request a copy of our handy guide “How to safely witness Wills when you are self-isolating”.
Photo by Leon Seibert on Unsplash
Quality | Integrity | Law
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What are digital legacies in wills and why they are important?
The rise of internet users has dramatically increased over the past decade, with Facebook being the first social media network to hold 1 billion registered accounts in its database.[1] This figure shows how crucial it is to make arrangements for any digital legacies during your lifetime.
Digital legacies
A digital legacy is the information that is available concerning an individual after their death. The type of digital legacies may include:
- Photos
- Videos
- Blogs
- Websites
- Gaming accounts
- Social media profiles
- Any other information stored online and all interaction that an individual has with another over the internet is also included.
If a person posts a comment on someone’s Instagram post, this information can be used to form part of a digital legacy and so it is not always straightforward to determine how this piece of information can be used after death. Every company will have its own terms and conditions as to how an account is run and it can be exhausting trying to get a hold of social media sites to inform them of the bereavement. This is why MLS advises clients to make a list of all their digital information, whether it is personal or financial.
Ownership of digital legacies after death
After an individual dies, digital legacies are usually owned by the beneficiary of the will and the online services that store the information. It is a good idea to read up on the end of life policies that each website/provider has in place to ensure that you put all the right procedures in place. For example, Twitter’s policy on this matter includes assisting family members or other authorised individuals with recording a death. They require information such as information about the deceased, a copy of the family member’s ID, and a copy of the deceased’s death certificate in order to close the account. Under no circumstances do they allow anyone access to the deceased individual’s accounts, which means that precious moments may be lost forever if they are not backed up beforehand. There are a number of websites that provide free information and resources on this issue like The Digital Legacy Association and Dying Matters who have Social Media Will templates available to use.
Helpful tips
- Free services like LastPass manage all your online accounts and passwords in once place, which could be useful for the executor of the will to look at.
- Check Google’s Inactive Account Manager to control who your information should be passed on to after death.
- Keep a record of accounts that generate income such as YouTube, monetised blogs or PayPal so you can decide who will benefit from these.
- Memorialisation- Some social media sites like Facebook have an option to memorialise a deceased individual where friends and family members can share memories of that person.
For more information on digital legacies and what to include in a will, contact us on 01244 478730 or email us at hello@my-local-solicitor.com.
Written by: Mahum Fatima
[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/
Read MoreDo I need a digital will?
A recent survey carried out by the Law Society confirmed that a staggering 93% of those who have made a will had not included any digital assets in their will*.
What are digital assets
Digital assets are important and can include everything from your free email and social media accounts through to your cherished family photos and important online bank accounts.
Despite the huge impact that technology has had on our lives in the recent years, few people understand what happens to their digital assets upon their death or why it is important to include them in their will.
I already have a will do I need to make it digital.
Omitting digital assets from a will can leave family members unable to access online accounts or photos. Closure of the deceased’s social media accounts will also be very difficult.
Furthermore, not having a digital will can seriously complicate obtaining the information for probate purposes thus making the whole process more stressful, longer and ultimately more expensive.
What is a digital Will?
Digital will is a will which deals with both your physical and digital assets. A qualified a solicitor will be able to advise you how to best include both types of assets in your will and draft a legally binding document.
MLS’ tip to keep your digital Will up to date:
Keeping a clear record of online passwords ensures that your estate is inherited exactly as you wish, and your loved ones are not faced with any additional stresses during probate.
Does your Will reflect your lifestyle?
Here at My Local Solicitor, we are proud to be ahead of the curve and writing modern digital wills is what we do best. For more information, email hello@my-local-solicitor.com
*A Populus survey of more than 1,000 members of the public commissioned by the Law Society asked several questions about whether people had made a will. The survey took place in late June 2020.
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