We’re very often asked the following questions: ‘How do I know if my Will is valid?’; ‘How long does my Will stay valid for?’ and; ‘Can I make any changes to my Will?’ The following article will address these questions as well as some rumours that we’ve heard over the past few weeks regarding the…
I had hoped that we would not see a return to the late nineties when low cost Wills, free Wills were rife within the profession. Unfortunately, we are seeing a resurgence of this practice, which is neither good news for the profession or the consumer as most clients who took these services believing they were…
When it comes to storing legal documents there are a range of options available to you, whether you’re a Will Writer, Solicitor or a client of either. But when it comes to choosing a storage provider, how can you be certain that the service you’re getting reflects the cost, or perhaps lack of? Some providers…
Undue influence is the act of applying pressure on a person to coerce them, essentially overpowering the individual’s own will. In relation to wills this could be pressuring a person to include certain provisions in their will. This could be through outright threats to the testator, or by more subtle means. As Estate Planning Practitioners…
Spouses and civil partners are afforded certain benefits when it comes to succession law; benefiting from favourable inheritance rights on intestacy and quite generous inheritance tax exemptions. But what if someone practiced polygamy and dies leaving behind multiple spouses? This is a point of law that our courts have been asked to consider in a…
A person is at liberty to draft their own will if they wish, and therefore pay only for the ink and the paper required to write it or the cost of a DIY kit from a Highstreet stationery shop. Any such “DIY will” will be perfectly valid as long as it meets all of the…
2018 started with a bang, actually a few of them as fireworks lit up the skies around the world. Since New Year’s Day the time seems to have flown by and the team here at the SWW HQ are wondering how many people have already forgotten to keep their New Year’s Resolution. Whether or not…
There are a number of reasons why Wills get challenged. This article aims to discuss some of those reasons and to find out how they are challenged. From the public perspective Anyone over the age of 18 and who has mental capacity in England and Wales can write a Will. For it be valid, it…
The importance of having a valid Will that is fit for purpose is not to be underestimated. In the UK Will Writing is an unregulated profession – this means that anybody can write a Will, whether it be for themselves, or for somebody else. With many Will Writing companies throughout the UK it’s now easier…
There are a number of things that make a Will valid. Please look at this list for further information: The testator must be at least 18 years old. The Will must be in writing. The testator must have made the Will voluntarily without undue pressure. The testator must be of sound mind. They must…
