Unite Wills has changed its name to Union Wills, allowing anyone who is a member of a union access to our services.

Making a Will

Writing an accurate will with Union Wills will provide you with invaluable peace of mind in knowing that your family will be financially protected and that your possessions will be safe when you’re no longer around.

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Why write a will?

Writing a will ensures that your estate will be distributed without significant delay, in line with your wishes. It outlines who should receive what parts of your estate, which in-turn ensures that disputes among your family do not cause unneeded stress following your death.

Having an accurate will in place minimises the financial and emotional distress placed upon your loved ones, and avoids lengthy legal processes that would occur if you were to die ‘intestate’ (without a will).

 

Passing away without a will

Many people believe that their estate would be left to their family automatically if they were to die without a will in place, but that is not always the case.

Passing away intestate could place unneeded stress on your loved ones at a time that is already difficult enough, as UK law means that Intestacy Rules will be enforced if you pass away without a will in place.

These rules determine how your estate will be distributed, which may not be in line with your individual preferences.

There are many factors that could affect the distribution of your estate, including:

  • Previous partners and common law partners
  • Children from previous relationships
  • Children under 18
  • Same-sex partners without an official civil partnership
  • The value of your estate

 

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Who can make a will?

While we recommend that everyone has an accurate will, it’s particularly important for those people who are married and/or have children or other dependants.

The main requirement to be able to write a will is that you have ‘sound testamentary capacity’, which essentially means that you are of sound mind and fully understand what’s included within your will and how your estate will be shared in the event of your death. 

If you could be considered as any of the following, you should get in touch with us today to arrange your will: 

  • Married couples
  • Unmarried couples (as not being married could lead to more complications)
  • People with step-children or children from a previous relationship

Due to Intestacy Rules, step-children will not be provided for if you die without a will in place, which means that you should have a clear and professional will written if you wish to leave any of your estate to your partner’s children. 

Unmarried couples are not recognised by Intestacy Rules either, but you can decide to leave your estate to any type of partner if you write a will with Union Wills.

 

When to write a will in the UK

Along with having ‘sound testamentary capacity’, the only other requirement to make a will is that you are 18 years old or over. The only exceptions are active soldiers or sailors, who are able to make a will at any age due to occupational hazards. Even if you are a British Expat living abroad, you can look to create a will with the right guideance. 

We understand that writing a will is unlikely to be on your mind as you turn 18, but there are some milestones in life that make it appropriate to write (or update) your will, despite how fit and healthy you may feel. 

Most people tend to consider writing a will when they: 

  • Get married
  • Have children
  • Gain assets (a property, business, vehicle, and so on) 
  • Have a health scare

Of course, it is possible to write a will on your own with no assistance, but we strongly recommend against doing so, for the benefit of yourself and your loved ones.

Some cases can be complex, and if your will is not written accurately (in terms of the legalities, for example), Intestacy Rules could come into play and determine how your estate is distributed. 

Union Wills’ are highly experienced in helping clients make a clearly written will to represent their exact wishes, covering all legal bases in order to ensure that their estate is protected. 

We provide our professional services with as little complicated legal jargon as possible, so that you understand exactly what’s included within your will and what will happen when you pass away.

 

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The benefits of having a will

The main benefit you’ll receive from making a will is the peace of mind in knowing that your estate will be distributed to your loved ones in line with your wishes. Some other advantages include: 

  • It helps avoid family disputes over your assets and estate
  • You can ensure that your loved ones are financially secure
  • You can clearly state who your children’s legal guardian should be if both parents should pass away
  • There are ways to save on inheritance tax
  • You can determine who gets what parts of your estate 
  • The Intestacy Rules can be avoided
  • You can choose your executors
  • Funeral arrangements and preferences can be outlined

 

Writing a will with Union Wills

If you’re looking for a hassle-free way of protecting your family and ensuring that your estate is distributed in line with your preferences, the best way to write a will is via our online service.

Here at Union Wills, our service is available anywhere at any time, so you can write a will within the comfort of your own home, that protects your estate and your family when you are no longer around.