Why Make a Will?
The majority of adults in this country have no valid Will. As a result, seven out of every ten people who die leave their loved ones with what may be unnecessarily complicated problems, at a time they are least able to deal with them.
If you die without a Will, the law will decide how your property is to be divided amongst the members of your family. This may not result in a true reflection of your wishes.
Making a Will is a relatively simple process for most people. It will give you the peace of mind knowing that your family will not be troubled by the complexity or expense that may result from an intestacy (dying without a Will).
Making a Will enables you to:
Choose precisely how your property and possessions should be dealt with in the event of your death
Appoint an executor who will deal with all the necessary paperwork and procedures on your families behalf
Create trust for your children and give directions as to who look after them
Give particular gifts or sums of money to specific people or organisations
Minimise and restrict tax liabilities
Make a mirror Will with your spouse or partner
What We Will Need To Know
We will need to know the following details from you:
What you own
Who gets what
Family and other beneficiaries
Guardians
Other wishes
Executors of your will
Our Team’s Qualifications and Experience
Our dedicated Trusts, Wills and Probate Team comprises two Partners (one of whom is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), a Senior Solicitor and a Legal Assistant. Between them our Team Members have in excess of 50 years’ experience in Wills, Probate and Estate Administration.
We are also Members of the Certainty Network of solicitors.
We follow best practice procedures and adhere to the highest standards of technical expertise and client service. Where a complex issue arises and additional expertise in other areas of law are required, we liaise with other departments within Chhokar & Co.
Where appropriate we may also seek guidance and support from specialist barristers. Additional costs may be incurred in such cases.
Dedicated Wills Service
Some Common Myths about Wills
- “Making a Will with a solicitor is expensive”: Our fixed fee scheme keeps the cost to an absolute minimum and means that making a Will is good value.
- “I am not rich enough to need a Will”: This is probably not true. Homes, cars and insurance policies alone can amount to a considerable sum. A Will is also used for a variety of purposes entirely unconnected to the amount of money you have, such as specific gifts or the appointment of guardians.
- “I am too young to be so morbid.”: Making a Will does not in any way hasten your death. It does however, enable you to have the peace of mind that, in the event of an accident or sudden illness, the future of your family and arrangements for your possessions will e as you wish them to be.
- “I do not need to worry as I made a Will years ago.”: Circumstances change and Wills need to be reviewed at regular intervals. Your financial position may have altered, or you may have married or divorced. (Marriage or divorce could invalidate any previously made Will.) One of the beneficiaries named in your Will may have died. If you have already made a Will and it is now quite old, we shall be happy to review it with you to see if any changes need to be made.
- “My wife /husband will get it all anyway.”: This may depend on several factors and it is not always guaranteed. By making a Will, you can be sure.
The Cost
Indicative Costs
We have created a fixed price standard Wills Service which will be of benefit to the vast majority of our clients.
Uniquely, the Service has simple procedures and a high level of personal advice.
Service : Standard Will
Assumptions : Immediate Family provision E.g. Husband/Wife leaving Estate to Husband/Wife and children
Charges : £300 plus vat
Service : Mirror Wills
Assumptions : Husband and Wife both make identical wills. Husband/Wife leaving Estate to Husband/Wife and children – either can change
Charges : £550 plus vat
Service : Mutual Wills
Assumptions : Husband and Wife both make identical wills. Husband/Wife leaving Estate to Husband/Wife and children – neither can change
Charges : £1000 plus vat
The Process :
In straight forward cases we would take the following steps on your behalf :
- Appoint a dedicated Fee Earner to handle your case
- Have an initial consultation meeting with you
- Discuss your circumstances, wishes and requirements
- Take your instructions
- Draft your Will
- Meet with you to go through the contents of your Will to ensure that it meets your requirements
- Attend upon you when you execute your Will (including providing two witnesses)
- Provide you with the original duly executed Will together with a copy
Additional Costs :
In limited circumstances we may be prepared to store your Will at our offices. In such a case we shall register your Will with Certainty and provide you with a Certificate of Registration. There is an additional cost of £50 plus vat for each Will stored / registered. This service is entirely optional and we reserve the right to decline to provide this service.
Bespoke Wills :
If you wish, or it is apparent from your circumstances that our standard Wills Service is not likely to be suitable for you, we shall discuss your specific requirements and provide you with an estimate of our Legal Fees for your bespoke Will.
The Procedure
When you instruct us to prepare your Will, we will send you a Questionnaire to complete and bring with you when you come for your appointment. A copy of this Questionnaire can also be downloaded by pressing the blue button above.
At the Meeting we can discuss with you all the details of your Will and give advice on any other aspects on which you may be unclear.
When you are completely satisfied that your Will truly reflects your wishes, we will prepare the final document. Please note that we will not retain or store the original executed will, but hand it to you and merely retain a copy for our own records.
Signing The Will
Where To Keep The Will
Keeping Your Will Up To Date
You should review your will at least every five years and after any major life change such as getting separated, married or divorced, having a child or moving house.
It is possible to make minor changes (or ‘codicils’) to your existing will. However it is best to deal with any major changes by getting a completely new will drawn up. In both cases it is best to consult us first.
Chhokar & Co Solicitors
a business name of
ChhokarLaw LLP -OC448596
29a The Broadway
Southall, UB1 1JY
- +44 (0) 208 574 2488
- law@chhokar.com