Going through separation and divorce is a stressful time with lots of things to think about. You might not have the headspace to consider your will, but it’s important to think about. Here’s how separation and divorce can affect your will and how you can protect...
Case study: writing a deathbed will
We recently worked with a chap who was very poorly in hospital and knew his condition was terminal. His doctors had told him he only had a few days left, and he hadn’t made a will. We hope his story will help you understand why it’s a good idea to get your will sorted...
How to protect your family when you cohabit
Cohabiting, where couples live together without getting married, is becoming more common. If you’re one of the 6.8 million people currently cohabiting, it’s worth considering what will happen when you’re gone. Here’s how you can protect your family when you cohabit....
What if Terry Venables hasn’t created a will?
While I’m the will writer here at Westcotes Wills, we’re part of a larger community of will writers. If someone dies but their family can’t find their will, the National Will Register will often contact will writers in their area to investigate. It looks as if Terry...
Case study: deputy order application to move to a care home
We often talk about how creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows your loved ones to make decisions for you when you no longer can. However, sometimes, we can’t create an LPA because it’s too late. We’re helping an elderly lady and her family who found...
How do you know if there’s a trust in a will?
If you’ve been appointed executor for a loved one’s will, you have a legal duty to ensure their wishes are followed. Trusts are increasingly common in wills, and you must deal with them properly to avoid problems further down the line. How can you tell if there’s a...
Why you need to pay attention to Trusts
It’s increasingly common to find a Trust in a will, but most people don’t understand what they are or how to deal with them. Property trusts, in particular, are really common, and they must be dealt with properly, or it can cause a lot of problems. Here are some...
Talking about the C-word!
Guest blog by Joanne Warren from Sunrise Care Advisers - Care Navigators A few years ago, a British bank created “The M-word” campaign. It was apparently in response to research from Lloyds Bank that showed money is a bigger taboo in British families than politics,...
When do you need probate?
There’s a lot to organise when someone close to you dies. Once you’ve arranged the funeral, you’ll also need to sort out their affairs. If they made a will, the executors must ensure their wishes are followed. Probate can be part of this process but isn’t always...
How you can protect your assets from care home fees
Any of us might need care support, particularly as we get older. If you need to go and live in a care home, your local authority may pay some of the costs. However, the value of your family home can be taken into account as part of a means test to see how much you’ll...
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