Making a will

Making a gift to your family and friends while you’re alive can be a good way to reduce the value of your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes and benefit your loved ones immediately. But estate ...

Only a small percentage of estates are large enough to incur Inheritance Tax (IHT), but you mustn’t forget to factor this tax into your plans when you make your will. Our guide explains what IHT is,...

Wondering how to change a will? You’re not alone. Lots of people change their wills when they have children, grandchildren or when their financial situation changes. Depending on what sort of change...

Talking about your plans for what you leave in your will should mean fewer squabbles and less resentment – but how do you start that awkward conversation? ...

When you put money or property in a trust, provided certain conditions are satisfied, you don’t own it any more. This means it might not count towards your Inheritance Tax bill when you die. Thi...

Templates for DIY wills are cheap and easy to find – you can get them online or from stationery shops. But it’s not always a good idea to write your will yourself. We’ll help you to decide....

The person who sorts out your property when you die and carries out the instructions in your will is called your executor. You can choose whoever you like to do this job (and it can be more than one p...

Your will tells everyone what should happen to your money, possessions and property after you die (all these things together are called your ‘estate’). If you don’t leave a will, the law decides...

Getting a solicitor to draw up your will is usually the most expensive way to do it. But if it’s done properly, using a solicitor can save a lot of stress for those you leave behind, as well as givi...

Everyone should have a will, and there are several ways of getting yours written. From solicitors to do-it-yourself wills, read what to expect, what you’ll pay, and how to choose what’s right for ...

Funeral plans and funeral insurance are two different ways of paying for a funeral in advance. Funeral insurance policies are also known as ‘over 50s plans’. Here are some things to bear in mind i...

If anything happens to your will, or if your executor doesn’t know where to find it, you might as well not have written one. You need to decide how to look after your will, then let your execut...

If someone close to you dies, it can change your own future plans. It might affect what you want to put in your own will, so it’s crucial you take some time to think about this....

When making your will, think about how much you have to leave and who gets what. This guide will help you work out the basics, so you can get started with writing your will. ...

A will writing service can be cheaper than a solicitor and more reliable than a DIY will – but make sure you choose one that’s accredited. ...

If you’re worried about the Inheritance Tax that might have to be paid when you die, giving away some of your money to charity – either now or in your will – can reduce the bill. This guide expl...

Doing what you can to sort out your money before you die can really help those left behind, and can avoid problems at a difficult time. Step 1 – Make ...

If you don’t have a will when you die, your money, property and possessions will be shared out according to the law instead of your wishes. This can mean they pass to someone you hadn’t intended

It’s essential to plan how your money should be handled in the event of an illness or death. Good planning will help make sure you or your family are ready to meet any of the costs that might aris...

If you think your estate might have to pay Inheritance Tax, here are five simple things you can do to reduce the taxman’s cut – and not all of them involve changing your will. ...

With a new baby on the scene, making a will is the single most important thing you can do to make sure your child is provided for and cared for by the people you would choose in case you die....