Wills

Do you need a valid Will that ensures your final wishes are carried out? At First Law Solicitors, we can advise you on creating your Will and draft it according to your instructions.

Having a valid Will is an essential part of ensuring that your property and assets will be dispersed as per your wishes after your death. If you do not have a Will, you will die intestate and the Rules of Intestacy will govern how your estate will be dispersed. This could result in certain loved ones being disappointed and even family disputes developing.

Our Private Client team will take the time to listen to what you want included in your Will and ensure that the document is drafted meticulously and conforms to the legal requirements under the Wills Act 1837. You can be confident that by instructing us, your final wishes will be observed and your loved ones taken care of.

What are the requirements of a valid Will?
For a Will to be valid, it must be:

• in writing
• signed by the person who made the Will (known as the Testator), or by some other person in the Testator’s presence and by their direction, and in the presence of at least two witnesses who are both in the room with the Testator at the same time
• signed by the witnesses in the presence of the Testator, but not necessarily in the presence of each other
• each of the witnesses must be over the age of 18, independent, and must not benefit from the Will

Why should I instruct a Solicitor when I can buy a Will template online?
Although it is possible to draft your own Will using a DIY template, if you have significant assets such as your own property/s, a family business, stocks and shares, or vulnerable family members who you want to benefit from the Will, expert advice is essential to ensure you are aware of things such as tax implications and how to deal with your digital estate (for example, your business’s website.

How First Law Solicitors can help

Listen to what you want to achieve
We will listen to you and help you define what you want to achieve when it comes to drafting your Will. We will ask questions to ensure you consider things such as guardianship for your children and what happens if you and your spouse/partner die simultaneously.

Ensure your Will is valid
You can be confident that when we draft a clear, concise Will that meets all the legal requirements under the Wills Act 1837.

Provide independent legal advice
Our Private Client Solicitors will advise you on the consequences of your decisions when deciding on the distribution of your assets in your Will in a practical, straightforward manner.

Advise you on Inheritance Tax
We will ensure you are fully aware of the Inheritance Tax that may be applicable to your estate and any allowances and nil rate bands you may be entitled to.

What our clients say

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for all the care and concern you have shown me, and for working tirelessly to ensure that the law worked in our favour. If it weren’t for your analytical skills and knowledge, the matter wouldn’t have been settled by now. Thanks once again for your legal advice, time, and efforts.

Please fill in our contact form or call us on +44 161 224 4066 to discuss the advising on and drafting your Will.