Making sure you answer the right questions when creating a will or trust is crucial to cover all parts of your estate. We have identified these questions, and the system will take you through them step by step. This thorough process helps you identify all your assets, clearly explain how you want them distributed, and think about important details like guardianship for minor children. By addressing the right questions, your Will and/or trust will better reflect your wishes, meet legal standards, and reduce the chances of missed details or any successful disputes. 

A well-written Will needs to be clear and specific, with no room for confusion. Every detail, from naming the beneficiaries to deciding how assets are distributed, should be clearly spelled out. This accuracy ensures your wishes are fully understood and followed, which helps prevent misunderstandings or disputes among your beneficiaries. Whilst no one can prevent a dispute we can ensure your wishes are clear and that your Will is valid to reduce the likelihood of this. 

A thorough Will includes all assets, from major assets such as properties through to sentimental or less personal belongings. It should list each and specify who it is to go to and how it is to be split between them. This detailed approach makes sure that nothing is missed and ensures that all elements of the estate are accounted for, providing a complete picture of the testator's wishes. 

Legal compliance is crucial in a well-written Will. The document must meet the legal requirements of the jurisdiction, such as proper signing and witnessing. Compliance ensures that the Will is recognised by the courts, minimising the risk of it being contested or invalidated, and guaranteeing that the testator's wishes are legally enforceable. 

A well-written Will appoints a reliable and trustworthy executor to oversee the distribution of the estate. The executor is responsible for ensuring that the testator's wishes are carried out as specified. Choosing the right person for this role is crucial, as it helps ensure the process is handled smoothly and in accordance with the Will. This could be a family member, friend or you have the option to choose Honey Legal as a professional executor or replacement executor.

A well-crafted Will considers various contingencies, such as the possibility of a beneficiary predeceasing the testator or changes in asset value. By planning for these possibilities, the Will remains effective under different circumstances, ensuring that the testator's wishes are fulfilled regardless of unexpected changes.

If those changes do happen the 'pay once' system means you can seamlessly update your Will for free.

Regular updates are essential for maintaining a well-written Will. Life changes, such as marriage, the birth of children, or the acquisition of new assets, necessitate revisions to the Will. Keeping the document current ensures it accurately reflects the testator's latest wishes and circumstances, providing peace of mind that the estate will be handled according to their intentions. 

Lacks Personalisation: Template Wills are generic and may not address your specific needs or unique circumstances. 

Risk of Omissions: Important details or assets might be overlooked, leading to potential disputes or legal issues. 

May Not Meet Legal Standards: Templates may not comply with legal requirements, risking the Will's validity. 

Inflexibility: Templates often lack the flexibility to include complex instructions or contingencies. 

Outdated Information: Templates might not reflect current laws or best practices, compromising the Will's effectiveness. 

We urge everyone to complete the report for free in order to understand the options available and implications of each option.

You can purchase packages direct from this report.

From there if a Standard Will is your chosen product you need to return to the portal homepage and click 'I know what I want'

This will take you direct to the Will and LPA shop. Be aware that any discount code can only be used on initial purchase. We encourage packages to maximise the benefit to your planning long term.

A standard Will for a single person is £169, a joint/mirror Will for a couple is £219

• Choose trusted guardians for your children
• Ensure you partner inherits if you are unmarried
• Gift heirlooms or items of sentimental value to your loved ones
• Leave donations to charities or organisations you care about

What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document that outlines how a person's assets and estate should be distributed after their death. It allows the individual to specify beneficiaries, appoint guardians for minor children, and designate an executor to carry out their final wishes, ensuring a clear and orderly transfer of assets.

What are the Benefits of a Will?

Having a Will provides several important advantages, helping to ensure your wishes are followed and avoiding complications for your loved ones.

• Ensures assets are distributed as intended.

• Appoints guardians for minor children.

• Reduces risk of potential disputes among beneficiaries.

• Simplifies the legal process for loved ones.

• Helps avoid intestacy laws, which may not reflect your wishes.

What are the Disadvantages of Not Having a Will?

Without a Will, your estate may not be handled according to your wishes, leading to complications for your family and loved ones.

• Assets distributed in accordance with intestacy laws.

• Unmarried partners will not inherit

• No control over who inherits your estate.

• Can cause delays in the distribution of assets.

• Potentially increased legal costs and complications.

• No appointed guardian for minor children, the local authority will decide what happens to them

Trust prices vary and start from £250

Benefits can include:

• Ensuring your partner can continue living in your property
• Protecting your beneficiaries share from third party claims and divorce
• Protecting property following your death
• Protecting vulnerable beneficiaries

What is a trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement in which your appointed trustees, hold and manage assets on behalf of your chosen beneficiaries. You are the creator of the trust and called the settlor. You set specific terms for how and when the assets will be distributed. Trusts are often used to provide long-term asset protection and management.

What are the Benefits of a Trust?

There are many different types of trust, and they offer different advantages, including asset protection and controlled distribution, ensuring your estate is managed according to your wishes. Depending on the type of trust they could

• Protect assets from creditors.

• Control when and how assets are distributed.

• Avoid the need for probate, speeding up asset distribution.

• Provide ongoing financial management.

• Reduce estate taxes and legal fees

• Reduce beneficiary inheritance tax liability

• Multi-generational protection

What if I do not opt for a Trust?

Without a trust, your assets do not benefit from an extra layer of protection and your beneficiaries are more exposed to risk. 

• No protection for beneficiaries as assets are distributed directly to them.

• No protection from creditor claims 

• No protection against financial assessment during divorce

• Assets may go through probate, causing delays

• Lack of protection for vulnerable beneficiaries

LPAs are £450 each. 

(plus the Office of the Public Guardian registration fee, which you will need to pay on submission)

Get a Free Will plus bronze package discount if you purchase both Property & Finance and Health & Welfare.

Lasting Powers of Attorney allow you to:

• Choose people you can rely on to make decisions for you if the worst happens and you cannot
• Ensure family can access and manage funds/policies/mortgages if you lose capacity
• Prevent social services making ALL decisions on your care 
• Prevent loved ones from having to make costly applications to the Court of Protection if you lose capacity through accident or disease

What are Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) 

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are legal document that allow you to choose family members, friends or other trusted people, known as the attorneys, to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the capacity to do so. This can include decisions about finances, health, and personal welfare, ensuring your interests are protected.  There are two documents. A Property and Financial Affairs LPA allows your chosen representatives to handle your bank accounts, investments, bills and property. A Health and Welfare LPA covers decisions about your health and care. The reason there are two is that you may want to choose different attorneys on each document.  

What are the Benefits of the Lasting Powers of Attorney?

Having LPAs in place ensures your decisions are handled by someone you trust, avoiding complications if you're unable to manage your affairs.

• Allows you to decide who you trust to make decisions for you

• Carries legal protection for your attorneys to act

• Prevents court-appointed deputies (for finances).

• Gives your chosen attorneys the ability to choose care homes or have a say in medical decisions.

• Reduces stress for loved ones.

What are the Disadvantages of Not Having Lasting Powers of Attorney?

Without an LPA, decision-making can become complicated and expensive, with courts or local authorities potentially deciding on matters that impact your well-being.

• It can cost your family time and thousands of pounds to be given permission to handle your property and financial affairs

• Loss of ability to renegotiate joint financial arrangements or access insurance payouts

• Risk of court-appointed decision-makers

• Delays in managing finances

• Loss of ability of your loved ones to make choices regarding your health

• Decisions may not align with your wishes

• Stress and confusion for loved ones

• Probate is a legal document submitted when a person dies and is usually needed before any administration of the deceased’s estate can start.
• There are many duties involved which can burden a person who is already distressed after the loss of their loved one. 
• Probate involves preparation of accounts, tax forms and even establishing any trusts created by the Will. 
• There are legal, financial, tax, asset distribution and communication responsibilities which must be fulfilled.
• Our experts can help your relatives through all these duties, so they can focus on what is important; each other.

If you or a loved one would like probate support, please email us at willteam@indigowills.co.uk and we will ask one of the team to contact you.

Bronze Packages:

Single Person: Single Will, 2 x LPAs - £899

Couple : Joint Will, 4 x LPAs - £1599

Silver Packages (includes Will Trusts):

Single Person - £1149

Couple - £2249

Gold Packages (includes Discretionary Trusts)

Single Person - From £1599

Couple - From £2500