Protect Your Legacy with Affordable Wills

You should review your will every five years, or following any major change in your life, including:

• Marriage or civil union: In England and Wales, marriage automatically revokes an existing will unless it was made in direct anticipation of a marriage.

• New dependents: If you have more biological or adopted children, you may need to consider updating the guardianship clause in your will, which defines who you would like to look after them if you pass away before they are adults.

• Divorce: While a divorce doesn’t cancel your will, it does automatically remove your ex-spouse as a beneficiary or executor. This could mean that there’s a partial intestacy in your will, and those whom you would want to benefit may not necessarily do so.

The role of the executor in a will is to manage the deceased person’s estate. They are the person legally responsible for executing the instructions laid out in a person’s will, including estate administration, paying debts, inheritance tax and distributing assets to the beneficiaries.

The executor is often a spouse, a child, or another family member, and a will can appoint up to four executors.

The cost of making a will varies depending on your circumstances, the complexity of your estate and the provider you choose. It is recommended that you compare service providers and understand what is included in the service before proceeding. 

You can expect to pay £150-£200 for a single will from an online provider, or £500+ for a solicitor to undertake the work. Our team can explain the referral process and connect you with an independent estate planning provider, who can advise on the most suitable option for your circumstances.

Yes, there is no legal requirement for a will to be written by a solicitor, and you can write one yourself. However, there are strict legal requirements that need to be adhered to, and a home-made will can cause problems for your family after your death if these are not fully met. Professional guidance helps you avoid these mistakes, simplify complex issues and ensure that the will is written in a way which provides watertight protection.

There is an additional cost for involving professionals in the process, but it can often pay to have peace of mind knowing that the paperwork has been completed correctly. You will still need to sign your will in front of two witnesses (who are not beneficiaries) for it to be legally valid.

You can ask anyone to be a witness to a will, provided they are not due to become beneficiaries. For the document to be legally valid, 

• Your witnesses must be 18 or over

• You must be making it voluntarily 

• You must be of sound mind

• The will must be made in writing 

• You must sign it in the presence of two witnesses who are both over 18 and have them sign it in your presence. 

Our team can answer questions and help you fill in the details if the process starts to feel overwhelming.

A will does not expire once it has been correctly made and remains valid until it is replaced by a newer will or revoked. Though it’s recommended to review your will periodically, particularly when significant life events take place, it won’t make your will invalid if you do not choose to do so.

Dying without a will in place will mean you are known as dying intestate. This means your estate will be distributed according to intestacy rules rather than your personal wishes. This may affect who can inherit your money, property, savings and investments. 

Funerals With Grace makes will writing simple and flexible. Depending on the provider, consultations can be arranged over the phone, by post, or online. This easy process ensures clients across the UK can create a will that suits their needs without worry.

If your circumstances change, you can update your existing will by making an official amendment called a codicil. This may be necessary if your assets or chosen beneficiaries change. In some circumstances, it’s more appropriate to write a new will, but your consultant can advise you on the best option.

Yes, Scottish wills are governed by different legal rules and laws from wills in England and Wales. If you live in Scotland, it is important to consult with a legal service provider who understands Scottish succession law to ensure your will reflects the correct legal requirements.