When it comes to protecting your loved ones, it’s never too early to put plans into place.

Writing your Will can be a difficult task to face. However, it’s important that you consider drafting your Will as soon as possible to ensure that your loved ones and assets are taken care of after you’re gone. A Will is a legal document which allows you to designate who should receive certain elements of your assets – including finances, property, valuables and family heirlooms – on the event of your death.

It’s a common fault to assume that your assets will automatically be shared amongst the right people after you’ve passed – this simply isn’t the case. Merely expressing your wishes to a friend or family member unfortunately is not enough. If you die inestate (i.e. without having written a Will), there is no guarantee that your loved ones will receive the items and funds that you would like gifted to them.

Passing inestate can be particularly challenging for your loved ones, especially in the following circumstances:

• If you are in a relationship but are not married or in a civil partnership with your partner, they will not receive any of your assets automatically
• If you have children from a previous relationship and have since re-married, your children may not receive anything
• If you have step-children, even if you’ve raised a step-child as your own, they will not receive anything of yours, unless you have formally adopted them
• If you are separated from a previous spouse but not fully divorced, they could still inherit a portion of your assets

Writing a Will is the only way to see your wishes fulfilled after you have passed.

The expert solicitors at DRN are committed to providing the very best standards of service and will be available to provide support and reliable advice, informed by years of experience, throughout the process of completing your Will.

We also offer a Will review service for those who already have a Will in place, but would like to make some changes.

Changes made to Wills include, but are not limited to:

• A change in financial circumstances
• The loss or acquisition of personal assets
• Entering a new relationship (co-habiting, or other)
• Marriage
• Separation or divorce
• The receipt of an unexpected windfall, such as an inheritance award or cash prize
• Any detail related to your health
• The addition or removal of an individual to or from your Will