Why make a Will? Here are 10 solid reasons

1. Most of us appreciate the need to protect ourselves and our families from unseen disasters. We insure our homes, our possessions and our lives so that, whatever may happen, our loved ones will be financially secure. Yet ironically, most of us, -- that is around 70% of the adult population of the UK --fail to take the simple steps which can be more important than any of those.

2. Every day around 2,000 people die in the UK, but only a minority have made a Will ( some of which are not up-to-date or valid ). Around 20 million people have yet to make their first Will. ARE YOU ONE OF THEM ?

3. Not making a Will can have disastrous consequences!
   • Joint bank accounts and savings can be frozen until probate
   • Thousands of family heirlooms are sold at auctions because nobody could agree who should have them.

   • The National Exchequer receives millions each year in unclaimed estates from people who died without a valid Will.

4. If you have children under 18 then making a Will is the only way to appoint a guardian. That's a good enough reason to make one but read on ...

5. Avoid unnecessary grief for your family by making sure there are no arguments over inheritance.

6. Take the opportunity to give to the charities and people that matter to you. Bequeathing your goods to your nearest and dearest by making a Will is an important expression of your love for them.

7. Lessen the risks of inheritance tax.

8. Protect the people who depend on you, spouse, children, relatives.

9. By making a Will you gain real peace of mind knowing that you have taken responsibility for your affairs.

10. Here's an extract from The Daily Telegraph July 10 1999 :-

    The need to make a Will cannot be stressed too highly The tragic and premature death of Jill Dando caused her family estate to pay more than £250,000 inheritance tax, it was revealed this week. Like nearly two in every three people who die in Britain, Miss Dando had not made a will. That meant she had not taken any tax avoidance measures, causing nearly a quarter of her estate to go to the Inland Revenue. Last year, about 18,000 families paid £1.9 billion in inheritance tax to the government. Valerie Shiman, chairman of the Institute of Professional Willmakers, said : "If you die intestate, it can cause all sorts of complications. It can take several years to sort out." Mike Warburton, tax partner at accountancy firm Grant Thorburn, said : "Jill Dando was wealthy, intelligent and presumably had professional advisers, and she still omitted to carry out this simple but important element of personal financial planning"

Find out about a Home Visit or request free information or learn more about ABC Wills