Everyone knows they should write a will Lasting powers of attorney, trusts etc but we simply can't find the time to visit solicitors. Now you don't have to, our relationship with HoneyLegal has created 'HoneyPro', follow a simple question set and be presented with a professional report outlining your options and how to pay, as a client of Winstanley Mortgages you can self refer from your client portal or ask me for further details...
Most of us understand that a Will sets out your wishes about what happens to your wealth and possessions after you die. You might not think that you need a Will – here’s why you should seriously consider writing one.
The main purpose of your Will is to look after the people you leave behind. Setting out your wishes makes it easier to distribute your wealth and property, relieving stress for your family at an emotional time.
Most people make a Will because it makes things so much easier for your family after you have gone. It also gives you control and peace of mind.
By making a Will, you have the power to state who inherits what. You can include trusts in your Will to give you and your family members more protection. A Will also lets you make gifts to other family members, friends and charities.
Tax is also a consideration. Although you can’t avoid paying Inheritance Tax, with the right planning in place your estate won’t pay any more Inheritance Tax than is necessary.
People often believe that they don’t need a Will as their spouse will just inherit everything. But that’s not necessarily the case, especially if you have children.
If you die ‘intestate’, without a Will, intestacy laws apply. While these are designed to be fair, they may not suit your situation. Under intestacy laws:
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No. Your Will is designed around your personal situation and your wishes. The wording is very important – it must be clear and unambiguous.
Types of Will include:
Some of the main things that you would include in a Will are:
Executors and trustees – naming the people that you trust to carry out the wishes in your Will. You need to think about the right person for this role – someone confident, competent and that fits with the family dynamics.
Guardians of children – naming people to care for your children if you’re not around. Who are your most trusted family members or friends, who care about you and yours almost as much as
you do?
Gifts – many people choose to write specific gifts into a Will, either of money or treasured possessions. These can be gifts to people or to a charity.
Your wishes – there are many wishes that you may want to have carried out by your executors, and most will be straightforward. But some Wills have to be more complex because life can be complicated. Whatever your circumstances, writing a Will is the only way to make sure that your loved ones will continue to be taken care of in the best way possible.
Your Will must be kept up to date. Important times to review and update your Will include:
A Will is an investment for your family’s future. It’s like a form of insurance for your loved ones.
If you don’t have a professionally drafted Will, the financial cost to your family to sort everything out after you’ve gone could be much greater. On top of that comes the additional stress and pressure at an already difficult time.
Why do I need Life insurance?
Have you considered what would happen to your family, if you were to die and you were no longer there to support them? Money worries can be devastating for your family, at an already difficult time.
A life assurance policy could be the lifeline that helps your loved ones cope financially by providing them with a lump sum in the event of your death. The money can be used for any purpose for example, paying off a mortgage, paying household bills or any outstanding debts.
How much will advice cost me?
Our fees are detailed in our Terms of Business, however, each individuals’ circumstances are different therefore we are unable to confirm an exact fee before the initial consultation, which is free of charge.A typical fee for a standard residential or BTL purchase is £495. When we have learnt of your financial goals, we will advise you of our fee at which point you can decide if you wish to proceed. A point to note is we do not charge any fee until you have received a mortgage offer.
How much can I borrow?
The old system of 3.5 or 4 x your income is gone and now we need to know all your income sources together with all your debt details. We then use a multi lender affordability system to calculate your borrowing ability from over 50 lenders in a single go. It is important not to take on new debt before you are considering a mortgage as any and all monthly payments to debts reduce the level of income to be used in calculating affordability. As a ‘guide’ if you multiply by 12 ALL your monthly payments to loans, HP agreements and credit card payments (using 5% of the balance as a minimum payment) and deduct from your total income and then multiply by 4 you will not be far away, but this needs finalising by your adviser.