More about our Will writing services. Aber Wills Ltd was set up in response to requests from family and friends for advice and guidance on the subject of Wills, guardianship of small children and general inheritance issues. Having successfully resolved the queries of immediate family, it became clear that there was a need for services of this nature to be provided to a wider audience.
Market research shows that the majority of the adult population has no Will. There are many reasons for this and in some respects it is entirely understandable. No-one likes to talk about the inevitable, but it’s only sensible to think ahead, make some plans and ensure our affairs are in order. After all, we have insurance for all sorts of things (house, car, pets, travel and so on), and think nothing of spending hundreds if not thousands of pounds on such policies. But we may never need to make an insurance claim. So why the reluctance to have a Will (at a fraction of the cost of insurance) which is something we’ll all need at some point?
Bear in mind that if we don’t make a Will we lose the element of choice – who then inherits from us is decided not by us or our relatives, but by a strict set of laws known as the Intestacy Rules – and the result of that might not be to our liking!
Read on to find out more….
About Our Services
We are aware that there are plenty of companies out there providing Wills, but few offering our level of experience and expertise – over 25 years. And all of our Wills and related documents are prepared and checked by legally qualified staff. Our attention to detail is second to none so you can rest assured that your important documents are prepared to professional standards. We want nothing more than to provide you our clients with a first-class service so that you are happy not only with the documents we prepare for you, but happy to recommend us to your family and friends.
Initial enquiries can be made by telephone or email as you prefer. We ask a few straightforward questions to enable us to understand your position. We may be able to discuss your requirements and make recommendations immediately. Other cases may require us to arrange a convenient appointment with you (which can be by telephone, video call or email).
Based on what you tell us we will advise on the type of document you need, the time it will take to prepare and the likely cost to you. If you agree that you would like us to go ahead, we ask for proof of your identity and address, and that you accept our Terms of Business. We can then start work for you. It’s that simple.
When your documents are ready we let you know and usually send you a preview of the finished article. At this stage we ask for the agreed payment by way of a bank transfer and on receipt we send your documents to you by post with detailed instructions on how to sign. It’s very important that a legal document like a Will is signed correctly so please follow the instructions to the letter. For your reassurance we offer (free of charge) a checking service. Once you have signed your document, feel free to scan or photograph it and send us a copy. We will check for any obvious errors in the signing process and if there are any, we’ll send you a further copy of your document for you to sign, again without charge.
Once signed you should keep your document in a safe place with your other personal papers, and do let your trusted family members and friends know the location.
If you have any queries at any stage please feel free to ask us. We’re happy to explain any part of the procedure to your satisfaction.
Documents We Can Provide
- Wills
- Powers of Attorney
- Severance of Joint Tenancy
- Letters of wishes
Everything we do is reasonably priced – we are only too well aware of the prices charged for legal documents and services – and as a small company we have low overheads, so we’re able to pass the benefits on to our clients. Unlike other Will-writing companies we don’t have a set of fixed prices because every Will is a personal document and prepared only for you. Our charges start at just £90 for a simple Will, with a substantial discount for couples making their Wills at the same time. All charges are agreed with you in advance so you always know what to expect.
FAQs
Why bother making a Will at all?
The short answer is that if we don’t, the state decides who inherits from us and our wishes are of no effect.
Having a Will means our wishes are respected, we can choose who inherits from us and we have the certainty and peace of mind of knowing that our affairs are in order.
Despite this, more than half of UK adults have no Will.
But what if I don’t have anything worth leaving?
This is a common view held by many of us. The fact is that we often have more than we think. Many people will have a death in service benefit provided by work. Life insurance will often be in place to cover mortgage commitments. A workplace pension will pay out a lump sum. And don’t forget about those personal possessions and treasured items – who gets them? To an extent it doesn’t matter how much you’ve got, making a Will gives you reassurance and peace of mind that your wishes will be carried out.
What about Inheritance Tax?
For many people this won’t be a problem. Each individual has an allowance called a ‘nil rate band’ of £325,000 which normally can be transferred to their spouse/civil partner. This means that ultimately up to £650,000 can be transferred free of tax on the death of the second partner.
If you are fortunate enough to have an estate in excess of this amount, you should consider specialist tax advice. If required, we can recommend a local tax expert.
What about families with children?
Couples with children under 18 should have Wills not only to ensure their children inherit, but crucially to appoint guardians to look after their children until they become 18. If no guardians are appointed, Social Services and the Courts may have to become involved to decide who looks after the children. That’s not a situation any of us would want.
What if I’ve remarried and there are children from previous relationships?
We strongly suggest that both you and your new partner make Wills clearly setting out your wishes and consider the ownership of your property. If you don’t there is a danger of some children being disinherited.
But won’t it all go to my wife / husband / civil partner anyway?
Not necessarily. If there’s no Will the Intestacy Rules apply and will dictate who inherits. This may work out fine, but then again it may mean that people we don’t want to inherit will do so. The only way to be sure is to have a Will.
What if I’m in a “common-law” relationship? What happens then?
If there’s no Will providing for the surviving partner, they get nothing. The Intestacy Rules do not allow cohabitees to inherit from each other. Harsh but true and disastrous for the surviving partner in many cases. The way around this is to make a Will.
How long does it take to prepare a Will?
Once we’ve spoken to you, we’ll prepare your Will according to your wishes, normally within five working days. We’ll then get back in touch with you to arrange signing and witnessing. Don’t worry, it’s not a long process and we guide you every step of the way.
How much does it cost?
It depends what you want in it. A complicated Will containing many different provisions will be more expensive. Our charges are very competitive and are agreed with you in advance and there are no hidden or extra charges. The price we agree is the price you pay.
These are some examples of the many questions that can arise in relation to Wills and inheritance. You may have others we haven’t listed here, in which case we’d be happy to answer them for you. We don’t charge you for asking questions, and you can be assured of a friendly response, so please do get in touch via our contact details.
Aber Wills Limited
Unit 4
Ffordd yr Onnen
Lon Parcwr Business Park
Ruthin
Denbighshire
LL15 1NJ
Telephone: 07557 116 317
Email: info@aberwills.co.uk