Wills & Probate in Kirkdale
Life can be unpredictable; you never know what’s around the corner but knowing that your loved ones will be cared for when you’re gone can give you peace of mind.
According to research carried out by the Law Society, 34% of people without a Will make the choice not to have one because they do not believe that they have anything worth leaving to their loved ones. Oftentimes this is not the case as people severely underestimate the potential value of their estate, failing to take into account pensions, life policies and sentimental personal possessions which can cause issues for loved ones after they pass away.
The law often fails to recognise more complicated family relationships which can lead to misunderstandings, upset and in some cases, lifelong feuds amongst those closest to you. The estate of the deceased which can contain assets, property and personal possessions can quickly turn into bitter disputes.
If you pass away without first making a Will, you will die in what is referred to as ‘intestacy’.
Intestacy has clearly defined rules that sets out who automatically has a claim on your estate. Any claims for a share in an intestacy estate must be lodged at the closest register office to Kirkdale which currently is the Liverpool District Probate Registry. This public body is responsible for dividing up the estate of individuals who die without making a will.
Unfortunately, there are several instances when those closest to you don’t have an automatic claim:
- If you have lived with a partner, unmarried, for several years
- If you have stepchildren or children that you consider to be your own via a partner
By law, your blood relatives are first in line to inherit your estate regardless of how close you were.
A judge will not ignore cases where you have been in a long, loving relationship with your partner and therefore have a strong relationship with your stepchildren but the process of building a case can still be difficult. Your loved ones will have to prove their case by filing a challenge at the Probate Registry and this process can be dragged out over a number of years.
It is for this reason that writing a will is so important.
Writing a will is never an easy process but our supportive team will be with you every step of the way to put your mind at ease. We can work closely with you to draft a watertight document that is in line with your personal wishes and priorities. Any special considerations or gifts can also be accommodated providing they don’t invalidate your will.
At Wafer Phillips, we charge a flat fee of £120 for individual wills and £175 for joint spousal ones, also known as ‘mirrored wills’.
We will also provide you with the following:
- As many additional copies of the will as you would like
- Professional binding to ensure the document’s integrity
- Secure storage of either the original document (£5 fee) or a plain paper copy (no charge)
- Unlimited number of amendments for the remainder of your lifetime if you wish, or need, to make any changes
- Home visits throughout Kirkdale, and out-of-office hours appointments will be accommodated where possible to take initial instructions
For over 25 years, Wafer Phillips have been assisting clients throughout Kirkdale. Our supportive and sympathetic, expert legal team are committed to helping you with all matters regarding wills and probate. If you are interested in finding out more or have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us today on 0151 256 7898 or email us at info@waferphillips.co.uk.
Come and visit our Kirkdale office to find out more
Call us today on 0151 256 7898 or email the office at enquiries@waferphillips.co.uk
