Wills are often straightforward and can be written with the minimum of fuss, whether you are a single person or a married couple. Some wills, however, require very special technical knowledge and our experience and expertise will ensure that you have the right will for your particular needs.

Harrison Clark will help plan suitable wills for those in second marriages with more than one family to consider, and for civil partners or unmarried couples who own property jointly, or run a business which cannot be split or sold.

Often we will advise you to incorporate trusts into your will in order to protect the very young or other vulnerable members of your family, and in order to preserve your property, your possessions and your business.

The right will can be a strategic building block in the overall management of your family wealth.

Harrison Clark will also help those who have no family. It may be appropriate to choose suitable charities to benefit after your death, or you may want to choose your executors with care, and give them the discretion as to how to distribute your estate.

We also offer a full executor and trustee service if you prefer to choose a professional rather than friend or family.

Do you have a will?

If the answer is no, then read on!

What happens if you don’t have a will?

- There will be a delay in settling your estate

- Your family will be uncertain as to whether they benefit, and

some of them may not

- The family will have to go to Court to have somebody appointed to administer the estate

- Your estate will usually not go exactly where you want but according to the arbitrary rules of the intestacy

- There is usually additional expense for legal fees and Court fees, often running to several hundred pounds

When should you make or review your will?

- Your first or new job and new pension arrangements

- When you marry, have a long term partner, separate or divorce

- When you buy your first home

- When you have children

- If you inherit some money

- When you retire

- As you get older

- When you say, "I’ve been meaning to do one for ages."

What can you do in a will?

- Leave your estate exactly where you want it to go, including charities

- Appoint suitable executors who will have the duty to deal with your estate

- Provide for part of your estate going to young children. They will otherwise inherit at the age of 18, which may be too young in many cases

- Plan to mitigate the effect of Inheritance Tax

- Know that your affairs are in order, which makes you feel better

- Take account of certain legal rules which give some members of your family special rights

For initial advice or assistance concerning the services we provide, or for a general chat about planning these aspects of your personal affairs please contact Dawn Oliver or Chris Milne on the telephone numbers or email addresses shown on the right.