Currently 47% of UK adults die intestate, in other words without a will.
The new Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act 2014 (ITPA 2014), came into force on 1 October 2014.
Here are some of the New Rules:
- Where there are no children, the entire estate will pass to the surviving partner (this shuts out blood relatives such as parents, brothers, sisters or their children)
- Where someone dies leaving a spouse and direct descendants the first £250k will pass to the surviving spouse/partner plus 50 per cent of the remaining balance as a capital sum (previously they had a life interest in 50 per cent of the remaining balance)
- Unmarried couples continue to recieve nothing if their spouse dies intestate
If you are tempted to try a ‘do it yourself’ Will, think again, they might be cheap but the consequences of getting it wrong could be extremely costly for your family.
If you own a business you also need to consider carefully what your succession plan will be.
My advice is to see a solicitor carryout estate planning and prepare a will.
steve@bicknells.net
