There are strict rules surrounding Wills and the administration of estates after a death, meaning that relying on some common beliefs could cause problems for your loved ones. We take a look at some common misconceptions and what the true position is.
**This article was edited on 26 July 2023 to reflect changes in the law that increased the amount that passes to a spouse on intestacy (the Statutory Legacy)**
My spouse will inherit everything if I die
If you die without making a Will, then the Rules of Intestacy will govern who inherits your estate. If you have children, these rules provide that your spouse will inherit all of your personal possessions together with the first £322,000 of your net estate. The remainder of the estate will be split into two, with your spouse receiving one half while your children share the other half equally between them. This could mean that your spouse inherits less than you had anticipated resulting in uncertainty for their future, which might not be what you want to happen.
Getting married will not affect the provisions made in my Will
If you marry, your Will automatically becomes invalid (unless you have made a Will specifically in contemplation of your marriage) and your estate will pass under the Rules of Intestacy. It is therefore important to make a new Will if you marry.
I can make alterations to my Will provided I initial them
This is not the correct way to alter your wishes and any amendments made in this way will not take effect. It is often best to make a new Will if you want to change some of the provisions. The new Will should state that it revokes all previous Wills.
If I die, my family can decide who will look after my children
If you do not make a Will specifying who you want to be your children’s guardians, and there is not a surviving parent with parental responsibility, it will be for the court to decide who will look after them. Even if someone steps forward to take on this role, the court may choose someone else.
If you make a Will, you can set out who you want to act as guardian and also appoint trustees to look after any money you are leaving your children until they are at the age at which you would like them to inherit.
My home will pass to my spouse
What will happen to your home will depend on the type of joint ownership you have. If you own it as joint tenants with your spouse, then they will automatically own it, should you die. If you own it as tenants in common, then your share will pass in accordance with the terms of your Will or the Rules of Intestacy. This could mean that your spouse could be forced to leave the property if your share passed to someone else.
Making a Will is complicated and expensive
Making a Will can be quite straightforward and need not take long. It provides the peace of mind of knowing that you have provided for your family, should anything happen to you.
The cost of a Will is a small price to pay for the comfort of knowing you have in place clear details of your wishes. If you do not have a Will, there is an increased risk of a dispute arising after your death. If your executors are forced to defend legal action, this could be extremely expensive and drain your estate of funds.
If you would like to speak to one of our expert Wills and probate lawyers, contact our Farnham office on 01252 733770 or online.
This information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as a substitute for taking full legal advice on specific facts and circumstances.
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