What Happens If You Die Without a Will?

Many people assume that if they die, everything will automatically pass to their husband, wife or children. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

If you die without making a valid Will, you are said to have died intestate. This means that strict legal rules determine who inherits your estate, regardless of what you may have wanted. For many families, this can cause unnecessary stress, delays and, in some cases, financial hardship.

Your Wishes May Not Be Carried Out

A professionally prepared Will allows you to decide:

• who should inherit your home and savings
• who should receive treasured family possessions
• who should administer your estate
• who should care for your children if they are under 18
• how your estate should be divided fairly between your loved ones

Without a valid Will in place, these important decisions are made according to the law rather than your personal wishes. The intestacy rules can lead to outcomes you never intended, potentially leaving some family members without provision.

What About Unmarried Couples?

One of the biggest misconceptions about inheritance law is that a long-term partner will automatically inherit. Sadly, this is often not the case.

If you are not married or in a civil partnership, your partner may receive nothing under the intestacy rules, regardless of how long you have lived together or what contributions they may have made to your life and household. This is one of the most common reasons unmarried couples choose to make a Will, as it ensures their partner is protected.

Have You Considered Your Pets?

For many people, pets are part of the family. A Will enables you to appoint someone you trust to care for your dog, cat or other pets should anything happen to you. You can also leave money to help provide for their ongoing care, giving you peace of mind that they will continue to be looked after by someone who understands their needs and personality.

Planning for the Future

Making a Will is only part of protecting your family. If illness or an accident leaves you unable to make decisions for yourself, your loved ones may also face significant difficulties unless you have a Lasting Power of Attorney.

An LPA allows you to choose someone you trust to make decisions about your finances or your health and welfare if you lose mental capacity. Without one, your family may have to apply to the Court of Protection, which can be expensive, time-consuming and stressful. By putting these documents in place now, you can prevent unnecessary complications for those you care about most.

As solicitors, we regularly see the difficulties families face when someone dies without a Will or loses mental capacity without a Lasting Power of Attorney. Those situations are often far more stressful and expensive than making these estate planning documents in the first place.

Peace of Mind Does Not Cost a Fortune

Many people are surprised to learn how affordable it is to have a professionally prepared Will. If you would like a quote on will drafting, please contact us for a no obligation quote.

If you are unable to attend our office, we are happy to visit you at home locally at no additional charge.

We Are Here to Help

At Alan Curtis Solicitors, we have been helping families protect their future for many years. Preparing a Will and Lasting Power of Attorney is one of the most important things you can do for the people you love.

If you would like straightforward advice without obligation, please contact our friendly team.