Law firm bids to banish stereotypes about wills
October 2 2008
A PRESTON law-firm is launching a campaign to highlight the importance of making a will after a poll on its website found 92 per cent of respondents do not have one.
MWR Solicitors, based in Cannon Street, now wants to challenge the stereotype that wills are expensive to make and only for wealthy or elderly people.
Helen Scott-Parker, a solicitor in MWR’s wills and probate team, says too many people, especially those with families, are jeopardising the financial future of their loved ones by failing to make a will.
If you do not have a will your estate can be dealt with under Intestacy rules, which can be problematic for an average family with property worth more than £125,000.
"A common scenario these days is where one or both parties to a marriage have children from previous relationships. Without careful planning there is a risk the future of the extended families will not be adequately provided for," said Helen.
To raise awareness MWR has launched several initiatives to highlight how simple and inexpensive it is to make a will.
On November 5 and 14, MWR will hold drop-in clinics where anyone can obtain free initial advice on how to go about making a will. Any fees resulting from wills taken on 5 and 14 November will be donated by the firm to Children in Need.
MWR has also launched a free phone advice number of 0800 7310717 for people to obtain advice on wills and future planning.
It has also signed up to Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Wills for Wildlife week, which means it will offer discounted wills between October 20–26, allowing clients to make a small donation to the trust with some of the money saved.
Helen added: "Many people never make a will because they don’t want to think about it, are undecided on the future, or just don’t get around to it.
"Others don’t make a will because they are in perfect health and think it’s something they’ll worry about in the future. Often these are the people who need a will the most because their loved ones will be unprepared to deal with their partner’s financial matters should the unexpected happen.
"Intestacy rules mean that for those who don’t have a will and own a property over the £125,000 threshold, the spouse receives £125,000 on death of the individual. Half of what is left goes to any children and the other half is invested with the interest going to the spouse until death and then any children.
"Therefore, if you want your spouse and your children, or other people, to get some assets or more money you will need a will."
MWR Solicitor’s usual fee for a simple will is £80 for a single will and £150 for a couple making identical wills.
MWR’s wills and probate team specialises in will writing, tax planning, living wills, assets in foreign jurisdictions, wills providing for disabled relatives, statutory wills and Islamic wills.
