B P Collins Solicitors: talk to the experts
Gerrards Cross: +44(0) 1753 889995
Beaconsfield: +44(0) 1494 675363
Related stories
Lawyers go to the top of the class in directories
13 November 2008
Prize giving for local photography students
4 November 2008
'Never too soon' to plan for IHT
29 September 2008
Older people 'failing to make wills'
25 September 2008
People urged to make wills
19 September 2008
Changes to inheritance laws to increase the statutory legacy could mean many people do not make wills, according to one expert.
Next year, the statutory legacy, which is paid to the spouse or civil partner from the estate of someone who has died without making a will, will be raised from £125,000 to £250,000 for couples with children, the FT Adviser reports.
For those without children, the legacy is to be increased from £200,000 to £450,000.
However, while Julie Hutchison, estate planner for Standard Life, considered this to be a positive step, she suggested it did not make it any less important for people to make a will.
"It is a welcomed change, however it is important to make a will because if you die without a will, legal fees are higher, you have to go to court to appoint an executor - a will removes all elements of doubt," Ms Hutchison stated.
Currently around half of people die without having written a will, she noted.
Announcing the changes last month, justice minister Bridget Prentice said the move ought to highlight the importance for people to make arrangements for their loved ones.
