Not All Heroes Wear Capes – 50% off Wills for Northamptonshire & Buckinghamshire NHS Staff

Many law firms around the UK, including ourselves, have seen an increase in the number of enquiries relating to preparing or updating a Will, mainly from elderly or vulnerable individuals.

In light of current circumstances, key workers, those who are working on the frontline of the pandemic, have also been advised to put their affairs in order. As such, Franklins are currently offering a 50% discount to all NHS staff in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire who wish to prepare their Will. 

It is important to remember that a Will not only ensures that your wishes as to who will benefit from your estate when you pass away are clear but also deals with other important matters such as who will care for any minor children that you may have, can specifically gift sentimental items to specific individuals ensuring that certain assets are kept in the family or, with careful planning, can also protect vulnerable beneficiaries. 

There is also a common misconception that if someone were to pass away, everything will pass to their surviving spouse. This is simply not the case. If you pass away without a Will, the intestacy rules confirm the first £270,000 will pass to the surviving spouse, together with all personal possessions. The remainder of your estate, if you have children, will then be divided so that 50% will pass to the surviving spouse and 50% will pass to equally between the children. This could have unintended consequences and could leave the survivor in a very vulnerable position, especially for example if there are children from previous relationships.

Another issue to also remember, is that cohabitees will not inherit under the intestacy rules. This may lead to a cohabitee being left in a vulnerable position whereby they may have to sell their property for example to release the equity to the beneficiaries of your estate. This may have a knock on effect of the cohabitee having to bring a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 which will in itself incur unnecessary costs and heartache for those left to deal with matters, and which could all have been avoided with the preparation of a Will.

We cannot stress enough how important planning for the future is and here at Franklins we are dedicated to assist where we can. If you would like to obtain advice or guidance regarding the preparation of your Will, please contact our Private Client team on privateclient@franklins-sols.co.uk or call our Northampton office on 01604 828282 / Milton Keynes 01908 660966.