A Will is probably one of the most important documents you will ever sign. It states who you wish to inherit your assets and who should look after your children if the worst happens. Inheritance Wills helps families across Cambridge, Ely, King’s Lynn, Swaffham and Peterborough get a will written with our fixed-fee Will Writing service.

What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document that sets out what you would like to happen to everything you own, known as your ‘estate’, once you pass away. It names the people responsible for carrying out your wishes, known as your ‘executors’, who are usually family members or close friends.

A Will is not just about who inherits your money and possessions. It is also about protecting the people you care about. Alongside your instructions for your estate, a Will can record your funeral wishes, set up protective trusts for loved ones and name legal guardians to look after your children should you pass away before they’re 18 years of age. Without named guardians, this decision could be taken out of your family’s hands.

If you die without a valid Will, or one cannot be found, your estate is distributed according to the government’s standard rules, known as the ‘Rules of Intestacy’. These rules do not take your personal wishes into account, which means the wrong people could end up benefiting from your estate, and people you intended to provide for could be left with nothing.

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What can and can’t you include in a Will?

Once you understand what a Will is for, the next question is usually what can actually go in one. 

A Will can be used to cover a wide range of decisions, including:

• Who should inherit your property, savings, and possessions.
• Specific gifts of money or items to particular people or causes.
• Who should act as guardian for any children under 18.
• Funeral wishes, such as burial or cremation preferences.
• The setting up of trusts to protect assets for a spouse, children, or other beneficiaries.
• Naming your executors, the people who will carry out your wishes.

There are, however, some rules when it comes to what a Will can’t do. 

A will cannot be used to avoid paying debts. Additionally, any jointly owned assets like a house that pass automatically to a surviving joint owner generally fall outside the terms of your Will. It also cannot override certain legal protections, for example a spouse or dependant may still be able to make a claim against your estate in some circumstances, even if they have been left out. This is exactly the kind of detail our Will Writing team talks through with you, so you fully understand how your will affects your particular circumstances before anything is signed.

Why should I get a Will written?

Getting a Will written isn’t just for those with large estates or older people. If you have money in the bank, own property or have children under 18, you need a Will. It is one of the clearest ways to make sure your wishes are respected and your family is protected.

There are several reasons families across Norfolk and Cambridgeshire choose to get a Will written with Inheritance Wills rather than leave things to chance:

Protection for your family

Without a Will, decisions about your estate and your children’s future are left to the courts rather than to you. Getting a will written puts you in control.

Peace of mind

Knowing your affairs are in order and that your loved ones will be looked after in the way you intend, brings real peace of mind, both for you and for your family.

Avoiding unnecessary complications

A clear, valid Will can help your executors administer your estate more smoothly, reducing the risk of disputes or delays at what is already a difficult time for your family.

The different types of Will

Not every family’s circumstances are the same, which is why there are different types of Will to suit different dynamics. During your Will Writing appointment, we will talk you through which option is right for you.

The main types of Will include:

Single Wills

A Single Will is a straightforward Will written for one individual, setting out their wishes for their estate, guardianship of children and appointment of executors.

Mirror Wills

Mirror Wills, often used by couples, are two individual Wills with largely matching terms, typically leaving everything to each other and then on to the same beneficiaries such as children.

Wills with protective trusts

For those who want to protect assets, such as the family home, for a spouse and then for children or other beneficiaries, a will can include a trust. A protective trust can be put in place to protect your home from new partners and being sold to pay for care costs.

Wills including specific gifts and legacies

These Wills allow you to leave particular items, sums of money or charitable donations to named individuals or organisations, alongside the rest of your estate.

Whichever type of will suits your circumstances, we give full, free advice as part of the Will Writing process. Where some faceless, online Will Writing companies will simply take your instructions without offering any advice, we believe it is essential that you fully understand the document you are signing and how it affects your estate. This is why we also offer an estate review to check for any liabilities, such as a possible inheritance tax bill.

How Inheritance Wills help with Will Writing in East Anglia

At Inheritance Wills, we are fully insured, a member of the Society of Will Writers and offer face-to-face Will Writing appointments. We are pleased to say we tick all these boxes, and more. We are also approved by Trading Standards under their ‘Buy with Confidence’ scheme and we are also approved by Norfolk Trusted Trader.

We offer complete transparency, working on a fixed-fee basis with no hourly rates or hidden costs. Our prices are explained before any work begins. Our face-to-face Will Writing appointments can take place in your own home or at one of our shop fronted branches in Cambridge, Swaffham, King’s Lynn, Ely, or Peterborough, so you always know exactly who you are dealing with throughout the process.

Getting a Will written with Inheritance Wills means you’ll receive clear, plain English advice, with no jargon and no pressure, from a friendly, family run company that has been helping thousands of families across East Anglia for over 15 years.

Whatever stage of life you’re at, having a valid will in place means your wishes are recorded, your family is protected and the people you care about are looked after in the way you intend. Our friendly team is on hand to answer any questions, explain the different types of will, and guide you through the whole process at a pace that suits you, with no-obligation and no confusing jargon.

If you’re ready to get a will written, get in touch with your local branch today. Call us on 0800 170 0475, complete our contact form or visit one of our high-street offices in Cambridge, Swaffham, King’s Lynn, Ely or Peterborough to arrange your free, no-obligation appointment, at home, in branch or on the phone.