Practice Area
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
Making a will is vital to ensure your assets are distributed exactly as you would want them to be — and provides clarity and peace of mind to your family.
Why make a Will? What do I need to consider?
A document that truly reflects your wishes.
A will is not paperwork. It is an act of care — a private, deliberate instruction that carries your intentions forward when you are no longer here to explain them.
Property and Money
Making a Will is vital if you want to ensure that your assets are passed on in the way that you want them to be.
Executors
Careful consideration is needed to decide on who you wish to appoint to administer your estate.
Spouses, Cohabitants and Children
Spouses, cohabitants and children all have certain rights that need to be considered in making a will.
Young Children
A discretionary trust is advised to ensure protection of assets. Careful consideration is required as to who to appoint as testamentary guardian, trustee of the trust (protector of the assets) and Executors.
Vulnerable Individuals
Consideration should be given to creation of a discretionary trust for a vulnerable adult.
Tax Guidance
Greenlee Solicitors can provide you with general tax guidance so that you can consider tax implications of your intentions. We work with professional tax advisors to ensure that businesses and farms are transferred in a tax efficient manner.
Foreign assets
We take into account foreign assets and whether there is a foreign will.
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
Who should make a will?
Everybody
If you have assets or minor children and are over the age of 18, then you should consider making a will.
Marriage
Marriage automatically revokes a will, so you need to consider making a new one then.
Divorce
Divorce does not revoke a will automatically, so you may wish to review following a divorce or separation
Change of Circumstances
You should review your will if your financial circumstances or family’s circumstances change. We suggest reviewing your will every three to five years.
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning
What happens if there is no will?
If an individual dies without making a valid will then the distribution of the estate and the appointment of a legal personal representative is governed by the law of intestacy, which provides for a distribution based on the closeness of family relationship to a deceased individual.
Arrange a consultation
Plan ahead with confidence
An unhurried initial conversation to talk through your circumstances and the shape of a Will that would serve them best.
