>Millions of us still don’t have a will, but having children can bethe catalyst to address this difficult subject. Babyworld has teamed up with Gordons Solicitors to investigate why failing to write a Will could leave your family in limbo.
Every parent wants to provide the best upbringing for their children both in health, provision and well being. Knowing where to start can feel like a maze and the anxiety of becoming a parent can just make it feel worse.
Taryn Baverstock, a mother of four, from Buckinghamshire had her first baby when she was 26 and said “becoming a parent is a very worrying time. Nobody tells you how to do it – it’s very much, a learning on the job scenario. Suddenly you are totally responsible for someone else and I think that in itself is a very daunting prospect.”
A natural step to take when becoming a parent
With dozens of things to think about before the birth of your child, the last thing on your mind is providing for your child in the event of your premature death. However, you should not under estimate the importance of making a will so that you know what happens to your child, what happens to your money, who supports your child and who looks after your child
in the event of your death? Writing a Will is a simple way to ease your mind so that you know your family wouldn’t be left in need or your child left without a guardian if you died prematurely.
“Writing a will is an easy and natural step to take when becoming a parent,” says Keith Gordon from Gordons Solicitors. “but unfortunately many parents fail to see the need.
Time and time again I have seen people left in difficulty because their parents failed to make sure their money goes to the right people.”
Don’t put it off and assume everything will be ok
A shocking recent survey by the National Consumer Council has revealed that a staggering 27 million people in England and Wales have yet to make a will. It’s often assumed that in the unhappy situation of losing your other half everything would automatically get passed on to you.
“This is not the case,” says Sam Storey, a private client solicitor from Gordons
Solicitors. “Under current UK law without a will married partners aren’t necessarily entitled to everything. If your property is worth more than £125,000 the surviving spouse will only get a percentage of the value. On top of this you may face unnecessary inheritance tax which again can take a slice of the cake.”
The law for unmarried parents is even more shocking. A surviving unmarried partner will get nothing without a written will. It’s a popular misconception and a costly one.
Never an easy subject
Death is not something anyone wants to think about especially at one of the most exciting times in your life. As a parent you have many happy years in front of you but taking the simple step of writing your will is a practical and easy way to provide for your children and take away some of the anxiety in becoming a new parent.
- Writing a will FAQs
- Find out more about Gordons Solicitors
- Use Gordons Solicitors’ online Enquiry Form
Loading ...
