Everyone should make a will

[meles]

Maybe our circumstances were simpler. There was just Mum and me, and Dad had left it all to her. The executer was me. Her friend also only had one child, but it still took and age to sort. The executer was a solicitor.

meles

[LizzieW]

It all depends how much a person leaves.  My mum didn't make a will, she only had about £6000 in savings and I didn't have to get probate at all.  I just completed some forms for the bank and National Savings and they sent me cheques for the amounts in question.  National Savings did tell me that I had to share the money with my brother - as he's in US and has been for about 45 years, he says he only wants a third - blooming cheek he has only been back about half a dozen times in all those years and if he couldn't be bothered to come over for either dad or mum's funeral (and my son came over from US both times) he can have the  money if he comes and gets it. 

Liz

[AMC25]

Toni, Subaru & Dinie - your comments are interesting to me.

When I was born my mum and dad were married and so obviously I took their married surname. My dad died when I was a baby and my mum remarried a few years later.

When she remarried, I took the surname of my stepdad. However, my passport etc remained in my birth surname as it was never changed by deed poll. My step dad wanted to adopt me but as my mum would have had to adopt me too and give up her rights as a natural parent she refused to do it.

Anyway, as he brought me up since I was a baby, I call him dad and he is for all intents and purposes my dad.

I have since however changed my surname back to my birth name.

[Willow 4873]

I've had a will for about 8 years now - least I know things will go where I want them too and it contains instructions for my funeral

Please also be aware that if you live with your partner you are NOT the next of kin and are entitled to nothing of their estate - there is hope that this will change. If you die without a will and you are living with someone your next of kin if you have no children (and they would have to make a claim on the estate as they do not automatically inherit) will be your parents (if still alive) or siblings

My father died without a will but none of us contested the estate and everything went to my mother. I nagged my mother into making a will and power of attorney before she was due to go in hospital for an operation (and didn't I get some grief off her for it) which was lucky because she suffered a major stroke after the operation and ended up in a wheelchair for the rest of her life. We activiated the power of attourney which enabled us to access her bank accounts and deal with things in her name but we still had one hell of a game at times

When she died we knew what was in the will and carried out her requests. She divided her estate between her 3 children and 3 step children, if I had had my way the step children wouldnt have got anything because they more or less abandond her following their fathers death, but that was what she wanted

Please everyone make a will - it will cost you around £60 but believe me it will cost your descendants a lot more time and money to sort it out if you don't at a time when grief is overwhelming you and you cant think straight no matter deal with legal documents

Willow x

[mshrmh]

For anyone unsure of the rules on intestacy - here's a link to cover England & Wales
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/RightsAndResponsibilities/Death/Preparation/DG_10029802

and a Q & A section on HM Revenue & Customs site that also cover Scotland & Northern Ireland
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cto/customerguide/page14-1.htm

PS I have made a will!

[kooky]

When I made my will, I had gone to my daughter's office about something else[ she is a solicitor]
She asked if I had a will and when I replied in the negative, she said, come in sit down it wont take long! It didn't because it is straightforward.
When I asked how much, she said, nothing now, just leave at least £100 to Cancer Research when you die.
I do not know if this sort of arrangement can still happen. It's worth an ask!
Kooky

[Subaru]

AMC25 

When my husband adopted my daughter, I didn't look at it as though I was giving up my rights as her natural mother, but that I was making the bond stronger by being her adoptive mother AND her natural mother.  It never made me feel any different towards her, or her to me

Rosemary