Comments for How to write a Will Blog

Comment on Are online Wills legally binding? by Mark

Mark — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:33:15 +0000

Hi Irene,

You can indeed make a Will for assets that are based in the UK when in fact you reside outside of the UK. However the Will, will not cover assets that reside outside of England and Wales. For example if you lived in Spain and owned a property there an English Will would not cover that property.

Comment on Are step children included when leaving the residue of my estate to ‘my children’? by Bill Ryan

Bill Ryan — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:36:48 +0000

This is important and actually happens a lot in second marriages where jointly owned property passes to the surviving spouse and to their children leaving nothing for the children of the first deceased parent.

Comment on Are online Wills legally binding? by irene douganson

irene douganson — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 06:40:10 +0000

can you make a will for property and money you have in the UK when you are outside the country?

Can you have it signed by people who do not reside in the UK ?

Comment on Who can be an Executor? by John

John — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:39:35 +0000

Good advice but in my opinion don’t have too many executors – keep it as simple as possible. too many cooks etc…

Comment on Question of the Week by TSP

TSP — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:46:17 +0000

Agree with Penelope – even if you are family if there is money involved its amazing how quickly family previously uninterested suddenly want to know where all the money is going!

Comment on Question of the Week by Mark

Mark — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:23:32 +0000

Great advice Penelope, thanks.

Comment on Question of the Week by penelope foster

penelope foster — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:57:45 +0000

Yes, I have been an executor for my mother’s will. I found it vitally important to itemise every item of expenditure i.e. Death Certificates, Probate costs, Funeral expenses – although as Executor you can approach the Funeral Directors and ask them to send their invoice directly to the deceased’s bank, provided you had already spoken to the Bank in question. My mother’s Bank was very supportive as I requested an account being opened so monies in and monies out were all statemented in case of a dispute. Be accurate and keep all receipts, they may be needed!

Comment on Do married couples require two Wills? by Nicholas Button

Nicholas Button — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:03:03 +0000

That is correct. It is necessary to name the children of both spouses to avoid a “lottery” situation. Step children, unless specifically named, do not automatically count as issue.

Comment on What is an Executor? by Nicholas Button

Nicholas Button — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:57 +0000

If an executor dies before the testator (and no second or replacement executor is named in the will) then an application for a Grant of Probate “with will annexed” has to be applied for. The person entitled to apply for the grant is the next of kin as defined by the rules of intestacy.

Comment on Do married couples require two Wills? by Jane

Jane — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:41:23 +0000

If I get remarried and my husband has children and I have children but we want to make a mirror will do I have to name his children as beneficiaries in my will and he to do the same with my children as I read somewhere that step children do not count as natural heirs and must be named ?