If you don't have a Will, there are rules for deciding who inherits your assets, depending on your personal circumstances. The following provisions apply only in England and Wales, the law differs if you die intestate (without a Will) in other jurisdictions.
If you are married or in a registered civil partnership and your estate is worth £125,000 or less: Everything goes to your husband, wife or civil partner. If you are married or in a civil partnership and your estate is worth over £125,000: your husband, wife or civil partner won't automatically get everything, although they will receive:

• personal items, such as household articles and cars, but nothing used for business purposes

• £125,000 free of tax or £200,000 if there are no children;

• A life interest in half of the rest of the estate (on his or her death this will pass to the children or as detailed below) The rest of the estate might be shared by children (or if any have died by grandchildren) or parents, brothers or sisters.

Not everyone is aware that, if you are in a long term partnership but it is not a marriage or registered civil partnership, you won't automatically get any share of your partner's estate, if they die without making a Will.
If they haven't provided for you in some other way, your only option is to make a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 which can be a complex and costly process.

If you would like to make a straightforward Will (no tax planning advice or trusts) please call Miss Hooper on 0845 270 4999 or email bethhooper
@barnesmarsland.co.uk. Our current charges are £95 + VAT for a single Will and £150 + VAT for a pair of Wills.

If you would like more information abut making a Will or more specialist Will making or tax planning advice, please call Jacqui Miles on 0845 270 4999 or email jacquimiles@barnesmarsland.co.uk