Where there's a Will there's a way to protect your legacy

Without a valid Will in place, what happens to your assets after you pass away could be very different from what you intended or expected.

The Intestacy Rules – a legal framework that determines who inherits your estate if you die without a Will – will take over.

Here, we explore what that means in practice if you die without having a legal Will in place.

Your previous partner, with whom you are going through a divorce
process, may benefit.

If you pass away without finalising your divorce, your former spouse
may inherit all or a significant portion of your estate.

That makes a Will crucial to ensure your assets go to those who you really wish to benefit.

Your step-children may not inherit anything. Step-children do not automatically receive anything from your estate unless you have legally adopted them.

Having a Will in place that specifically makes provisions for them is essential to ensure the step-children you love and treat as your own benefit from your estate.

If you are not married and only cohabiting, your partner will not automatically receive anything.

This means your partner of many years could be left with nothing.

A Will ensures you can provide for them and protect their future.

If you do not have any family to benefit from your estate under the
Intestacy Rules, your estate could ultimately go to the Crown.

Putting in place a Will ensures your assets go to your chosen beneficiaries such as family members, close friends, or a chosen charity.