The number of people making Wills across the country saw a significant increase in 2020 with the greatest rise being in those under 35 planning ahead and making sure that their loved ones will be looked after.

Sadly, however, many families are also facing costly legal battles over disputed inheritances with local authorities reporting a surge in the number of people dying without a Will.

There can be no doubt that the pandemic has underlined the importance of making and keeping a Will. Here we explain our advice on what you should do if you already have a Will.

“Having made a Will, a sensible thing to do is tell a family member or a close friend about where it can be found,” says Wendy Macarthur, a Chartered Legal Executive Wills and probate specialist at Boys & Maughan’s Ramsgate office.

“We store all our clients Wills free of charge and many of them are now additionally being registered with Certainty,” adds Wendy. “In 2019 we partnered with Certainty, the National Wills Register, to provide clients with a Will registration on their database. This helps in circumstances where heirs might not know that we hold a Will and can clarify which Will was made last if more than one has been written over time.”

Wendy adds, “We also recommend to our clients that they make a note, perhaps on their phone, to ask themselves in two or three years’ time whether their Will is still up-to-date.

“With the passing of time there are many circumstances and events that can give rise to the need to make a new or revised Will. Our lawyers offer free initial appointments to discuss how things have altered because, for example, a client’s financial position has changed or new family or friends have entered their lives. These meetings are currently conducted over the phone or via zoom.”

You should consider amending your Will if:

• A child, children or grandchildren are born
• Any of your executors and/or beneficiaries die
• An executor of your Will becomes incapable of acting as your executor through illness (mental or physical)
• You sell a property which you have specifically bequeathed in your Will
• Your estate significantly increases or decreases in value
• You divorce or dissolve your civil partnership
• You marry or re-marry because marriage revokes an existing Will, or
• You enter into a civil partnership.

Wendy Macarthur’s direct dial number is 01843 269363 or click on this link to send her an email.