Making a Will is one of the most important things you can do for the people you care about.
A professionally prepared Will gives you control over what happens to your property, money, possessions and other assets after your death. Just as importantly, it gives the people closest to you clarity at what can already be a difficult and emotional time.
Our Will-writing lawyers and legal advisers make the process straightforward and personal. We take time to understand your circumstances, explain your options clearly and prepare a Will that reflects the people and things that matter to you.
Whether you need a straightforward Single Will, Mirror Wills with your partner, want to include a gift to charity or need advice about more complex family or financial arrangements, our lifetime planning service can help you cover all your bases.
Your life. Your wishes. Your Will.
Why Is Making a Will So Important?
It is easy to put off making a Will, particularly when life is busy. But without a valid Will, you cannot assume that everything you leave behind will automatically pass to the people you would have chosen.
If you die without a valid Will, known as dying intestate, your estate is distributed according to the statutory rules of intestacy rather than according to undocumented personal wishes.
Making a Will allows you to:
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Choose who should inherit your estate
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Appoint people you trust as your executor
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make provision for children and other loved ones
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leave particular belongings or sums of money to individuals
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include gifts to charities or causes important to you
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set out clearly what you want to happen to your estate
A Will isn't just about money. It is about making your decisions now, so the people you leave behind don't have to make them for you later.
Who Should Make a Will?
A Will is important at almost every stage of adult life, but there are particular times when putting one in place, or reviewing an existing Will, should become a priority.
For example, you may want to make or review your Will if you:
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own a home or other property
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are buying your first home or moving house
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are getting married
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are living with a partner
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have children or grandchildren
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have separated or divorced
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have a blended family
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have received an inheritance
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own a business or other significant assets
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want to provide for particular family members or friends
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want to leave money to charity
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already have a Will that no longer reflects your circumstances.
Even if your wishes seem simple, putting them into a properly prepared Will can provide valuable certainty for the future.
What You Can Include in Your Will
Your Will should reflect your life, your family and your priorities, rather than simply follow a standard template.
You can use your Will to set out who you want to benefit from your estate and how you would like your assets distributed.
That could include your home, savings, investments, personal belongings or particular gifts. You may also want to leave a fixed sum to somebody special or a gift to a charity that has played an important part in your life.
Your Will also enables you to choose your executors, the people responsible for dealing with your estate and carrying out the instructions contained in your Will.
Where your circumstances are more complex, our team can discuss the appropriate options with you and explain them in plain English before your Will is prepared.
Choosing the Right Will for You
No two families are the same, so we don't believe a Will should be approached as a one-size-fits-all exercise.
Single Will
A Will prepared for one person.
Mirror Wills
Often chosen by married couples and partners who want broadly corresponding wishes.
Charity Wills
If there is a charity close to your heart, you can include a charitable gift within your Will.
Codicils Where an appropriate minor change is required to an existing Will, a Codicil may be an option rather than preparing an entirely new Will. Wills incorporating trusts For some family and financial circumstances, a Will incorporating a trust may be appropriate. We can help you understand the options and choose an approach appropriate to your circumstances.
Protecting the People Who Matter to You
For many clients, this is the real reason for making a Will.
You might want everything to pass to your spouse or partner. You may want to make provision for children or grandchildren, remember a friend, leave particular belongings to certain people or provide for several different branches of your family.
Whatever your circumstances, clearly recording your wishes can make life considerably easier for those you leave behind.
It can be particularly important if your family circumstances are not straightforward. Rather than relying on assumptions about what will happen, having a professionally prepared Will gives you an opportunity to put clear arrangements in place.
Our role is to understand what you want to achieve and help you put those wishes into a properly prepared Will.
Leaving a Gift to Charity in Your Will
Your Will can look after the people closest to you while also supporting causes that matter to you.
You can choose to leave a charity a particular sum of money, a specific asset or a share of your estate. RG Law's existing Will service includes Charity Wills, with current internal service information referencing arrangements involving Cancer Research UK and the National Free Wills Network.
For many people, charitable giving through their Will is an opportunity to create a lasting legacy and support work they have valued during their lifetime.
If charitable giving forms part of your plans, our team can discuss how you would like your gift recorded within your Will.
Already Have a Will? Don't Forget to Review It
Making your Will isn't necessarily something you do once and never think about again.
Your life can change significantly, while your old Will stays exactly the same.
It is sensible to review your Will when significant circumstances change, for example following:
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marriage or divorce
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the birth of children or grandchildren
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buying or selling property
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changes within your family
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significant changes to your financial circumstances
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the death of somebody named in your Will
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a change in the people you want to benefit.
If your existing Will no longer reflects your wishes, we can advise whether it would be more appropriate to prepare a new Will or, where suitable, make a more limited amendment. The important question is simple: If your Will were needed tomorrow, would it still say exactly what you want it to say?
Why Choose RG Law to Write Your Will
Making a Will involves important decisions, but getting the right legal support shouldn't feel complicated.
At RG Law, we take the time to understand what you want to achieve before advising you on the appropriate options.
You'll receive straightforward explanations without unnecessary legal jargon, together with a Will prepared around your individual circumstances and wishes.
And if your needs extend beyond Will writing, our team can also assist with services including Probate, Inheritance Tax matters, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Trusts and Court of Protection work.
For clients who already know RG Law through their property journey, having your Will and related private client advice within the same firm can also provide welcome continuity. Planning today can make things considerably easier for the people you love tomorrow.
Will Writing FAQs
Do I really need a Will?
A Will allows you to specify how you would like your estate dealt with following your death and who you want to benefit. If you die without a valid Will, your estate is instead distributed according to the rules of intestacy.
What happens if I die without a Will?
This is known as dying intestate. Your estate will be distributed according to the statutory intestacy rules. This may produce a very different result from the one you would personally have chosen.
Can my unmarried partner inherit if I don't have a Will?
You should not assume that simply living together gives an unmarried partner the same inheritance position as a spouse or civil partner under the intestacy rules. If you want to provide for your partner, obtaining advice and putting an appropriate Will in place can therefore be particularly important.
Will Writing FAQs continued
What is the difference between a Single Will and Mirror Wills?
A Single Will records one person's wishes. Mirror Wills are normally two broadly corresponding Wills, often prepared for spouses or partners who want similar arrangements.
How much does it cost to make a Will with RG Law?
RG Law's current website advertises Single Wills from £350 and Mirror Wills from £600. Your quotation should confirm the charges applicable to your particular circumstances.
Can I leave money to a charity in my Will?
Yes. Your Will can include gifts to charities as well as provision for family, friends and other beneficiaries. RG Law also offers Charity Will services.
Can I change my Will after I have made it?
Yes. Circumstances and wishes change. Depending upon the nature of the changes required, it may be appropriate to prepare a new Will or consider a Codicil.
What is a Codicil?
A Codicil is a legal document used to make certain amendments or additions to an existing Will without replacing the entire Will.
Whom should I choose as my executor?
Your executor is responsible for dealing with your estate and carrying out the instructions within your Will. You should therefore think carefully about appointing somebody you trust and who is willing and able to take on the responsibility.
Can I make provision for my children in my Will?
Yes. Making provision for children is one of the important reasons many people make a Will. Your legal adviser can discuss your family circumstances and what you want your Will to achieve.
Should I review my Will if I get married or divorced?
Yes. Marriage and divorce can have important consequences for an existing Will, so you should obtain advice and review your Will when your circumstances change.
When should I update my Will?
Review it after significant life or financial changes, including marriage, divorce, children or grandchildren, property changes, a death within the family or material changes to your assets or wishes.
If you're unsure whether your existing Will still works for you, speak to us. Sometimes a review is all that's needed to establish whether any changes should be made.
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