Single & Mirror Wills Logo
  • Single & Mirror Wills.

    England and Wales only.
  • Please contact us to discuss your requirements

  • Mirror Wills are a pair of identical Wills with only the names transposed


  • No children under 18

    Executor: = Person who deals with your affairs after death and Carries out the instructions in your Will.  They can be a relative and a beneficiary.

    Beneficiary: = Anyone benefiting from your Will.
     

    Expression of Wishes: This is a letter that accompanies your Will. It contains instructions for the executors it is not as legally binding as statements in the Will. And can be changed at any time by you.

    High value bequest = Will.

    Low value bequest = Expression of Wishes.

    Funeral arrangements = Expression of Wishes

    We can supply a draft letter that you can complete and change, without rewriting your Will.
     

    Before you start your Will:

    Have to hand All the Names and address of people to be included.

    Your Names, Address,

    Executors. Names, Address,

    Trustees Name, Address if you are having a children’s trust included

    Beneficiaries Names, Address if possible.

     

           Full Name; This needs to be your full name as it appears on your Passport and Inland Revenue documents. Irrespective of whether you use the name.

      Full address with post code. This does not need to be changed if you move it’s just a point of identification at a date in time.

       Full name of All beneficiaries. Endeavour to supply their full name.

    At probate they would have to prove their identity with their passport and Inland Revenue documents. If these documents do not correspond with the instructions in your Will they would then have to prove that they where the person you intended to be a beneficiary which could cause delays and expense.

    Eg. Someone you have always known as Will you assume is William when in fact it is Wilfred or they have a first name that they never use but it is on their passport.

        Names do not need to be changed in the future. E.g. if your daughter married, as she would still have documentation i.e. birth certificate to identify her as the person in your Will. Their relationship to you, bear in mind that for example you could have a cousin and uncle both with the same or similar name. Possible only an infrequently used middle name as a difference.

       Address of the beneficiaries while this is not essential, it helps the executors plus also identifies the correct beneficiary should there be any confusion.

    Items to be included in the Will.

    Any property full address.
    Any gifts Full description so that it can be identified by an independent person.

    My “gold watch” may lead to confusion whereas my “gold Rolex Submariner  serial number ?????” leaves no room for doubt. 

    My engagement ring to “A” and my eternity ring to “B” this is open to dispute as to which ring is which. Whereas my 5 cluster diamond ring to “A” and my diamond and emerald ring to “B” is clear. Could a independent person identify which item you are referring to without knowing any family history.

    If you are leaving a car it is better to list as any car owned by me. If you identify the car as a Aston Martin but at the time of death you own a Ferrari the beneficiary will not receive ANY car and the Ferrari would be included residue and distributed accordingly. This applies to any property. If you want to leave a specific car then list exact details, registration and serial numbers.

      If you are leaving a cash bequest we suggest you leave a percentage rather than a fixed amount. You may want to leave £5,000 to a grandchild that could buy their first car which today is a sensible amount but in 20 years would be unrealistic.
    Stepchildren do not automatically inherit they have to be specifically named.

     

    Think through your distribution; usually gifts and bequest then 3 level of distribution. Bare in mine that it is not always the case that the oldest die first.

    Level 1. Is usually to your spouse / partner.

    Level 2. Children.

    Level 3. Grandchildren

       If a charity their charity commission ref number. (Many charities and churches have very similar names; the executors cannot distribute the bequest if there is any doubt or ambiguity).

        If you are giving a bequest to a group i.e. grandchildren it is better to use the wording of ALL my grandchildren. Therefore if there are any additions they are automatically included, where as if they were not included because they were not born at the time of writing the Will they would have to apply to have the Will changed based on the assumption that if you had known that they were to be born you would have included them, just putting all my grandchildren is legally stronger and simpler, if needed you could make a specific exclusion.

    Please note that step-children / step-grandchildren need to be individually identified if you what them to inherit.

    A Will cannot be used to avoid responsibilities imposed by the Provision of Families Act 1975.

       

     There is further information and videos on our website www.saxonwills.co.uk

     

  • With children under 18

    Executor: = Person who deals with your affairs after death and Carries out the instructions in your Will.  They can be a relative and a beneficiary.

    Beneficiary: = Anyone benefiting from your Will.
     

    Expression of Wishes: This is a letter that accompanies your Will. It contains instructions for the executors it is not as legally binding as statements in the Will. And can be changed at any time by you.

    High value bequest = Will.

    Low value bequest = Expression of Wishes.

    Funeral arrangements = Expression of Wishes

    We can supply a draft letter that you can complete and change, without rewriting your Will.
     

    Before you start your Will:

    Have to hand All the Names and address of people to be included.

    Your Names, Address,

    Executors. Names, Address,

    Trustees Name, Address if you are having a children’s trust included

    Beneficiaries Names, Address if possible.

     

           Full Name; This needs to be your full name as it appears on your Passport and Inland Revenue documents. Irrespective of whether you use the name.

      Full address with post code. This does not need to be changed if you move it’s just a point of identification at a date in time.

       Full name of All beneficiaries. Endeavour to supply their full name.

    At probate they would have to prove their identity with their passport and Inland Revenue documents. If these documents do not correspond with the instructions in your Will they would then have to prove that they where the person you intended to be a beneficiary which could cause delays and expense.

    Eg. Someone you have always known as Will you assume is William when in fact it is Wilfred or they have a first name that they never use but it is on their passport.

        Names do not need to be changed in the future. E.g. if your daughter married, as she would still have documentation i.e. birth certificate to identify her as the person in your Will. Their relationship to you, bear in mind that for example you could have a cousin and uncle both with the same or similar name. Possible only an infrequently used middle name as a difference.

       Address of the beneficiaries while this is not essential, it helps the executors plus also identifies the correct beneficiary should there be any confusion.

    Items to be included in the Will.

    Any property full address.
    Any gifts Full description so that it can be identified by an independent person.

    My “gold watch” may lead to confusion whereas my “gold Rolex Submariner  serial number ?????” leaves no room for doubt. 

    My engagement ring to “A” and my eternity ring to “B” this is open to dispute as to which ring is which. Whereas my 5 cluster diamond ring to “A” and my diamond and emerald ring to “B” is clear. Could a independent person identify which item you are referring to without knowing any family history.

    If you are leaving a car it is better to list as any car owned by me. If you identify the car as a Aston Martin but at the time of death you own a Ferrari the beneficiary will not receive ANY car and the Ferrari would be included residue and distributed accordingly. This applies to any property. If you want to leave a specific car then list exact details, registration and serial numbers.

      If you are leaving a cash bequest we suggest you leave a percentage rather than a fixed amount. You may want to leave £5,000 to a grandchild that could buy their first car which today is a sensible amount but in 20 years would be unrealistic.
    Stepchildren do not automatically inherit they have to be specifically named.

     

    Think through your distribution; usually gifts and bequest then 3 level of distribution. Bare in mine that it is not always the case that the oldest die first.

    Level 1. Is usually to your spouse / partner.

    Level 2. Children.

    Level 3. Grandchildren

       If a charity their charity commission ref number. (Many charities and churches have very similar names; the executors cannot distribute the bequest if there is any doubt or ambiguity).

        If you are giving a bequest to a group i.e. grandchildren it is better to use the wording of ALL my grandchildren. Therefore if there are any additions they are automatically included, where as if they were not included because they were not born at the time of writing the Will they would have to apply to have the Will changed based on the assumption that if you had known that they were to be born you would have included them, just putting all my grandchildren is legally stronger and simpler, if needed you could make a specific exclusion.

    Please note that step-children / step-grandchildren need to be individually identified if you what them to inherit.

    A Will cannot be used to avoid responsibilities imposed by the Provision of Families Act 1975.

         Guardians this is an extremely important role they are “replacement parents” it is not some special kind of godparent.

        We advise only having ONE guardian and nominating one reserve. The only time TWO is practical is if they are grandparents.

        Example 1). You nominate your brother and sister in law as guardians. They then have matrimonial difficulties and divorce (possibly caused by the strain of looking after your children). You now have two people who are not talking and in conflict jointly having responsibility for your children.

        Example 2). You nominate your brother and your partner’s sister as guardians they are now jointly responsible. From a trivial matter of going on a school trip BOTH may have to give signed consent. A simple sleep over at a friend’s house requires a committee meeting. 

        Example 3) Your child has to go to the doctor or hospital before any treatment you have to have a committee meeting. Possibly ALL parties having to attend.

        Many times people propose multiple guardians because of the fear of upsetting a relative this is not a invitation to a wedding or party this is your child’s up bring at stake the decision should be made on who is BEST SUITED to the task.

        Solution: nominate ONE guardian and ONE reserve. Then appoint others as TRUSTEES this means that the guardian does not have sole access to the finances. Other members of your family are still involved with your child’s up bringing as trustees.

        Trustees have control of finances until a child is 18. Or 25 if a CHILDREN’S TRUST is established.
     

     There is further information and videos on our website www.saxonwills.co.uk

     

  •  -
  • Discretionary Trust for Children’s Inheritance.

        A trust allowing you to choose when your children can inherit (18, 21,25 we suggest 25 as that gives the maximum protection because it is discretionary the trustee could hand over the funds at any time from the age of 18) You leave instructions for your trustees on when the children are allowed to receive some of their trust fund before this age. Usually this is for education, and health.

         Do you really want your child inheriting everything at 18.

     An additional advantage is that as the assets are held in Trust, should your child need to claim a means tested state benefit they would still qualify. Because as you organised their affairs to have less than £10,000 in their own name they would still be eligible, whereas if their inheritance had been paid directly to them they would then be put over this limit and would not qualify!

         While you may think that you have never needed benefits, just consider if your child cannot find employment at 18 or wants to go on to further education, many benefits would not be available to them. There is also the issue that they could have health issues preventing them from working, again their inheritance will preclude them from these benefits. A solution to prevent this is to include a “Children’s Trust” in your Will this will protect their assets until the age of 25, they can still have access to their inheritance but via a Trustee i.e. someone you trust. Should your child be disabled there is also available a “Disabled Children’s Trust” which protects the assets for the life of the child not just to the age of 25.

     

    The Five main means-tested benefits are:

    •          Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance: paid to people who are unemployed and are on a low income.

    •          Income-related Employment and Support Allowance: paid to people whose ability to work is limited by illness or disability and are on a low income.

    •          Income Support: paid to people who are on a low income and under state pension age.

    You may also be able to claim these means-tested benefits:

    •          Housing Benefit: this can help you to pay your rent if you’re on a low income.

    •          Council Tax Benefit: this can help you to pay your Council Tax if you’re on a low income.

    If you get a means-tested benefit, you can often get other help such as free school meals, health benefits and social fund payments.

    You may also be eligible for tax credits.

     

    We can add a Children Trust to your Will for £15.00

     

    If you want a Trust that continues beyond the age of 25 years old then a Discretionary Trust can be supplied for £150.00.

      

    Non Means tested benefits in 2015

    These are benefits you may be entitled to regardless of your income and savings.  These include:

    ·        Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance

    ·        Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, War Disablement Pension

    ·        Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Reduced Earnings Allowance
    The main means tested benefits in 2015

    ·       Income Support

     age 16-24 £57.35 per week. age  25 & over £72.35per week

    ·       Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

    18-24 £57.35 per week. over 25 £72.40

    ·       Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

    up to 25 £57.35 per week. Over 25 £72.40 first 13 weeks, this increases to £101.15 plus from week 14.

    ·       Pension Credit Guarantee . Tops up your weekly income if it’s below £148.35 (for single people) or £226.50 (for couples).

    ·       Working tax credit is up to £1,940 a year

    ·       Universal Credit claimant under 25 £249.28 pm. Over 25 £314.67pm

    ·       Housing Benefit

    1 bedroom.    (or shared accommodation)

    Up to £250

    2 bedrooms
    Up to £290
    3 bedrooms
    Up to £340
    4 bedrooms
    Up to £400

    This is a general overview; particular circumstances may vary, however even the minimum means tested allowance makes putting assets in to a Trust beneficial for most people.

  •   You can add a Childrens Trust to this Will, You can choose any age up to 25, We usualy suggest having the 25 year option, as this gives the maximum control,the trustee could grand full access before 25 if that was appropriate.

    There is a single payment which covers ALL the applicable children.

    This trust can also be used for  Grand Children. (any beneficary under 25).

  • Executors

    These are the people who carry out your instructions. Must Have at least one They can also be beneficiaries
  • Guardians

    (Replacement Parents) It is preferable to only have one Guardian. If there are more than One they ALL have to agree!
  • Distribution

    First Level
  • If you require non standard distribution an additional charge of £20.00 is payable.

    standard distribution is 

    First level to spouce / partner

    second level to children.

    Where a Mirror Will has been chosen then both Wills have to have the same distribution. If this is not the case then two single wills are required.

  • If you require additional features, we advise that you complete this form.

    then one of our qualified advisers will call you and explain the options for you.

    you may want to see our website www.saxonwills.co.uk where you will find videos and further information. 

  • Before completing /printing your Will, it is checked to make sure it is valid.

    If you would like to complete the form below, we can have a better understanding of your requirments and can advise you if we believe that your Will does not reflect your views expressed in the form below.

  •  
  • Will Commentary Package. Most legal documents are extremely complex and can be really confusing given all the “legalese” they contain Our Will Commentary can provide you with all that you need to know. • Your questions are answered simply but fully • Written in plain English • Unique, personalised and “specific to you” • Detailed definitions which provides precise clarification on certain terms within the Will such as the various roles appointed and clauses used

  • prevnext( X )












                    Total £0.00
                  • Saxon Wills & Estate Planning.

                    www.saxonwills.co.uk  enquiry@saxonwills.co.uk

                  • Should be Empty: