Re-Marriage Wills
Do you need to protect assets for children from previous relationships, while still providing for a current spouse?
Are you concerned that your beneficiaries may be written out of a Will when you’ve gone?
Then consider a Remarriage Will.
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Re-Marriage Wills
Sanjiv Sachdeva joins us to explain how a remarriage Will works.
What is the difference between a remarriage Will and a standard Will?
A remarriage Will, sometimes called a blended family Will, contains specific provisions designed to protect assets for children from previous relationships, while still providing for a current spouse.
The key difference is that a standard Will typically leaves everything to a surviving spouse, with the assumption they’ll provide for mutual children. A remarriage Will incorporates Trust structures to ensure that specific assets reach the intended beneficiaries.
The key driver is usually whether you have children from a previous relationship, for whom you wish to make provisions.
How does a remarriage Will work?
A remarriage Will works by establishing a life interest Trust. Firstly, upon your death, your share of your property is placed into a Trust.
Your surviving spouse can benefit from these assets during their lifetime, by living in the property or receiving income from investments. However, they don’t own these assets outright.
After your spouse’s death (the second death in the relationship) the assets pass to your chosen beneficiaries, typically children from previous relationships.
This arrangement prevents your assets from being absorbed into your spouse’s estate and then potentially redirected to others. It’s relevant if you want reassurance that your share of the property should pass to your chosen beneficiaries, whether they are your own children or other family members.
Why is a remarriage Will important? What are the benefits of remarriage Will?
A remarriage Will can be crucial, because it prevents your assets from unintentionally passing to your stepchildren or your spouse’s new partner if they remarry. It ensures that your biological children aren’t inadvertently disinherited. It provides security for your current spouse while protecting inheritances for your children.
A remarriage Will also prevents your spouse from changing arrangements after your death. Remember, your partner could change their Will and your own children or other chosen beneficiaries could lose out.
You gain peace of mind that your wishes will be followed regardless of future circumstances.
Speak To an Expert
We talk to you about who you would like to benefit and in what amounts, including specific gifts and any charitable legacies, and then help you create the will itself.
How much does it cost to write a remarriage Will?
Remarriage Wills typically cost more than standard Wills due to their complexity. Standard Wills for a couple often range from £180 to £300 plus VAT.
For remarriage Wills with Trust provisions, we charge £595 plus VAT for two Wills. Solicitors, however, may charge more than this for Trust Wills.
More complex arrangements may cost more to set up, particularly if you have a large estate. We’re always happy to offer a free initial consultation to understand your situation and discuss options.
It’s worth saying that the investment is generally considered worthwhile, given the significant financial protection it provides.
What else do we need to know about remarriage Wills?
As specialist Will writers, we can review your specific family circumstances and asset structure, and explain all the available options that protect both your spouse and children.
We draft legally sound Trust provisions tailored to your needs, and ensure your Will addresses common concerns. That includes protection for children from previous relationships and safeguarding your property share for chosen beneficiaries,
It also prevents future Will changes putting your children at a disadvantage, and also addresses joint property ownership issues.
As you may be aware, if your property is jointly owned it will automatically pass to the surviving joint owner. If this happens, you will not be able to control what happens to that property after your partner passes away – or even should he or she remarry.
We can look at creating appropriate life interest arrangements, without compromising the position of the survivor. For example, you may give your partner the right to remain in the property for life after you pass away, or until they remarry or cohabit with another partner – or any other conditions you may wish.
As you can see, a well-crafted remarriage Will addresses these concerns through appropriate Trust structures that protect your legacy while providing for your current spouse.
As always, if you’d like more specific information about any aspects of remarriage Wills, I’d be happy to discuss your particular circumstances in more detail.
Will Storage Services
Why Store Your Will?
Can you keep your Will safe from being accidentally damaged, destroyed, altered or lost?
Your new Will is very important and any of the above would invalidate it and leave your estate vulnerable. It is a valuable document which needs looking after.
If your Executors cannot find your Will when you pass away then you will deemed to have died intestate and your beneficiaries may lose out.
Storing Your Will & Lasting Powers Of Attorney With Will Power
Will Power will take legal responsibility for your Will (covered by our £2 million Professional Indemnity Insurance).
You will be issued with a copy Will for you to keep at home. You and your Executors will receive a document explaining where your original Will is stored and the procedure for releasing it.
Lasting Powers of Attorney can be registered, ready for use by your attorneys without delay and kept safely so that there is no fear of them being used without your permission while you have capacity.
Your Will and any other documents such as Lasting Powers of Attorney, deeds, list of assets, policy documents etc., can be stored in our secure storage vault which offers:
Will Protection
Each climate-controlled vault is regulated for temperature, airflow, moisture and dust to preserve your documents for many years to come.
Will Security
State of the art fire and intruder alarm protection, CCTV camera cover and electronic access controls ensure the safety and security of your documents.
Will Tracking
Computer-controlled file movement history and tracking ensures your documents can be quickly and efficiently retrieved, whenever you need them.
There is no charge to add or remove your documents from storage in the future, and these will always be delivered to you by Special Delivery for security.
Speak To an Expert
Will Storage Service Hints & Tips
- Keep it somewhere safe and secure where it won’t be damaged, destroyed, altered or lost.
- Ensure your Executors know where to find your Will and how to access it.
- Confirm that it will be available prior to Probate being granted.
- Let your Executors and family know in writing where it is stored as it’s easy to forget verbal instructions.
- Do not keep your will in a bank safety deposit box. When you die, the bank will be unable to open your box until your Executor receives probate and probate cannot be approved without the will.
- Do not attach other documents to the will. Even staples, paperclips or other marks on your will could be taken to indicate some part of the will is missing a section or an amendment. This may cause difficulties for your Executors in the future.
How Much Does Will Storage Cost?
Storage Service Only
£250+vat (Single) or £400+vat (Couple)
Standard Wills & Storage
£300+vat (Single) or £500+vat (Couple)
See also our full Will Aftercare Service which includes Will Storage. Without our Aftercare service you would need to pay for any amendments you wish to make to your Will.
You can also take advantage of a 20% discount on any additional services, for example completing Lasting Powers of Attorney or Grant Of Probate.