The Perception of Will Writing & Estate Planning

The estate planning sector has seen significant growth in the last decade, with more people than ever before taking up Will writing services. With more people needing to make plans for their future, understanding the history of Wills and estate planning is essential.

Wills have been around since ancient times, but it wasn’t until the 19th century that the Wills Act (the legislation that we still work in accordance with) was introduced in England and Wales. From then on, the format and way that Wills were attested were defined to ensure the transfer of possessions from one generation to the next, or to those that we love. Over the years, there have been changes to the law, but the profession changed in the 90's with the introduction of two self-regulatory bodies called the Institute of Will Writers as well as The Society of Will Writers and Estate Planning Practitioners which is the body that we are a member of. These bodies provide a framework of voluntary self-regulation that we adhere to in the interests of consumer protection.

It is of course possible for someone to write their own Will using a DIY kit but naturally, as you would expect, we don't agree with this principle and have seen some terrible examples. These documents are often outdated, not future proofed and can create many problems for the family members left behind.

At S Bish Estate Planning we offer a complete estate planning service tailored to the individual’s needs and wants.

Estate planning is more than just writing a Will, it's understanding what happens if you die without one in place and creating a plan that takes into consideration your assets, any liabilities and the potential tax implications. A good estate plan will also cover Living Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Trusts and Inheritance Tax advice.

As far as public perception goes when it comes to estate planning, there is little doubt that some still view it as being something for the elderly. This couldn't be further from the truth and in fact, estate planning should be thought of as a life-long journey that those over the age of 18 should consider.

Nor are Wills just for those with assets, material possessions and money. Those with little in the way of material possessions should consider writing a Will to ensure that any of the following are taken care of:

• Guardianship for minor children

• Appointment of executors

• Charitable donations (again, not strictly financial, but can relate to funeral wishes)

• Wishes for your funeral

• Exclusions etc.

S Bish Estate Planning understands that writing a Will is an important step in life and we take the time to understand our clients’ needs and wants so that we can create the best estate plan for them. We go beyond just writing a Will, making sure that our clients are aware of all available options and helping them to make an informed decision.

We believe that estate planning is something that everyone should think about, regardless of their age or financial circumstances.

At S Bish Estate Planning we have been supporting people with their estate planning needs for many years now, helping them to understand what will happen to their assets after they pass away and ensuring that the right plans are in place. We pride ourselves on providing a secure, professional and affordable service so that our clients can rest assured that their family and assets are taken care of in the best possible way.

If you would like to find out more about our estate planning services please do get in touch. We would be delighted to answer any queries you might have. If you have any doubts, check out our Google Reviews from happy clients.