Why don't you..?

Why don't you…make a will?

Surveys show that many people who don't have a will have thought about writing one. Unfortunately, most of us then decide to put the task off, because it seems like a complicated process and something that requires a considerable amount of time. But making a will is surprisingly easy, and a lot less time consuming than you might think. It provides a concrete arrangement for your estate in the event of your demise and gives you control over who will inherit what when you die.

Why make a will?

If you die without making a will, there are certain rules which will affect how your belongings are allocated. This may be a complete contrast to what you intended to happen after you died, and it could mean that family and friends miss out on what you had meant to leave them.

Unmarried couples and couples who have not registered a civil partnership cannot inherit from each other without a will. This means that the death of one partner may create serious financial and legal problems for the other.

Making a will gives you the right to decide who would look after your children in the event of your death. If you die without making a will, the choice of guardian will be determined by your surviving relatives, and your children may end up being looked after by someone who might not have been your first choice.

You can ensure that your will is tax efficient, maximising the amount that you leave to the people you wish to inherit from your estate.

Can I get free advice before going to a solicitor?

If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you should make a will, you should contact Woking CAB, who will be able to guide you further.

Woking CAB is located at 26 Commercial Way in Woking. The office is open 9am-4pm Monday to Friday, with late opening on a Wednesday until 7pm. It is also open on Saturdays from 9.30am to 12 noon. There are also regular outreach sessions held at the Maybury Centre in Woking and at Sheerwater and Byfleet.

For further information, contact the Woking branch of the Citizens' Advice Bureau on 0845 1202919 or visit www.windowonwoking.org.uk/cab

Woking CAB celebrates 70 years!

Join Woking CAB in Woking's Town Square from 10am on Wednesday 23 September for its 70th Anniversary Celebrations!

To celebrate this occasion there will be an exhibition of current services, a display showing its history and a free prize draw.

Make a difference this November - make a will with Will Aid

Solicitors across the UK are offering to draw up basic wills free of charge this November to raise money for charities such as ActionAid, British Red Cross, NSPCC and Help the Aged. The scheme, set up by Will Aid, is urging people to visit their nearest participating solicitor to have their wills drawn up. Rather than having to pay a fee for your will, Will Aid is asking you to donate money instead.

The charity is recommending donations of £75 for a single will, £110 for a pair of matching or mirror wills or £40 for a codicil. Donations will go to the Will Aid charities to help people in the UK and around the world - just £40 can provide water purification tablets for 26 families. Last year, solicitors across the UK raised almost £1 million for charities.