“Because we do not know what is going to happen in the future we should consider today what our wishes would be in the event of our death.
” circumstances changing The importance of making a Will by ANNE HEMBRY, VOISIN’S PROBATE AND ESTATES MANAGER
The importance of making a Will, as well as keeping it updated to reflect the most significant changes during your life.
homes, and with our health, few of us really want to think about what will happen when we die and what we should do in our Wills – or even whether to make a Will.
W
Life can take unexpected turns in a matter of moments sometimes. Consider the circumstances of Jill Dando, the television presenter, who was killed outside her home in West London in 1999. She had a great job, was engaged, and life seemed settled. Jill had not made a Will and, of course, had not expected to die so young and in such tragic circumstances. As Jill had not made a Will, it seems that her fiancé had no claim over her estate which passed to her father.
So, because we do not know what is going to happen in the future we should consider today what our wishes would be in the event of our death. This is a moving
hen life is going well and we feel secure in our jobs,
target, of course, as our individual circumstances change over time which makes it essential for an individual to review any Will they have made on a regular basis. At this firm we recommend that clients review their Wills every five years or before if there has been a change of circumstances such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren. Heath Ledger, the actor, made a Will in 2003. He died unexpectedly five years later but had not reviewed or updated his Will during that period of time when he had formed a relationship with an actress and had a daughter. The moral is that everyone should consider the implications of their estate whenever their circumstances change.
It is a surprising fact that only one- third of the adult population makes a Will. Maybe the perception is that the cost of doing so is prohibitive or that it is
not a pleasant thing to consider and do. All law firms in Jersey will provide a quote for making a Will and should ensure that the process is dealt with sensitively and efficiently.
The Wills and Successions (Jersey) Law 1993 is the main law that sets out the rules on inheritance in Jersey and how your estate will be dealt with if you have not made a Will. An amendment to this law came into force in 2010 when the States of Jersey brought in a law which granted illegitimate children the same rights as legitimate children. In addition, the Civil Partnership (Jersey) Law 2012 now grants civil partners the same rights as married couples.
Making a Will should not be an arduous task. You should discuss your wishes with your lawyer who should enquire about your family circumstances in order to advise you on the provisions under the
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20/20 Habitat - The Home
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