Need a will?

[ludwigvan]

My wife and I have no children. When I die will my estate automatically go to my wife as I wish or do I need to make a will to that effect?

[brenda]

Best to have a will made to that effect. not v. expensive, ring around for prices.
Could prevent distant relatives from appearing out of the woodwork and future disharmony.

[Rev Sermon]

If there's no will it goes to probate. Your wife should still inherit but it will take longer and probably add to the solicitor's fees.

WH Smith used to do a DIY will kit (as far as I know still do). Very simple just write I leave everything to my wife and sign it in front of suitable witnesses.

[bednobs]

Plus what about the unfortunate scenario you die together?
do you want your estate going to distant relatives or do you want to nominate charities etc?

[bednobs]

or the even more unfortunate scenario that you die together, and have no relatives and the government get it all?

[marval]

This might help, but I would write a will.

http://www.thetaxguid...ithoutMakingWill.html

[LoftyLottie]

From the government website

I"f you are married or are in a civil partnership, the first person entitled to your estate under the intestacy rules is your spouse/civil partner, but he or she will not necessarily inherit the whole of your estate (the Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into effect on 5 th December 2005 and gave same-sex couples the right to register their partnerships, giving them broadly the same legal rights as married couples).

The amount your spouse/civil partner would inherit depends on how much is in your estate and which of your blood relatives survive you. Assets held in joint names usually pass automatically to the other joint owner(s) and do not form part of your estate (if you are unsure about the type of joint ownership you share with another, you should consider seeking legal advice)."

[LoftyLottie]

This is where my quote came from

http://www.hmcourts-s...te/why_will.htm#chart

If you have everything in joint names then your wife will inherit (but it will take time to go through the legal process if there is no will)

If there are assets in your name only then she may not get them all - it depends on how much your estate is worth.

A will is well worth the money it costs to make (Probably in the region of £100/£150) and, in my opinion, it is worth going through a solicitor to make sure it is exactly what you want.

[ludwigvan]

Thanks for the advice folks.