At Ridley & Hall we believe that updating your Will is one of the first things that you should do once you have made that decision to divorce. That’s why we are excited to announce our new offering: the ability to instruct us to handle your Divorce and your Will simultaneously, all for a fixed fee. Provided by our solicitors specialising in Wills and Divorce. 

• Lack of Wills in the UK 
• Protecting Your Estate: The Importance of a Will 
• The Need to Review and Update Your Will 
• But I’m not sure what I will have when the divorce is done, shouldn’t I wait? 
• Simplifying the Process with Our Fixed Fee Service 
• Our Comprehensive Fixed Fee Divorce and Wills Service 

Lack of Wills in the UK 

Did you know that a significant portion of UK adults do not have a Will? In fact, only 44% of UK adults have one, and for half of those, their Wills are outdated. This is a critical issue, especially during a separation, as what happens to your estate if you pass away becomes paramount. 

Protecting Your Estate: The Importance of a Will 

Consider this scenario: if you’re married or in a civil partnership and you don’t have a Will in place, your ex-partner will inherit the majority, if not all, of your estate whilst you are still married (i.e. until your divorce is finalised). At first, you may not think that this is of importance, you may be happy that your ex receives the majority of your belongings if you pass away before you are divorced, after all, who else would you want to receive your possessions and money when you pass away? Your ex will look after your children won’t they?

But what if they don’t.

Consider the situation that in the future they enter into a new relationship; it is more than likely that when they make a new Will they will leave everything to their new partner, this is what is normal for most people. If they remarry it’s likely their new spouse or civil partner will automatically inherit their estate.  All of your money and possessions have passed to your ex-partner and then will pass to their new spouse when they pass away, what will your children receive?

As we are aware a blended family may result in your assets being watered down and not ending with who you may wish. Only one person is able to control what happens to your belongings and that person is you! 

The Need to Review and Update Your Will 

If you already have a Will you will need to consider what you stated you wanted to happen in that document. Did you leave everything to your ex-partner? Are they the person in charge of dealing with your affairs when you die (Your Executor)? Is this still what you want to happen when you pass away? If you were to pass away before your divorce is finalised then your current Will would take effect, just because you were in the process of divorcing does not affect your Will in any way. How do you change this? You make a new Will. 

But I’m not sure what I will have when the divorce is done, shouldn’t I wait? 

Around 31% of adults believe that they don’t need a Will because they don’t have enough to warrant making a Will, but your Will deals with so much more than just money; 

1. Who will deal with everything when you die?
2. Do you want a funeral when you die? Do you want to be buried or cremated?
3. What about your children? Who will look after them?
4. What about those sentimental items you have? Who do you want to receive those?

A Will is about much more than just money, yes that is important, but there is nothing stopping you from updating your Will once your finances are settled. We also know that 39% of adults know that they need a Will, but simply “haven’t got round to it”.  

We understand that life gets in the way, and whilst you are going something as difficult as a separation, where you are not just focusing on yourself, but your other loved ones, a Will may not always be the first thing in your mind and therefore we strongly believe that once you have taken that very big step to divorce that nothing should be left. 

Simplifying the Process with Our Fixed Fee Service 

We believe that updating your Will is one of the first things that you should do once you have made that decision to divorce. That is why we have launched this new dual service for one simple fixed fee. This fixed fee is the same amount as it would have previously cost you to complete just your divorce with us. That is how important we view this process. Terms and conditions apply. 

Our Comprehensive Fixed Fee Divorce and Wills Service 

Our Fixed Fee Divorce and Wills Service Includes: 

• Divorce advice and application
• Simple Single Will
• Severance of Tenancy (if required)

 Speak to one of our family lawyers today. 

Terms and Conditions Apply 

Please note that court fees, advice on other separation matters (financial/children matters, domestic abuse), and complex Will arrangements such as Trusts are not included. 

Click here to find out more about our Fixed Fee Divorce & Wills Service.