News Stories

Will your legacy be a court battle for your children?

Act now so your family doesn’t pay later 

A leading Bradford law firm is warning that in spite of regular news stories in the media on the subject of intestacy or dying without making a will, many people are unaware of the possible consequences for their families if this happens to them. 

According to James Thomas, a partner and head of the Wills and Probate Department at Read Dunn Connell Solicitors in Bradford, the recent story of a mother having to sue her young children is “not as uncommon as people may think - in these cases where there is a significant estate but no will, the surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to a lump sum of £250,000 and the income from one half of the remainder of the estate under the provisions of the Administration of Estates Act — in this case the estate was reportedly worth over £2million. 

The idea that everything passes automatically to the surviving spouse or civil partner is a myth and when couples are not married the situation becomes yet more complicated. There is a simple solution to this which is to make a will”. 

Making a will is generally very easy to do and takes relatively little time but too many people don’t realise the consequences for their family if no will is in place when they die — it is very unlikely to be the legacy they would want. 

For further information contact James Thomas, Read Dunn Connell Solicitors on 01274 723858 or j.thomas@readdunnconnell.co.uk