By Newlife Wills – helping Kent families plan with confidence Many people assume their estate will automatically pass to their loved ones when they die. Unfortunately, if there is no valid Will in place, the law (not your family) decides who inherits. These are called the intestacy rules , and they often produce results families never expected. Here’s what really happens... ⚖️ What Are the Intestacy Rules? If you die without a Will in England and Wales, your estate is distrib

By Newlife Wills – helping Kent families stay protected Many people believe that once their Will is written, the job is done for life. In reality, your Will should evolve as your circumstances change. If it’s been a few years since you reviewed yours, here are five clear signs it may be time for an update. 1️⃣ You’ve Moved House Buying or selling property is one of the biggest triggers for a Will review. Why it matters: Your estate value may have changed You may now own prope

What Happens If My Executor Dies Before Me? It’s a surprisingly common question and the good news is, your Will doesn’t automatically become invalid if your Executor dies before you do. That said, what happens next depends on how your Will was written. If You Appointed More Than One Executor If your Will names two or more Executors , and one of them dies before you, the remaining Executor(s) can usually continue to act on their own. This is one of the reasons we often recomme

Many people assume their assets will automatically go to their loved ones if they pass away - but in England and Wales, this is not always the case . If you die without a valid Will, the law decides who inherits your estate. This is known as the Rules of Intestacy , and they rarely reflect what most families would actually want. Who Inherits If You Don’t Have a Will? If you are married or in a civil partnership: Your spouse does not automatically receive everything Your estat

Most people assume that if they die, their home will simply go to their partner or children. Sadly, that is often not true . If you die without a Will in the UK, your property is not passed on according to what feels “fair” - it is passed on according to strict intestacy rules. These rules can cause devastating outcomes for families, especially where people are unmarried, remarried, or have children from previous relationships. Here is what really happens. If You Are Married

If you’re not married, you might assume your partner will automatically inherit if something happens to you. In the UK, that is not true. There is no such thing as a “common-law spouse” when it comes to inheritance. Without a Will, your partner could receive nothing at all . This is one of the biggest myths in estate planning, and one of the most common reasons families end up in distress. What Happens If You Die Without a Will? If you are not married and you die without a Wi

One of the most emotional (and most overlooked) parts of making a Will is deciding who would care for your children if the unthinkable happened . Many parents assume family members would “just step in.” Sadly, that isn’t always the case. Without a legally valid guardianship clause, the decision could be made by the courts - not by you. At Newlife Wills, we see far too many families who never realised how critical this one clause really is. What Is a Guardianship Clause? A g

With so many online templates and “cheap Will” options available, it’s easy to see why people are tempted to write their own Will. At first glance, a DIY Will can seem: Quick Affordable Convenient But in reality, DIY Wills are one of the most common causes of estate problems , disputes, and unexpected costs after someone has died. At Newlife Wills , we often speak to families dealing with the fallout of a Will that was written without proper advice and unfortunately, by the t

Yes — absolutely. You can change your Will at any time, provided you have the mental capacity to do so. In fact, reviewing and updating your Will regularly is just as important as making one in the first place. At Newlife Wills , we often help clients update Wills that no longer reflect their current wishes or circumstances. How Can a Will Be Changed? There are two main ways to change a Will: 1. Making a New Will This is the most common and safest option. A new Will: Replace

The New Year is a natural time for reflection. We look back on the months behind us, think about the people who matter most, and quietly make plans for the year ahead. For many families, it’s also a moment to pause and ask an important question: "If something happened to me this year, would my loved ones be protected?" At Newlife Wills, we believe peace of mind isn’t just a phrase – it’s a gift you give to your family. Why the New Year is the perfect time to review your Will

Christmas is often described as the season of giving - not just gifts, but time, care, and kindness. Many people spend the festive period checking in on elderly relatives, helping neighbours, or making sure loved ones aren’t alone at what can be a difficult time of year. At Newlife Wills , we see this side of Christmas every day. It’s the phone call from a daughter worried about her parents. The grandparents wanting to make sure their grandchildren are protected. The busine

Christmas is a time when families come together - sharing meals, memories, and moments that really matter. It’s also a season that naturally encourages reflection: looking back on the year just gone and thinking ahead to the future. For many people, these quieter moments raise important questions: Are my loved ones protected if something happens to me? Would my family know what I wanted? Have I put things in writing clearly enough? Why Christmas is often the moment people act

Most people think of a Will as a legal document - something formal, complicated, and easy to put off. But at Newlife Wills, we see it differently. A Will is the final gift of love and protection you leave for the people who matter most. Yet in the UK, over 60% of adults still don’t have a valid Will , and many more have outdated versions that no longer reflect their wishes. Life moves quickly, families grow, circumstances change, and assets increase - but without a Will, ever

Your Will isn’t something you set and forget. Life changes - and when it does, your Will needs to change with it. If it’s been a while since you last reviewed yours, here are the five biggest signs it’s time for an update ; 1. You’ve Had Major Life Changes Marriage, divorce, having children, buying a home, or starting a business can all affect how your estate should be structured. If your Will doesn’t reflect your current life circumstances, it won’t protect the people you in

Newlife Wills – Making Will Writing Simple When most people sit down to write a Will, they think about the big things: who gets the house, who inherits the savings, and who will look after the children. But there are so many  important details that often get missed - and these are the details that can save families stress, arguments and even thousands of pounds. Here are 10 things most people forget to include in their Will , and why they matter. 1️⃣ Guardianship for Children

By Newlife Wills – Local, Friendly, Trusted Every year on World Kindness Day (13th November) , people around the world pause to celebrate the power of simple, thoughtful actions. Whether it’s a warm smile, a helping hand, or a kind message sent at just the right time, kindness shapes how we feel, how we live, and importantly - how we are remembered. At Newlife Wills , kindness isn’t just something we value; it’s at the heart of everything we do. Our work is deeply personal. W

When it comes to planning your family’s future, it’s important to know you’re in safe hands. While online will services may seem convenient, they often can’t offer the personal advice, face-to-face reassurance, or tailored solutions that a local, qualified will writer  provides. At Newlife Wills , we believe peace of mind starts with a conversation - not a computer screen. 💬 Personal Advice You Can Rely On Every family is different. Whether you’re a parent wanting to appoint

At Newlife Wills, we believe that estate planning should feel reassuring, personal, and completely stress-free. It’s a privilege to help people protect what matters most - their family, their home, and their future. And nothing makes us happier than hearing how much our clients appreciate the support we provide. We’re incredibly proud of the hundreds of 5-star reviews  we’ve received across Google, Facebook, and other platforms. Every review is a real experience from someone

In today’s world, most of us live part of our lives online. From social media and online banking to digital photo albums, email accounts, and even cryptocurrency - our digital footprint  can be vast. But have you ever stopped to think about what happens to those assets when you die? At Newlife Wills , we help families across Kent plan not only for their homes, savings and possessions, but also for the growing value of their digital estate . What Are “Digital Assets”? Digital

Blended families are now more common than ever, but without the right Will in place, stepchildren can be unintentionally left out. Discover how Newlife Wills helps Kent families create fair, protective Wills that safeguard everyone’s future. A Modern Family Challenge Many families today are beautifully blended with children from previous relationships, new marriages, and shared homes. But when it comes to Wills and inheritance , this can make things more complex. Without clea