Who can be a beneficiary of my will?

Anyone can be named as a beneficiary in your will – as long as you live in England. Many other countries have different laws, often referred to as forced heirship. As you might expect, the rules can change as you cross borders.

In Scotland, your immediate family has legal rights even if they are not named in your will. A spouse can claim a third of the estate and the children, collectively, are entitled to another third.

Across the Channel in France, the emphasis is on providing for children. In China, dependents who can’t work and have no source of income have to be looked after first. And these are just a few example.

However, in England, you can distribute your money and belongings as you wish. Yes, you can leave everything to charity and ignore your partner and kids. But be careful as wills can be challenged in court, especially if you have not made “reasonable financial provision” for  them or if it is proved that “undue influence” was applied.

As with anything like this, it’s best to let a professional handle it. Make sure your money and possessions go to the right people and make sure your will is watertight by contacting Heritage Will Writing on 02380 879243.