Overlay
Bereavement services

Will-writing and Executor Service

Our professional Will-writing service

Whether it's your first will or you need to revise an existing one, our professional will and executor service helps you get it right.

Why make a will?

Making a will is the only sensible way to ensure that your money and assets are shared out according to your wishes. Our Will-writing expertise is provided in partnership with Hugh James, a leading firm of solicitors. You can discuss your wishes with them and they will identify the best way to ensure they are fulfilled. A fee will apply for this service.

It is important to remember that when you pass away there will be certain debts to be settled as well as assets to be shared out. These debts might typically include funeral expenses, household bills and taxes.

Benefits of making a will

The benefits of making a will

With a will, you can decide how your Assets are shared out to your relatives, to friends, or perhaps to your favourite charity.

You can make sure your partner is provided for if you aren't married or in a civil partnership (as your partner will not inherit automatically).

If you're divorced or if your civil partnership has been dissolved, you can decide whether to leave anything to an ex-partner.

When you make a will, you can appoint an Executor who will take responsibility for distributing your assets according to your wishes.

You can also make sure you don't have to pay more Inheritance Tax than necessary.

 

Our Will and Executor Service guide (PDF, 153KB)

Making a tax-efficient will

Simply leaving your Estate to specific people or organisations might not be the most tax-efficient way to distribute your wealth. 

  1. 01

    When writing your will, you should consider Inheritance Tax and how to protect your money for future generations. There are ways to reduce the amount you will be eligible to pay, thus increasing the amount of your estate which can be distributed according to your wishes.

    What is Inheritance Tax?

    Inheritance Tax (IHT) is payable on the value of your estate (after you die). It is only payable over a certain amount (or "threshold").
  2. 02

    It may be more Tax-Efficient to set up a trust within the terms of your will. A trust is a way of managing Assets (money, investments, land or buildings) under a range of circumstances. There are different types of trusts and they are taxed differently.

    Created with Sketch.

    Setting up a trust

    Check out the Government website for further information relating to different types of trusts and their benefits.
  3. 03

    If you already have a will, you may wish to review it to ensure it reflects any changes to your situation or to inheritance laws. Tax reliefs and other matters referred to are those available under current legislation, but these may change, and their availability and value will depend on your individual circumstances.

""

Appointing an Executor

It's up to you who you appoint as an Executor of your Estate. It could be an individual, family member or another professional such as the bank.

An Executor must deal with legal, property, investment and tax issues relating to your assets and that may require specialist knowledge.

An executor must also act impartially with all Beneficiaries and offer confidentiality. Bear in mind that a close family member may not wish to perform this role, especially at a time of bereavement.

Our Executor service

If you choose to appoint Ednites Credit Union as your executor in your Will, you will know that the pressures and complexities of settling your affairs will not fall to your friends and family. As executor, we will manage the entire process, protecting the people closest to you from unnecessary stress.

""

The benefits of our executor service

Your wealth is passed on in an efficient and professional manner.

We will make sure your chosen beneficiaries receive what is due to them from your estate promptly and impartially.

We’ll be on hand for your beneficiaries throughout the administration process, helping in any way we can.

Our estate administration service is provided by Hugh James solicitors.  If your estate is in Scotland, Hugh James Solicitors will appoint Brodie’s LLP Solicitors to act on their behalf.

Please note that should you appoint Ednites Credit Union as your professional executor, there is a charge for this service. Download the terms and conditions below for fee information.

Will-writing and Estate administration terms and conditions

Important information regarding service fees, terms and conditions for the Will-writing service and the estate administration service provided by Hugh James Solicitors.

Get in touch to discuss your will

Get in touch via email

Get in touch by email to discuss your requirements. A member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Created with Sketch.

Give us a call

Contact Hugh James Solicitors today on 0330 024 2981.

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, please call us using Minicom on 0800 404 6161.

Frequently asked questions

Checklist and pen

Have you got your affairs in order?

Would your family know your wishes if you fell ill or died? From your finances and funeral, to legal arrangements like wills and power of attorney, take a look at what to consider when planning for later life. 

Anything else we can help you with?