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Wills/Insurance policies

Being of a certain age, we thought we would check through our paperwork, make sure our basic insurance policies are ok etc., We only have each other and one son, and have written a Will to go to each other or if only one of us here then to go to son. Our insurance companies are blinding us with Science, about probates/trusts etc., no matter what they say it is as clear as mud. We can't afford solicitors to deal with this, surely if a Will is drawn up this should be sufficient along with death certificate. What can we do?


Created By on 26/05/2017

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PrelovedPrams
17th Aug 2018 10:11:22
0
Thanks for voting!
I can certainly understand how you feel. I would recommend that you find a really good financial adviser as this is all very straightforward. Your life assurance should be written into trust, which is effectively gifting your policy to your son upon your death. Therefore, since its his, the cash is forwarded to him, tax free and immediately. In other words, because you gifted it to him, it no longer is yours when you die and does not get included in your estate for probate purposes.
Boudica
26th May 2017 11:33:21 (Last activity: 27th May 2017 06:35:33)
0
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Hi

It's not as daunting as it seems. I went through all this last year following the death of my husband. I did initially consult the solicitor that held our wills, this was an informal discussion and was free in my case. She then explained how everything worked and gave me some options:
1. She could deal with everything and I would pay an amount depending on the value of the estate.
or
2. I could do a lot of the work myself ( contacting banks, pensions, insurances etc ) and she would then deal with the organizing of the probate/HMRC. This was for a fixed fee to the solicitor.

I chose the second option with guidance from my solicitor exactly what I had to do and it was all quite straight forward. After the initial discussion she gave me the guidance via email. I think this way is probably quicker as well because you can mange your own affairs.
I hope that helps.
Response from Georgie Girl Original Poster made on 27th May 2017 06:35:33
As mentioned above, this should be straightforward but it is not. We took out simple life insurance policies to go to each other on death, if when there is only one of us left we naturally want this to go to our son. When the time comes it should be a simple phone call to insurance company, copy of the Will and death certificate and monies paid.
Is there anyone at all on here that has experienced this,

Gerryburne, thank you but at our age this is not a logical solution, the insurance is for peace of mind for those left to pay for things needed etc.,

Boudicca, we can't afford solicitors, probate should not be necessary, this should only be required if an estate is complicated, large and property worth a lot etc.,

Has anyone had a death and gone through the simple procedure of just picking up the phone to insurance company and it has been straightforward.
gerryburne
26th May 2017 11:23:54
0
Thanks for voting!
Like you, my wife and I have a simple will, everything goes to the partner so long as she/he survives the other by 30 days. Otherwise everything goes to our children (5 between us) in equal shares. Named executors are each other but if both are gone it is our two sons. Simple.

Unlike you, we do not 'do' life insurance. We only do car and home, and are too old for travel insurance, so we are of no interest to insurance companies. So, my suggestion to you is cancel you life insurance policies - they are no good to you when you are dead - save the premiums and live long and prosper.

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