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Money Box Live: Wills and estate planning

Wills and estate planning

06/11/2013

BBC Radio 4 - Money Box Live, Wills and estate planning

Need advice on making your will or estate planning? Ruth Alexander takes calls and emails.

Need advice on making your will or long-term estate planning? Ruth Alexander and expert guests take your calls and emails.

There is always uncertainty when it comes to personal finance, but the one thing you can control is what happens to your assets after you die. Ruth Alexander and experts will take your calls on wills and estate planning.

To make sure your money goes to your nearest and dearest in the most tax efficient way you need to do advance planning.

If you have a partner but you are not married or in a civil partnership, it is even more important to detail who you want your assets to go to, otherwise you can cause your partner serious financial difficulties after your death. It may be more efficient in terms of tax to give gifts before your death, provided they meet certain conditions.

So, where should you start in making a will - do you have to go to a solicitor or are the services provided by some high street banks and shops good enough?

What happens to estates that are intestate - that is, the person has died without a valid will?

How can you manage some of your assets with a trust? It can be complicated but it can also give you more control over who gets your assets and when.

How often should you update your will? And how should you choose your executors, the people charged with carrying out the instructions in your will?

And what if you live in Scotland, where the rules are different?

Ruth Alexander will be joined by:

 Nicola Plant, Pemberton Greenish
 Mike Warburton, Grant Thornton
 Alan Barr, Brodies and Director of Legal Practice, University of Edinburgh

Ring 03700 100 444. Lines open at 1pm on Wednesday November 6th. Or e mail moneybox@bbc.co.uk.

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