A gift to the charity Oxfam has highlighted the importance of making a provision in your Will for the unlikely event that the whole family should die with you or before you.
Richard Cousins was the head of a successful Catering company and had an estate worth more than £40m. On 31st December 2017, he was flying with his fiancée and 2 sons (aged 25 and 23) when the plane crashed into a river in Australia and all on board were killed.
Cousins’ Will provided that his estate would pass to his sons who sadly died with him. However, his Will also included a long stop provision. The provision stated that should his sons also pass away then the bulk of his fortune would pass to his chosen charity, Oxfam. Without this provision, his estate would have been governed by intestacy rules.
How we can help
At Four Oaks Legal Services, we look at those close to you that you wish to provide for in the first instance but often, we will advise you to consider the worst-case scenario. This is requires naming a ‘long stop’ individual or charity who would be entitled to benefit should those first in line pass away. We do not want your hard-earned money to be left with nowhere to go but the taxman.
Hopefully, the worst won’t happen but if it does then it’s important to have a plan in place.
If we can help with updating or making a new Will for you, please contact Adam, Charlotte or Joanna on 01543 440 308 or e-mail us at adam@fouroakslegalservices.com