Heir hunters

Last updated: 24 Jul 2008

Making a will

Find out why it can be so important to make a will and find ten top tips you should follow when drawing one up

More than half of the people in Britain die without leaving a will and if the rightful heir cannot be found after 12 years, the government is entitled by law to the unclaimed cash - this adds up to £25million a year!

Fraser and Fraser are one of the UK's leading International firms of probate researchers and heir hunters. With eight European offices and a worldwide network of correspondents, the company has been in business for almost 85 years and are one of the world's largest firms in their field.

On a day to day basis the team spend their time tracking down lost family members of deceased individuals who have either not left a will or left an invalid will. The company have dealt with over 9000 cases, found over 50,000 heirs and helped hand out well over £100 million to rightful heirs.

Follow partner in the company Neil Fraser's top tips for drawing up a will:

1. Common law spouse doesn't exist; There is no such thing as a common law wife or husband, if you are not married or a civil partner you may not have a right over their estate, no matter how many years you have spent together.
2. Tell someone; It is important to ensure your will can be found after you have died, consider registering it with the probabte registry and keeping it at your local solicitors.
3. Include everything; There is little point having a will if you don't account for all your assets, mention all your properties not one particular address and remember all your little personal belongings.
4. Name the beneficiaries; Give full names, addresses and descriptions of their relationship to you (if relevant), someone may not know who your godson Tom is after you pass away.
5. Tax free; Any money given to a charity is free from inheritance tax.
6. Last resort; think about a residual legatee (maybe a charity) who will still be around should all the named beneficiaries pass away and for unallocated property.
7. Solicitor not DIY; A qualified solicitor is the only real way of making sure a will is legal, it may cost a few pounds, but you can be confident it is correct.
8. Keep it up to Date; A will should be reviewed regularly, to make sure everything still goes where you want it to, addresses should also be checked at this time.
9. The Funeral; give details of what you want to happen after you die, where you want to be buried or your ashes scattered.
10. MAKE ONE; The only way to ensure your wishes are carried out is to make a will.