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LATEST NEWS & EVENTS Will writing 'can reduce family arguments'  The likelihood that arguments will occur between family members over money following a death is reduced if a will is in place, it has been suggested. Writing in the Daily Mail, Stephen Womack said that the production of such documents can prevent "family wrangles". He pointed out that the laws of intestacy do not ensure that money and other assets go to where the deceased would have wished. Also, family members can be left in unnecessary financial hardship if wills are not available, Mr Womack stated. He went on to draw attention to a study published by Unbiased.co.uk, which claimed that more than half of adults in Britain are lacking wills. The organisation's chief executive Karen Barrett remarked: "Writing a will doesn't feel pressing or urgent. It's one of those tasks that people are happy to put off because they think, 'it won't happen to me'." Last month, the Fellowship of Professional Willwriters and Probate Practitioners released research which suggested that more than eight in ten consumers aged between 18 and 30 do not have such legal documentation in place. Vincent Fattorusso, head of wills, trust and tax planning at Lamport Bassitt Solicitors, commented: "Whilst I accept in principle that a will can reduce family arguments after death of the testator, this presupposes that the will is correctly written and properly reflects the wishes of the testator. "For example, if a family member is left out a rational explanation has been incorporated within the will or in a side statement attached to it. "If one individual receives less than another (and they consider themselves equal beneficiaries) there is some explanation as to why this has been done. "For example, 'I have already assisted x with cash advances during my lifetime etc. These may be small points but are often the cause of bitter rows between family members who will argue that there has been undue influence or even coercion. "It is absolutely vital that a will is in place. To die intestate is expensive and does not leave your assets where you want them to go and clearly is far more conducive to litigation. "It is equally as important that the will is properly drawn and written and that the possibility of litigation is minimised as much as possible. "It can never be fully eradicated especially in these litigious times in which we live. Your solicitor of course has had years of training and experience and is properly regulated in these matters and is therefore the best person to assist with formulating and writing your will. "A first 30-minute consultation is invariably free and thereafter a fixed fee often applies so it is not as expensive as you may think to give yourself as much peace of mind as possible." 
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