Due to personal family experience with a child who has down syndrome I will use this month to raise awareness in my personal life and business life. I will upload regular facts throughout the month about down syndrome.

If you die without a valid will in place then you will be classed as having died intestate.  This will result in the Rules of Intestacy being applied to your estate. Watch out for my blog on intestacy rules coming soon for more information.  You will not have any say about who inherits or how much they get nor will you have any say in who will manage your estate and divide it up, who will be trustees looking after any part of the estate that is being held on trust or who will look after any minor children you may leave behind.

Intestacy rules state that if you are married or in a civil partnership and your estate is less than £322 000 then your spouse or civil partner will receive the whole estate. If your estate is worth more than £322 000 then your spouse or civil partner all of your personal possessions, the first £322,000 and 50% of any excess over and above the £322 000. The remaining 50% excess would be divided equally between any children you have. If you do not have any children the whole estate would be inherited by your spouse or civil partner.