Will Draftsman's Handbook 10th ed

This popular book assists practitioners with the preparation of wills for the most commonly encountered situations. The concise and accessible text combines practical tools and expert guidance, including commentary on the underlying law, over 50 precedent clauses which can be readily assembled to draft wills, specimen will forms and essential statutory extracts.

The 10th edition has been fully revised to include:

• a new chapter on risks for the draftsman
• changes resulting from the residence nil-rate band
• digital assets
• recent case law and its implications
• revisions and modernisation of precedent clauses, and
• new precedents on capacity assessment, severance of joint tenancy and letter of wishes

  The book provides guidance on taking instructions, the duties of the draftsman, principles of drafting, the legal framework and the effect of taxation. The accompanying free CD-ROM contains the precedent clauses and will forms for easy customisation.

Contents:Part 1: Preliminary notes1. How to use this book2. The draftsman’s responsibilities3. Law of intestacy: some comparisons4. Law of family provision – the 1975 Act5. Effect of taxation6. Statutory rules for the draftsman7. Statutory rules of interpretation that determine relationships8. Risks for the draftsmanPart 2: Precedent clausesA. CommencementB. Executor and trusteesC. Testamentary guardiansD. Specific giftsE. Pecuniary legaciesF. Dispositions of residueG. Overriding discretionary trustsH. Trustees: powers & extended and additional powersI. ConclusionJ. CodicilsK. Capacity AssessmentL. Severance of Joint TenancyM. Letter of wishesAppendices