Page 62 • The HERALD • 29th January 2026 v THE HERALD - Your Community Magazine v ASK A PROFESSIONAL 6 REASONS WHY PARENTS SHOULD HAVE A WILL by Hertage Will Writing 1. Appointing guardians e appointment of guardians only takes e ect in the event of both parents passing away whilst the children are under the age of 18. e appointment of guardians needs to be given careful thought and planning. A common misconception is that if you have chosen godparents, then they would step forward in order to raise the children, however this isn’t the case. 2. Financial planning for the children It is reported that the average amount of money spent on raising a child from birth to the age of 18 in the UK (including housing and childcare costs) is £233,256. Careful planning must be considered to ensure the guardians are provided for with su cient funds in order to raise the children. 3. Revise beneficiaries from Trusts, pensions or life policies If you have assets held in Trust, a life insurance policy or a pension scheme, these may not be passed down as per the provisions under the Will. It is recommended to contact the providers and nominate your bene ciaries speci cally. 4. Age of inheritance e law currently states that a child’s inheritance is held for them until their 18th birthday. For many families this can be a concerning thought and for many, they choose to delay the inheritance age – such as 21, 23 or 25. 5. Appointment of Trustees If you die before the age you have chosen for the children to inherit, their assets will be held in a Trust for their bene t. You will need to choose who you would like to nominate as Trustee to look a er the Trust on behalf of the children. 6. Marriage or partnership Perhaps you completed your Will many years ago having purchased your rst property. Life quickly becomes busy, especially with life’s larger milestones such as marriage/civil partnership and welcoming children into the family. For many, reviewing their Will is the last thing on their minds and are not aware that the legal act of marriage or entering into a civil partnership formally revokes any previous Will you have made if the Will does not include a contemplation clause. erefore, it is important to regularly review your Will, especially if you are engaged or are expecting, to ensure that the change in circumstances have been included under the terms of your Will. £180K Pledged To Hampshire Based Charities Tackling Domestic Abuse And Supporting Mental Wellbeing Zurich Community Trust (ZCT) has announced a £180,000 commitment to three Hampshire-based charities as part of a three-year initiative aimed at improving health and wellbeing in local communities. Each charity will receive £20,000 annually, selected by Zurich UK employees for the vital work they do. ese local partnerships form part of a wider commitment, with Zurich Community Trust investing £1,677,000 to support 31 charities across the UK, equivalent to £559,000 each year. In Southampton the funding will support Yellow Door which provides specialist support for individuals and families a ected by domestic and sexual abuse. Further a eld in Portsmouth e Moving On Project and Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association will also receive funding. Samantha Owen, Interim Head of Zurich Community Trust commented: “We’re proud to stand alongside charities that provide vital support for those facing domestic abuse and mental health challenges. Yellow Door and the Moving On Project offer lifelines to individuals and families during their most difficult times, and we’re excited to welcome Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association into this initiative. This pledge is about more than funding - it’s about creating safe spaces, hope, and brighter futures for people in our communities.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=