Page 62 • The HERALD • 19th February 2026 v THE HERALD - Your Community Magazine v ASK A PROFESSIONAL 6 REASONS WHY PARENTS SHOULD HAVE A WILL by Heritage Will Writing Second Apprentice Passes With Flying Colours In Record Time At Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour 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 bene ciaries 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 beneficiaries 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. Call: 023 80879243 for more details. e second apprentice at Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour has passed his nal assessment with ying colours a er completing the course in record time. George Dunsdon began work on the Beaulieu River as a Marina Operative and completed his apprenticeship in just over a year. Harbour Master Wendy Stowe said: “His Level 2 Marina & Boatyard Operative course usually takes two years to complete, so we are really proud of George for finishing in record time and earning outstanding results.” George follows in the footsteps of the Beaulieu River’s rst apprentice Oli Rickard, who won the ViewHR Award for Apprentice of the Year in the 2024 New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards. Wendy added: “The independent examiner gave exceptional praise for the quality of service, facilities and overall experience we provide at Beaulieu. He has only ever awarded top marks to a small number of apprentices, and George and Oli are two of them.” e British Marine examiner praised George’s positive, professional, “start the day with a smile” attitude towards customers, helping in small ways to exceed their expectations. Awarding a merit, he said: “I was impressed by the way George conducted himself throughout and his calm approach to work instilled confidence in those around him. This was an excellent assessment.” Both apprentices are now using their skills to o er a quality service for up to 500 berth and mooring holders, as well as more than 10,000 visitors who stay at Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour each year. Extra facilities are also being o ered a er the redevelopment of the boatshed, providing stunning waterfront o ces and workshops as opportunities for marine-based businesses to relocate to one of the most desirable marinas on the south coast. For more details and rentals visit: www.beaulieuriver.co.uk/boatyardredevelopment, email: wendy.stowe@ beaulieu.co.uk or call: 01590 616200. Second apprentice at Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour George Dunsdon
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=