Can't Take It With You (BBC series of 6 programmes)

Wednesday, 23 February 2011 00:00

1. Charity doesn't begin at Home

2. Favouritism

3. Sons and Daughters

4. Guardianship

5. The Family Business

6. Disability

Quoting from the BBC's synopsis, it was a "series confronting some of the emotional dilemmas people face in writing a Will and help them with the often taboo and neglected task of working out how to evaluate and divide their estates.

An astonishing 70 percent of us will go to our graves without ever making a will. However, dying without a legally valid Will, or having written an incorrect one, can lead to loved ones receiving nothing and could even tear a family apart. Each week Sir Gerry Robinson, one of the country's leading businessmen, helped two families face up to writing their Wills, bringing friends and relatives together to discuss who gets what and why.

This week Sir Gerry Robinson helped two couples to write their Wills, getting the whole family involved in the process to ensure the solutions are right for everyone.

Having a child with special needs can leave parents facing tough choices when it comes to making a Will. Bruce wants to write a Will which leaves nothing to his children, or his autistic grandson, but instead gives everything to his two other grandchildren. However, Bruce's whole family disagree with this plan.

Patsy and Andy can't agree on what to leave their daughter, Rebecca. Andy thinks she should get more than her brothers, because she is severely disabled and will need lifelong care, but Patsy can't bear the thought of leaving some children less than others, and wants to divide everything three ways."

Tozers' Wills team is particularly skilled at dealing with all the issues covered in the series. They also have significant experience in drawing up trusts for clients for whom Tozers' medical negligence team have won large awards of damages .

If you watched any of the programmes in the BBC 2 Series Can't Take It With You and you have questions regarding the drafting of your Will, please contact Ted Foulkes, Head of Wills at Tozers LLP, on 01392 207020.