• March 29, 2024
 Ensure clients have catered for dependants in their will

Ensure clients have catered for dependants in their will

Thousands of pounds have recently been raised for the children of a couple who died just days apart.

The case has highlighted the importance of consolidating final wishes in order to ensure those left behind are provided for.

The tragic story of the family became well known when the children shared a photo of their parents last moments together, as their mother passed away only five days after their father.

Spokesperson for the family, Heather Gallagher, stated: ‘We are all incredibly sad this morning as we come to terms with Julie’s passing, however, she died knowing that people from our community and all over the UK and around the world have come together to support her children as the Just Giving page has reached over £64,000.

‘The kids are so overwhelmed by the love and support that has been demonstrated, and they want to share their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has made this possible.

‘It has meant that their lovely mum could go peacefully to join their dad Mike, who passed earlier this week.’

Friends of the couple had promised the mother, Julie, that the children would be taken care of. They organised a JustGiving page, deciding to arrange ways of fund-raising for the family.

Kind strangers have already donated £64,000 to the JustGiving page.

The funds will go towards the children’s future, having to face the devastating loss of both of their parents. It will help to keep them mobile as well as providing them with practical and emotional support.

They don’t have any family living close by their home in Wirral.

Mrs Gallagher, a civil servant, commented on the story and the future for the children, stating: ‘Julie and Mike have been the most supportive parents, encouraging their children’s interest in dance and acting from a very early age. All three children thrive on the stage and I know that Julie and Mike would not want this to stop their children from dancing and performing. To help them do this, we need to make them mobile again and help cover the costs that this brings.’

She also stated: ‘Luke is studying with the Liverpool Theatre School and Hannah is a talented student with Elliott Clarke Performing Arts College, Oliver is at high school. They have no nearby family in Wirral.

‘We are setting up a trust for them with the support of a local solicitor’s and we have offers of help with the funeral costs from a charity in Manchester. But any help for this wonderful family will make a real difference to their lives.’

For the majority of your clients, writing a will is not likely to be a priority. It will usually only be considered in unfortunate circumstances, such as when a terminal illness is diagnosed.

In cases like this, clients are likely to be overwhelmed with shock, often forgetting to even think about writing a will after hearing the news.

When they do seek advice on sorting out their affairs, it is essential that they are made fully aware of why consolidating their final wishes is important.

In tragic circumstances, estates will often be left to the law of intestacy, as the deceased neglected to write a will.

This can mean assets are unlikely to be distributed in line with their wishes, especially in regards to unmarried partners, who will have no rights to the estate of the deceased.

It is, therefore, essential that clients are made aware of these risks and are able to ensure dependants are catered for by writing a will.

Then, if they do find themselves in tragic circumstances, the family will at least have peace of mind that any children,  partners or beneficiaries of choice will be appropriately provided for.

Georgia Owen

Georgia is the Senior Content Executive and will be your primary contact when submitting your latest news. While studying for an LLB at the University of Liverpool, Georgia gained experience working within retail, as well as social media management. She later went on to work for a local newspaper, before starting at Today’s Wills and Probate.