CONFUSION over the legal meaning of certain words in wills can create disputes, delays and extra costs, a Worcestershire law firm has warned.

Emma Beddows, a partner at Redditch law firm Kerwoods Solicitors, said there were common misperceptions over words as simple as “descendants”, “grandchildren” and “property” when people created wills.

Ms Beddows said: “When people are leaving property to ‘descendants’, many think this only includes direct descendants and that it doesn’t include foster or step-children unless specified.

“Actually, ‘descendants’ does include foster and step-children, which is an important distinction, for example when you’re aiming to leave assets to get the full residents’ nil rate band.”

In contrast to the “descendants” meaning, Ms Beddows said many people mistakenly thought the term “grandchildren” in wills included “step-grandchildren”.

“We had a gentleman who considered his step-grandchildren to be his grandchildren, and termed his homemade will that way, but legally they weren’t his grandchildren," Ms Beddows said.

“This could have created either intestacy issues or the need for the executor to apply for a ‘rectification’ of the will.”

Ms Beddows added that even the word “property” is commonly misunderstood - people often thinking it means all their worldly possessions such as cash, cars and furniture, when its legal meaning is only bricks and mortar.

Miss Beddows said: “You’ve got to be careful with words in wills, as what’s in someone’s mind can have completely different meanings in legal terms, potentially causing complications, disputes and extra costs.

“The person dealing with the administration of the estate can apply to the court to rectify the will if it’s believed there’s a mistake to the will-writer’s true wishes. However, this is costly and time consuming.

“Your will is one of the most important documents in your life, and it’s worth paying for the best advice to make sure it’s right.”