You can find the essential guide on how to write a will, with facts and FAQs about will writing here – it’s got lots of nuggets of valuable info! Some essential questions are below. ⬇️

Q: What is a will?

Your will, or your Last Will & Testament, is a document that lays out how you want your assets to be divided after you’ve died. It needs to be signed by you, in the presence of two witnesses to make it legally binding.

Q: Who needs a will?

Whether you’re a millionaire or don’t have a penny to your name, having a will saves time, money and stress for the people you leave behind.

However, having an up-to-date will is especially important if…

• You’re a parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 18.
• You own a home.
• You’re in a relationship, but aren’t in a civil partnership or married.
• You’ve just got married or are in a civil partnership
• You’ve got divorced
• You want to have a say in where your possessions go after you die.
• You own a business.
• You want to make the lives of the people you leave behind easier.

Q: What happens if you die without a will?

Everyone technically already has a will: it’s the one the government gives us.

Dying without having a will is called ‘dying intestate’ and it means that the law determines where your assets end up, and who is responsible for your children. One size doesn’t always fit all – and this doesn’t suit everyone.

Plus, dying without a will, in short, is a headache.

It costs £9,700 on average for the people left behind, and it means more paperwork, hours of admin and stress for them too, all when they need it the least.

Q: What key decisions do you make in a will?

Having a will allows you to have a say on the things that matter the most, even after you’re gone.

In a will, you decide:

• who would look after your children (if they’re under 18, and if all figures with parental responsibility were to die) – also known as appointing guardians
• who will take on the legal responsibility and work of carrying out your wishes after you die – also known as appointing an executor, or executors
• who will receive your assets, including property, money, and personal items.
• who will take care of any pets.
• who would manage any businesses you own, or what would happen to them.

Q: What’s the difference between a basic and a bespoke will?

You can read about the difference between these types of wills **here.**