Why make a Will?
Making a Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after you die. If you die without making a valid Will, a court will decide how to distribute your property according to a fixed legal formula which almost certainly will not reflect what you would really like to happen. Without a Will, your loved ones could face a lot of trouble, work and expense in settling your affairs, at a time which will naturally be difficult anyway.
Even more importantly, if you have children then you need to choose guardians to look after them in case anything happens to you. Most parents appoint guardians for their children through their Wills. If you do not appoint a guardian(s) for your children, a court could decide who looks after them. So a valid Will is really important; it’s the only way you can look after your family and friends and leave gifts to the people and causes you care about, safe in the knowledge that your wishes will be carried out.
Around 1 in 3 UK adults have not yet made a Will. Are you one of them? There are plenty of common excuses for not making a Will – perhaps thinking about death makes you uncomfortable, or you feel too young to think about it yet, or you haven’t much to leave or you assume your partner will get everything anyway. Sadly, none of these excuses will help your loved ones if tragedy does happen. Making a Will is simple and not expensive. We strongly advise you to see an independent solicitor when making or amending your Will. Find out more about how to make a Will here
