A will is an important legal document which describes your wishes for what you would like to happen to your estate (everything you own) after your death. Being absolutely clear about who you want to benefit when you die will not only remove any doubt and help avoid family disputes, but also help your loved ones sort out your affairs at what will be a difficult time for them.
First things first
A good starting point for what and who you might want to include in your will is to consider the following questions:
- What do you own? Properties, vehicles, savings and investments, jewellery, antiques, furniture, clothes, personal belongings, pets…the list goes on.
- What do you owe? Mortgage, credit cards, loans, equity release, etc.
- Do you have children under 18? If so, you may want to think about appointing guardians for them.
- Who do you want to benefit from your will? Your partner, children, special friends or neighbours, charities, etc.
- Do you have any other special requests? Organ donation or funeral arrangements are things many choose to include.
- Who do you want to appoint as your executors?
The types of gifts you can leave in your will
Guardians and Executors
If your children are under 18 you will need to choose someone to appoint as their legal guardian.
You will also need to appoint executors. These are the people who will be responsible for making sure the instructions in your will are carried out properly and you appoint them in the legal document.
It’s true, knowing what to include in your will can seem daunting, but it’s not. We’ve given you some things to think about here and when you come to prepare your will with us, we’ll take you through everything step by step, you’ll be surprised at just how easy it is.