Writing a will and keeping it up-to-date is the best way of making sure your wishes are complied with when you are no longer here, but it also ensures your friends and family do not have their stress added to an already emotional and difficult time. In this article, we look at five ways having an up-to-date will helps your loved ones after you pass.
1. To make things easier
To put it simply, making a will makes matters more simple for your friends and family and those who would have to make key decisions in your absence. It provides clarity, guidance and completeness over what you want to happen and will give them peace of mind that your wishes are adhered to.
2. Clearly specifies who manages your estate
When preparing your will, you will be able to nominate an ‘executor’. This is a key role, and you must carefully consider who your executor will be. You should nominate someone you trust and they must be aware of the responsibilities of their role as executor.
An executor is responsible for managing and distributing your estate to your elected beneficiaries. If you do not choose an executor in your will, the court will appoint one for you. If this happens, there is a chance that the appointed executor would not be someone that you would have wanted, so it is important to have a nominated executor in your will.
3. Makes clear your funeral wishes
Preparing a will allows you to include instructions for your funeral. Although these wishes are not legally binding, they can assist your friends and family and avoid further stress when arranging your funeral. You can provide wishes for the service, music, location, and final resting place, as well as whether you wish to be buried or cremated.
4. Minimise the chances of family disputes
Disputes can unfortunately occur. However, having a will in place reduces the chance of this happening – allowing you to choose exactly how you would like your estate to be distributed.
5. Security for your loved ones
If you pass away without leaving a will (i.e you pass intestate), your estate may be distributed in a way you would not have wanted. Blended families, such as families with stepchildren and unmarried partners, have no automatic right to any of your estate. If you are not married or in a Civil Partnership, you will only be able to leave your property if you make a will.
When is the best time to write a will?
Ideally, you should write your will at the earliest opportunity. It is common for people to consider writing their will at key milestones throughout their life, such as buying property or having children, when they begin to amass assets and dependents.
However, is in the best interests of yourself and your loved ones to be proactive and ensure a will has been written.
Getting legal support to write your will
A will is a legally binding document that must be written in accordance with certain rules and regulations, which is why many people use a solicitor who can ensure your will is legally valid.
Howell Jones Solicitors have a team of lawyers that can help you prepare a new will or amend an existing will to take into account any recent changes in your personal, family or financial circumstances. We can also assist with setting up and administering trusts.
