Tips for Writing a Will

emmadigirank
October 16, 2012

Don’t leave it until the last minute

Solicitors recommend people to write a will as soon as possible. Although you may not want to consider your own death in the early stages of your life, without writing a will risks leaving your family’s inheritance and estate in the wrong hands. Many people are unaware that wills can change to keep up their circumstances. While at the age of 20 you may not have much to leave in your will, as your circumstances change or if you get married your previous will will automatically be revoked and you will be asked to write a new one. It is important to update your will as soon as possible so that your beneficiaries will receive what you wished to them to have.

Choose trustworthy trustees

Trustees are responsible for managing your property and money until your beneficiaries are of age to legally take care of these matters. Trustees are also responsible for looking after trusts, so it is important to choose people you really trust, and preferably people who are less likely to die before you, so they are able to look after your assets.

Appoint legal guardians

Children under the age of 18 will be appointed a guardian by the court if you have not specified who this should be in your will. If you are the last living parent of a child under 18, you should appoint a guardian to take care of your children once you have passed.

Make it legible

This may seem obvious, but there have been many disputes due to writing being unreadable or interpreted in different ways. Your will must be written or printed and must be legible. If your beneficiaries cannot understand the will, they may not receive what you intended them to.

Get professional guidance

Appointing a solicitor to write your will will guarantee it is written professionally and accurately. They will advise you on what to include and help you decide on how to share your estate, money and belongings. Appointing a solicitor also means it will be easier to make amendments in the future.

Sign your will

If a will has not been signed in front of two independent witnesses, it will not be valid. Always sign the will each time you update it to avoid your beneficiaries losing out on what you wish them to inherit.

Keep it safe

The safest place to store a will is with a solicitor. You can register a will, meaning the whereabouts of the will be documented in a central register. It is a digital record of the solicitor who holds the will, and it may also provide information on when the will was made, as well as any changes or amendments to it.

Always make sure your family is aware of your will’s whereabouts. If a will cannot be identified, authorities will assume one was not made, leaving the law to step in and deal with your estate according to certain rules and laws.

If you would like help on writing your will, contact expert will writing solicitors, Burt Brill and Cardens for professional advice.