What to put in your Will

Writing a Will involves more than simply choosing who to give your money to. We look at what you should consider when making a Will.

Your Will is the document that tells people what you would like to happen to your estate after your death. If you have young children, it can also ensure that they are cared for and provided for.

The following are points to think about before having your Will drawn up:

Executors

Executors are the people responsible for dealing with the administration of an estate. They will need to collect in and value the assets then arrange for transfer or sale of them and distribution of money to your beneficiaries.

It can be a complicated and time-consuming job, so it is important to choose people who you believe are capable of carrying it out, as well as those you trust implicitly. It is possible to appoint a professional executor, for example a solicitor.

Guardians

If your children are under 18, you should use your Will to appoint a guardian for them in the event of your death.

If you don’t choose someone yourself, then it will be for the court to decide who should raise them.  You should speak to your choice of guardian and make sure that they are happy to take on the role.

Funeral arrangements

If you wish, you can include funeral arrangements in your Will, however bear in mind that they will not be legally binding. It can give your loved ones an idea of what you would have wanted however, so it can be of comfort to them. You should make sure that you have also told them that your wishes have been included in your Will in case they do not have sight of it straight away.

Specific legacies

You can leave gifts of money or items in your Will, known as specific legacies. These can be given to named individuals or charities.

Residuary Estate

This is the portion of your estate that remains after all expenses, debts and specific legacies have been paid. You can leave it to one person or split it between several, giving each one a named share, for example a third.

The important thing to bear in mind is that if your estate ends up being smaller than you had anticipated, then the residual amoumt may be far less than you wanted to give to someone. Those receiving specific legacies will still receive their money first, and those sharing the residuary estate may be left with very little.

To speak to one of our expert Will lawyers, ring us on 01634 353 658 or email us at rob@pembrokewillwriters.com.