Reasons to Make a Will

“Does it really matter if I don’t have a Will?”

If you die without a Will, the law fills in the gaps and directs who gets your estate, and who can deal with everything.

By making a Will, you choose who inherits

If you don’t have a Will, your estate will be distributed in accordance with the intestacy rules. These are a set of rules laid down by the government many years ago and they state who gets what if you die without a valid Will.

If you don’t make a Will, then you don’t get to choose who inherits your assets.

You might have specific items you want to leave to someone in particular, or you may want to make provision for a stepchild or partner who you are not married to. The intestacy rules do not make any provision for unmarried partners or stepfamilies, but even if you are married with children, you should not assume the rules will distribute your estate in the way you want it to be divided.

You can make the best choices for your children

You can appoint guardians for your children in your Will. These are the people your children will live with, and who will be responsible for the day-to-day care of your children, if you die before they reach 18.

If you die without a Will, no one is appointed as guardian, leading to uncertainty and perhaps the wrong people taking care of your children.

You can also choose what age your children inherit at. Many people feel 18 is too young and would prefer their children not to inherit until they are older.

Your Choice of Executors and Trustees

When you make a Will, you choose who to appoint as your Executors and Trustees. You can select the most appropriate people, who you trust and who can handle the responsibilities involved.

If you don’t make a Will, the law states who will administer your estate. This may not be who you would choose.

The intestacy rules do not cater for modern families

The intestacy rules don’t provide for stepfamilies or partners who cohabit but are not married.

It is always worth considering who you want to make provision for and making a Will that does what you want, rather than relying on old laws.

Pets

If you don’t make a Will, you can’t make provision for what happens to your pets when you die. You can include your pets in your Will, ensuring they go to the right home when you are no longer around to care for them.

Charities and friends

If you want to leave anything to friends or charities, you need to make a Will.

It makes life easier for those left behind

Making a Will gives certainty to those you leave behind. They know exactly what you want and can sort everything out as you choose.

Your assets, your choice

The most important reason to make a Will is to make sure you choose who gets what.

Don’t leave it to chance, or to some old laws to direct who gets what.

Make a Will, and get the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve done everything you can to make life easy for your loved ones.

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