The Importance of Writing A Will

It might seem a little maudlin to think about writing a will, and you may even believe that you are far too young and there is plenty of time so that it can wait. However, the truth is that as soon as you hit the first significant milestone in your life, be it having a child or buying property, you need to think about the future. 

Writing your will gives you control over what happens to your money, belongings and property after you die. Research indicates that 59% of adults in the UK still need to write their will; for those aged 45-54, this figure is as high as 65%. If you need to know what you should be putting in your will or how the process works, don’t worry. It is a good idea to consult expert family solicitors like O’Donnell Solicitors, who can talk you through the process and ensure your wishes are written down. 

Why should you consider writing a will?

There are several things to consider when it comes to making a will, and here are just some of the reasons it is a good idea:

• Your estate – the primary consideration many people have when they write a will is to ensure that their possessions and money (their estate) are distributed as they would like.
• Reduce stress – the death of a loved one can be difficult for all involved, and emotions can be overwhelming. Having a will in place can help reduce this.
• Avoid arguments – there is less room for disputes when your wishes are written down.
• Provision for children – nobody wants to consider the possibility of leaving children without a parent. If your children are under 18, you can leave instructions in your will to specify who you would want to be their guardian.
• Have the funeral you want – not everyone wants the same thing for their funeral, and if you have preferences you would like taken into consideration, then putting them in your will can help your loved ones.
• Specify any charity donations – if you want to give to charity on your death, this is also something you can mention in your will.
• Care for your pets – you can also make provisions for them in your will to look after them.

What happens if you don’t have a will?

The technical term for someone dying without a will is that they have died intestate. When this happens, everything you have become subject to intestacy laws. If you have no relatives who can inherit, everything passes to the Crown. 

The rules on intestacy can be found on the government’s website. 

If you have a partner and are not married or in a civil partnership, they will not automatically inherit your estate. However, if you have unmarried children, they can inherit your estate under the rules of intestacy. So, for unmarried couples, regardless of the length of time, they have been together, writing a will is essential to ensure the future of the person left behind. 

When should you write a will?

It is never too soon to write a will. However, the points in life when you have dependents or have an estate to be left are when you should consider writing a choice. For many people who do not write a will at these points in their life, the decision to do so is often triggered by the death of a close relative. 

We never know what life holds for us and how the future will pan out, but writing a will is the best way to ensure that our wishes are passed on to those we leave behind.