Reasons for not making a Will and what this may mean for loved ones

Making a Will is one of those important things in life that for a number of reasons most of us never seem to do. Generally these reasons categorise themselves into 5 key areas:

- Not getting round to it
- Never thought about it
- Actively putting it off until they are older
- Don’t like to think about dying
- Their estate isn’t big enough to warrant one

Whatever reason an individual may have for not writing their Will the fact remains that unless one is written, the good intentions that an individual may have had to provide for their loved ones will not be carried out as they would have wished. This is because when someone dies without a Will, unexpectedly or through ill health, any estate (property and possessions) will be administered and distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy. These rules apply regardless of the size of any estate. This could result in a loved one being denied an inheritance in favour of someone else.

It is important for everyone to have a Will but it can be particularly important if there is or has been a marriage and / or if children are involved.

By Writing a Will you make your own specific wishes known in a legal document and it is these wishes that are then carried out by someone you appoint as an Executor (this person has to be mentioned in the Will).

When writing a Will it is also important to realise that a number of factors are required to make it valid including ensuring that there are witnesses and that they are not beneficiaries of the estate.

It is best to seek professional help from a legal expert, who can provide best advice on not just how best to write your Will but also on the types of will available. Depending upon your circumstances and wishes a different type of Will may be required.

And it need not be as expensive as you may think. However don’t be tempted to go for the cheapest option such as pre-printed stationery available from some of the high street shops as invariably these will not be sufficient for your needs. Some Will writing companies offer an on-line capability and may be flexible enough for your needs however not all companies may offer the “Rolls Royce” service that you should expect with a legal expert.

Most people will plan for the future in some way, whether it is saving “for a rainy day” or for their retirement. So why not include Will writing as an integral part of planning for the “rainy day” that will inevitably arrive.