What can I include in my Last Will and Testament?

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Estate planning is not something anyone wants to address, but it can take a great deal of stress away from loved ones after you have passed away.

It can give you and those you care about peace of mind, knowing that your last wishes are documented in a valid Will, and it ensures that your possessions go where you would like them to.

Our Wills and Probate team takes a look at the things you may wish to consider including in your Last Will and Testament.

In my Last Will

What can I include in my Will?

Property

Your home is probably the most expensive thing you will ever own, so it is important to consider who you would wish to pass it onto, or whether it be divided equally amongst multiple people. Having it all laid out in writing makes it clear who you wish it to go to.

Beneficiaries

These are the people who will receive your possessions or assets listed in your Will.

Money

You may wish to divide it equally between children and grandchildren or other close relatives or friends. You may want to exclude someone from receiving any money, or you might want to give some or all of it to a charity. Having it laid out on paper makes your intentions clear to potential beneficiaries.

Possessions

You may have agreed to give certain possessions to certain people. It’s alright telling someone about it, but if you don’t document it in your Will it could become a big argument after you’ve gone, whether or not family currently seem agreeable.

If you have it all broken down in black and white, it makes things clear who you intend (or don’t intend) certain possessions to be given to.

Pets

Pets are very important to consider. Who will look after them if they outlive you, where will they go? You can agree on who will keep them, and you can also set aside a sum of money to contribute towards their care if you so wish.

Investments

You can pass on investments, ISAs and stocks in your Will. Being clear on who these should go to will make things a lot less complicated for your Executor(s)

Executors

Who will be in charge of your affairs? If you don’t choose executors, the decision will be taken out of your hands and control of your estate may not be handed to the person you would wish it to.

Make sure you discuss your intentions with your chosen Executors so they are aware of it, as not anybody may wish to do so.

Guardians

If you have children who may still be under 18, it is worth considering who would look after them if there were no other parent left in the household. This would keep the decision in your hands, and with the agreement of any potential future guardian.

Do I need a Solicitor to help write my Will?

Surprisingly, it is not necessary to have a Solicitor to draft a Will. However, we would recommend seeking legal assistance. Not only does this take the stress out of it, you are also given peace of mind that it is drawn up correctly and is valid.

Some Solicitors even offer these services for free at certain times of the year in exchange for a charitable donation in your Will to a participating charity.

What about online Will writing services?

We advise you to be aware about online Will writing services, as many of them are not regulated. We go into this in more detail in this article.

I already have a Will. Can I make changes to it?

Yes, absolutely. All you need to do is contact the Solicitor who holds your current Will to discuss a consultation to make changes. You can also request your Will back and take it elsewhere.

Why choose Oakwood Solicitors Ltd to handle my Will?

As an SRA regulated firm, our Wills and Probate team has gained an excellent reputation amongst local organisations and their client-base for delivering a personal and compassionate service.

We pride ourselves on having a high standard of customer service and making all our current and potential clients feel at ease when making any decisions regarding their future wishes.