WRITING A WILL - A COMPLETE GUIDE

What do you want your will to achieve?

Before making a will think what you want to achieve by it. Are you married? Have you any children? Are there any other beneficiaries you wish to include, such as parents, brothers, sisters, distant relatives? Are you likely to leave any money to charity? Have you considered organ donation?

Once you have considered what you want to achieve then draw up a list noting exactly what assets you have and how best to distribute your estate to fulfil your wishes. Whatever you own is considered to be an asset: a car, any items of furniture, jewellery, paintings, house, securities and so on. Add to this any money you may have in savings accounts, along with details of any insurance policies or investments you hold. Literally, everything you own should be listed, from half-shares in the family silver to half-shares in an old jalopy.

Now list, in order of priority, those people you wish to benefit from your will. You may want your daughter to have all your jewellery and a friend might appreciate a specific item such as a ring, a painting or any item that holds particular fond memories. If you are a parent, you will probably wish your children to receive the money from your life insurance policy, a share of the house, any pension rights you have, investments and so on.

Alternatively, you may decide to split it, leaving some to your spouse and the rest to your children. You might want your church or favourite charities to receive a sum of money. Whatever you decide, note alongside each item whom you wish it to go to.

A will is the 'last wish' of a person and so expresses what you want to happen after your death. However, some wishes may not be actionable. For example, if you do not ask the people who you have selected to be your executors whether they are prepared to take on the task, they could well turn it down. You may wish to be buried in your local churchyard, but without prior permission from the vicar you may be put to rest in another cemetery. And if you died while living abroad but wished to be buried in this country, arrangements would have to be made (and finance found) to bring your body back.

Again, another example is that of guardianship. If you wish to appoint a person or persons as your children's guardians in the case of your and your spouse's death, then do ensure that you have their agreement that they are willing to take on this responsibility. Also, you will need to have a special document drawn up by your solicitor.

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