By making a will you decide what happens to the things you own, after you have died. In this country the law does not force you to make a will by law. By making one, however, you can make sure your property and possessions are passed to family, friends and people you wish to benefit from your estate. If you die without a will, your assets may be distributed according to the law rather than your intentions. This could mean that your money goes to people you did not wish to have it or to say family members who don't need it

Making a will can also make things simpler for those loved ones you leave behind, you can mitigate Inheritance Tax and you can ensure your partner is provided for, if you are unmarried or in a civil partnership

If you don't have a will there are rules for deciding who inherits your assets, depending on your personal circumstances and they may NOT be what you actually want.

What should be included in your will
Before you write your will, it's a good idea to think about what you want included in your will. You should consider:

how much money and what property and possessions you have
who you want to benefit from your will
who should look after any children under 18 years of age
who is going to sort out your estate and carry out your wishes after your death (your executor)

An executor is the person responsible with passing on your estate. You can appoint an executor by naming them in your will. The courts can also appoint other people to be responsible for doing this job.

Keep it up-to-date
You should ideally review your will every 5 years and after any major change in your life - such as getting separated, married or divorced, having a child or moving house. Any change must be by 'codicil' (an addition, amendment or supplement to a will) or by making a new will.

For will writers we act as
Introducers only to Internet Wills

The FSA does not regulate
  Will writing

DO I NEED A WILL?

Put it this way... people who don't leave a will can leave costs and complications for loved ones. Currently, they give literally millions of pounds away every year to the State, in the form of potentially avoidable inheritance tax

WHAT IS PROBATE?
A process that gives the people carrying out your will the right to deal with your assets and property. It proves that your executors have the authority they need to administer your estate

CAN AN EXECUTOR BE A BENEFICIARY OF MY WILL?
Yes. You can have up to 4 executors. A witnesses to your will can't be a beneficiary of it

HOW MANY WITNESSES DOES A WILL NEED?
In England & Wales, you need 2 witnesses over the age of 18.
The spouse of a testator (person making a will) cannot witness a will, nor can beneficiaries of the will (or their spouses).

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?