“Will”
Shakespeare
A recent chance to see
a live relay of Richard
II, has reminded me
what a clever writer
Shakespeare was. But
I think he would also
have been very good
at marketing. Making a
Will being one example
(not just because it’s his
name).
King Richard (he is just about still King
at that point) says to his followers “Let’s
choose our executors, and talk of Wills”.
What a good idea! Let’s talk about
Wills. And let’s begin by choosing our
executors. Executors have a huge role
to play in administering an estate. But if
you haven’t made a Will the person who
you most want to do this for you may not
be legally able to do so. Without a Will
the law dictates who will do it. It could
be a member of your family that may be
your closest blood relative but you may
not have seen for years. Would you want
that? You may not want family to have the
distress of administering your estate on
top of their grief, but they may have to.
You may not know who to appoint as
executors but we as solicitors can be
appointed. If we are, we can organise
your funeral, and although we have to
charge for the work done, we always
take a personal interest in your wishes
to make sure everything is done as you
would want it.
So don’t think a Will is just for where
your money or house goes. It includes
appointing those people you trust and
rely on to administer your estate. And
contrary to some preconceptions, an
executor can also be a beneficiary. They
are also entitled to reasonable expenses
so shouldn’t be out of pocket for looking
after things for you even if they are not
left any thing in your Will.
King Richard then says “Let us sit upon
the ground, and tell sad stories…” Well,
don’t worry! We don’t make you sit on
the ground to discuss your Will. We have
offices you can come to with comfortable
chairs and if you can’t get to us we are
more than likely willing to come to you at
no extra cost!
King Richard also says “Let’s talk of
graves, of worms, and epitaphs”. Alright,
we don’t often bring worms into the
conversation but your Will can also be
a good place to express your funeral
wishes so that your executors know what
you want instead of having to guess
when the time comes.
King R