A guide to Wills
questions and answers
Why do I need a Will?
Everybody dies, and in most cases, no-one
knows when that will be. You should be
prepared for this so that the loved ones
you leave behind know your wishes
when the time comes. A Will gives you
control over what happens to your estate
(just about everything you own) and who
deals with sorting everything out; it can
specify details of your funeral wishes,
appoint guardians or trustees if needed
and may help save tax.
But I just want to leave everything to X
Many people simply want to leave their
estate to their spouse, civil partner
or children but a Will covers so much
more – for example who is to act as your
executor and actually give effect to your
wishes, who is to act as guardian for any
young children, at what age beneficiaries
are to inherit their share of your estate,
whether there are any specific items
or sums of money you might want to
give to anyone else and so on. Writing
a Will indicates your wishes and your
family and friends will not have to try and
guess, or be forced into dealing with your
estate as the law defines (which may
well not be wha B