let's face it no one wants to think
about dying which is the main reason up
to 60% of Brits die without a will in
place but failing to write a will not
only means your assets could fall into
the wrong hands it could also cause
untold stress for your loved ones if you
die without making a will your estate
will be divided according to the laws of
intestacy this means your money will be
distributed according to strict rules
and certain people you might want to
benefit could be excluded writing a will
doesn't have to be complicated but it's
important to do it correctly and keep it
up to date start by tossing up all your
assets including any life insurance
policies cash deposits and investments
you'll also need to take any debts
including your mortgage into account and
deduct the cost of your funeral next
you'll need to consider what legacies
you wish to make you can leave your
entire worth to one person or divide
fixed sums among named individuals in
addition to your will you can also write
a letter of wishes stating who should
receive valuable possessions like
jewelry and family heirlooms if you have
children under the age of 18
your will is also an opportunity to say
who you would like to take care of them
in the event that you and their other
parent dies you also need to consider
financial support form after your death
usually by setting up a trust the
easiest and cheapest way to write a will
is to do it yourself either by
handwriting or typing up your requests
or using a high street will writing pack
now you'll need to get to people who
have nothing to gain from your death to
witness and sign your will and store
your will preferably through a solicitor
or at a bank however this approach is
only suitable for people with very
straightforward financial circumstances
there's also a risk the tiniest mistake
could render your will invalid a safer
option could be a will writer now this
is also cheap because will writers do
have to be qualified or regulated just
make sure they're a member of a
recognized trade body such as the
Institute of professional will writers
or the Society of Professional will
writers the best option however is to
use a qualified and law society
regulated solicitor especially if you
have more complex requirements for
example you've remarried or have an
inheritance tax liability as well as
their expertise you or your
beneficiaries will be protected and
entitled to redress should something go
wrong for help finding a qualified
solicitor contact the Society of trusts
and estate practitioners or the Law
Society as your circumstances change
you'll need to review your will changes
can be easily made either by adding an
addendum or by revoking the old will and
drawing up a new one
not by altering the old will you must of
course get your new will re witnessed
and possibly write a clause stating that
you wish to revoke all previous wills
and codicils
