What is covered within my Will, and what isn’t?

Leaving all your money to your cat would probably put your family’s noses out of joint. But is it actually legal?

To cat lovers everywhere, sorry. Your beloved moggy, like any other pet, is classed as a possession and cannot be named as a beneficiary in your will. You could, of course, leave your money to a friend on the condition that it’s used to care for your four-legged friend.

When writing your will, it’s important to note it can only cover assets that are owned solely by you. This includes property, investments, personal belongings, cash, etc.

If you are married, for example, you can’t leave half of your jointly-owned house to a secret lover. After your death, regardless of what your will says, your house would pass to your spouse as the surviving joint owner.

Other things that can’t be changed in a will are the names of the beneficiaries of trusts, life insurance proceeds and payable-upon-death investments. You may have re-married and updated your will but your first spouse may still be the named beneficiary – unless you had remembered to change it with the provider.

Make sure your cat is catered for following your death by contacting Heritage Will Writing on 02380 879243.