Why Should I Make a Will?

Making a will doesn’t mean you are about to die. But it does ensure your wishes are carried out when you eventually pass away.

The rules of intestacy apply when no will exists. This can cause arguments and distress among relatives struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one. One reason is because a surviving partner who wasn’t married or in a civil partnership with the deceased has no automatic right to inherit.

And a court will decide who looks after their children if both parents die without nominating a guardian.

Many years ago, wills were simply deathbed statements made in confidence to a priest. When the law requiring two witnesses was introduced, the strangely large proportion of estates bequeathed to the church took a sharp drop.

Do-it-yourself wills are available but negotiating the legal jargon can have disastrous effects. Unmarried couples with children need to be particularly careful. Fixing these messes has made lawyers extremely rich.

It’s important to choose a will writer – like Adam Johnson – who is a member of The Society of Will Writers, a non-profit making self-regulatory organisation that ensures its members are professionally trained and fully competent.

Adam can be contacted at Heritage Will Writing on 02380 879243.