When thinking about making a will there are some key considerations that you need to make.
First you need to consider how you would like to divide up your estate. Consider all the people who currently depend on you, both in and outside of your family, this way you won’t miss out people who are important to you.
Secondly, if you have children, you will need to consider how you would like them to be cared for you if you were not around. This includes financially, where they live, and what education they get.
If your children are older you may want to consider what kind of financial support they will need, and which of your assets they have particular attachments to.
Writing a Will
A will isn’t just about money however; it also includes your wishes regarding funeral arrangements and general property.
Once you have decided what to put in your will you will have to appoint an executor who will be in charge of distributing your estate according to your will once you have passed away.
It is always best to go to a solicitor firm or legal company when writing a will as often hand-written wills are contested or there is no proof that they were not written under duress.
This is why you should always seek professional advice before making a will as it is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your passing.
Other things to think about:
Should you ever become incapable of conveying your wishes, whether it is due to an illness or an accident, then it is important to consider appointing a power of attorney who will be legally allowed to act on your behalf.
A lasting power of attorney will be able to make decisions on your behalf regarding both your finances and your health care, which means you really need to think about who you want to hold this position.
Although most people assume they will never be in a situation where a power of attorney will be necessary, it is important to plan for the ‘just in case’ situations.
If a power of attorney is not appointed, until the time of your death, money cannot be retrieved from your personal bank accounts, which means you would not be able to financially support your family, even if you are financially capable of doing so.