How and when should one write a will

deltoro41

Hello everyone,
I found this forum very helpful that I decide to ask questions here, I hope I will also be sharing few advises when and where I can.


I would like to know how and when should one write a will.


Thank you

Mojisola

We got our kids to do their first wills when they reached 18.

kazwookie

deltoro41 wrote: »

Hello everyone,
I found this forum very helpful that I decide to ask questions here, I hope I will also be sharing few advises when and where I can.


I would like to know how and when should one write a will.


Thank you

I had my first one when I was 23 or so, I went to a solicitor for advise to do it.

HappyHarry

You should write a will now. It makes things far easier for those you leave behind. If you want to change your will in the future, you can do so.

I always recommend that a will is written by a solicitor. It isn't the cheapest method, and I do appreciate this is MSE, but I'm always a believer in making sure things are done correctly. Self-written wills can contain errors, and there was a news item recently about a "cheap" wills company that appointed themselves as executors by default, and took huge amounts of fees at that point.

deltoro41

Thanks for your views,
I will start the process as soon as possible.

Paul_Herring

deltoro41 wrote: »

I would like to know how and when should one write a will.

With a solicitor, and ASAP.

March and October are 'free wills month's, so may be worth reading up on that now: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/free-cheap-wills/#individual

OldMusicGuy

It's easy to do yourself if your will is simple. If your will is complex, it's best to use a solicitor.

Don't appoint solicitors or will-writing firms as executors, they add time and complexity to the whole process, and in my experience, no value.

MallyGirl

We did one as soon as we had a child. In our case we didn't want either set of grandparents, or my brother, to take on parental responsibility for DD. It seemed safest to get that made absolutely clear by a solicitor.
She is 16 now so we will redo it once she turns 18 and can make her own choices - although I suspect they would not be any different.

p00hsticks

And perhaps even more importantly (as you'll be past caring before any will comes into effect), is to draw up Enduring Powers Of Attorney in case you become incapacitated for any reason. There are two types - one for handling your financial affairs and one for health and welfare issues.

Tyler_Durden_UK

Paul_Herring wrote: »

March and October are 'free wills month's, so may be worth reading up on that now: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/free-cheap-wills/#individual

Need to be age 55+ for that

System

MallyGirl wrote: »

We did one as soon as we had a child. In our case we didn't want either set of grandparents, or my brother, to take on parental responsibility for DD. It seemed safest to get that made absolutely clear by a solicitor.




DD?


It's a very good idea to specify precisely who you are appointing guardian of your children while under-age. Remember you also have to leave that person enough money to be able to do so.
Bigger house, education, university, etc, let alone basic food and maintenance. It's a big commitment for someone who may already have their own children.


I think my own parents had a reciprocal arrangement with my mother's sister - it's certainly what we did. All now over 18.