5 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Writing A Will

Writing a Will is the best way to ensure that your property and possessions are dealt with according to your wishes after your death, to avoid the risk of a dispute, and minimise the administrative burden on your loved ones. Writing a Will is usually straightforward, but there are several common mistakes people make that are, fortunately, easy to avoid with planning and foreknowledge.

1) Pick Your Witnesses

To be a legally binding document, a Will must be independently witnessed. For a Will to be legally binding there must be two witnesses, both of whom must be over the age of 18, and both of whom must ideally be present when you sign your Will. The witnesses must be UK citizens, and they cannot be beneficiaries or related to beneficiaries. Often, this means that most people’s friends and family cannot be witnesses. It’s therefore a good idea to work with a solicitor who can ensure that the Will is valid. 

2) Keep Your Will Up To Date

Many people don’t know that Wills can potentially have a use-by date. Major life events, such as the birth of a grandchild or one of your beneficiaries getting married or divorced, may give reason for your Will to be changed. As such, it’s recommended that you update your Will at least once every five years or when your circumstances change. If serious events such as an acrimonious divorce happen to you or your loved ones, you should update your Will immediately avoid your inheritance going to the wrong beneficiaries. 

3) Remember (All!) Your Assets

It’s easy to remember to put your house and treasured possessions in a Will, but many of us forget the less tangible parts of life. Bank accounts, shares, and even social media accounts should all be included in a Will. Unless you give clear instructions, banks won’t automatically let your partner or relatives access any funds, which can leave them in a difficult situation if you are the primary provider. Additionally, it can make life hard for your loved ones to close direct debits or similar commitments that you have in your name. 

4) Pick The Right Executor

Your executor is the person who you trust to manage your affairs on your behalf. However, most of us have ‘that’ friend or family member who is organised, efficient, and good at managing details in a crisis. For many people this is one of their adult children or a trusted friend. Once you have appointed an executor, they will need to remain involved in the whole process, including having access to an original copy of your Will. 

5) Keep The Original

When it comes to legal documentation, photocopies and scans aren’t enough. It is vital that you retain the original Will, as signed by your witnesses, to be given to your executor. Many people prefer to entrust this responsibility to a solicitor, whose guaranteed levels of safety and security mean that nothing goes amiss. 

What Next?

At Astle Paterson, we provide a confidential, sensitive, and cost-effective Will Writing service that covers the entire process and ensures that all details are covered. To arrange an appointment with one of our will writing and inheritance specialists, please call 01283 531366 today.

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