A will is a legal document that outlines an individual’s wishes for after their death. It usually includes instructions on the distribution of their property, money, possessions or even the care of any minor children.
Benefits of a will
A will can be beneficial for many reasons. First, it allows you to outline exactly where, or to whom, you want your assets and possessions to go to after you die. In the absence of a will, your belongings will be distributed according to whatever laws are enforced in your area, which may not be what you would want. If you have children who are under the age of 18, having a will enables you to appoint a trusted guardian to care for them instead of leaving the decision up to the courts. Having a proper will also avoid passing on avoidable stress and worry for loved ones left behind who won’t need to make decisions about what to do with your assets and money.
Writing your own will
As many people realise the benefits of having a will, the idea of writing their own has become more appealing.
Not only does it mean you can accurately convey your wishes, but it also means that you have control over making changes if your personal circumstances change.
With regards to how to word a will, there are several things you need to keep in mind before taking pen to paper. If you decide to write your own, you’ll need to ensure that it’s structured and worded with complete clarity to prevent confusion and avoid any errors that risk invalidating it.
Remember a will is a legal document and no matter how sound the document may be, if it fails on one small technicality or error in wording the whole document could then become useless.
If you’re considering writing your own will, read our top tips for wording your will before you get started.
Top tips for wording your will
Include personal details: Clearly state your full name, address, and nationality to avoid any confusion about whose will it is.
Declaration: Include a statement that you’re of sound mind and not under any undue influence while making the will.
Beneficiaries: Clearly state who you want to benefit from your will. This can include family members, friends, and charities.
Use a template: There are plenty of professional will templates available at a small cost to ensure you don’t miss out any requisite sections or important legal terms. Even if you use a template, it’s best to double-check that you’ve got everything covered for your own peace of mind.
Double check spellings, especially names: Don’t risk a careless mistake or misspelling creating problems when it comes to executing your will; always double check spellings and have someone else proofread the document.
Always name people: When naming someone within your will always be specific and ensure you use people’s full names rather than their relation to you, e.g. ‘my son’ or ‘my wife’.
Use proper legal terms: If you’re set on writing your own will, it’s important to take the time to learn the proper vocabulary and terms to use within the document, for example, assets, beneficiaries, executors, guardians, etc. Getting the wording right can be difficult, especially if your will or its terms are more complicated than simply leaving everything to your spouse or children.
Remember, if your situation is complex, such as if you have multiple beneficiaries, own a business, or have a large estate, we strongly recommend you seek advice to ensure your will is legally valid and achieves your intended outcomes.
The price of a professional will-writing service is reasonable when you consider the peace of mind that it will give you knowing the document is free of errors and your estate will be divided according to your wishes.
Contact Wafer Phillips Solicitors
Wafer Phillips Solicitors is a specialist team of solicitors that can assist with a range of claims, including wills and probate. With years of experience in the field, we can ensure that your will is properly drafted and legally valid.
When it comes matters such as estate planning, we can provide personalised advice based on your personal circumstances and requirements.
We have the knowledge and experience to help those who are nervous or apprehensive about writing a will by themselves.
With our team of specialist Wills and Probate solicitors, we can work closely with you to draft a document that aligns with your personal wishes and priorities.
At the drafting stage of writing a will, we can assist you with creating a watertight document that outlines your personal wishes and preferences. During this step, any special considerations or gifts can also be accommodated, as long as they don’t invalidate your will.
If you want to know more about the consequences of not having a will, we can also help you to understand the concept of intestacy. This process has strict rules relating to who has an automatic claim on your estate.
We are also able to share our knowledge of the probate process, which involves applying for a ‘grant of representation’ to authorise you to sort out the deceased’s estate, gather their assets, pay their debts, and then distribute their estate.
Our high-quality service also ensures that can make an unlimited number of amendments for the remainder of your lifetime, if you wish, or need, to make any changes. It’s important to keep in mind that drafting and writing a will can be an uncomfortable process, but having a professional guide you through it can put your mind at ease.
At Wafer Phillips, we believe it’s important to ensure your affairs are in order and that your loved ones are cared for. For professional advice or help with writing your will, contact us today by dialling 0151 256 7898 for a simple, affordable, will-writing service that you can trust.
