Everyone over the age of 18 should make a Will. You will have the comfort of knowing your personal wishes will be carried out in the event of your death.

We recommend contacting the Law Society to find a list of solicitors near you. 

In England and Wales, go to lawsociety.org.uk or call 020 7242 1222.

In Scotland, contact the Law Society of Scotland at lawscot.org.uk, or call 013 1226 7411.

In Northern Ireland, contact the Law Society of Northern Ireland at lawsoc-ni.org, or call 028 9023 1614.

Here are some of the main types to choose from:

• • A Residuary gift: a share of your estate. This is what is left after all gifts and expenses have been paid. It can be split into shares or a percentage. These gifts are particularly useful as they are not affected by inflation.
  • A Pecuniary gift: a specific sum of money. It doesn’t have to be a large amount, it all adds up.
  • A specific gift: This is an item of value, such as jewellery or stocks or shares that can be sold to fund our work

Gifts in Wills are tax efficient. Inheritence Tax is a tax on your estate once all debts have been deducted. 

If the total value of your estate is over £325,000 (the current inheritance tax threshold, also know as the “nil rate band”), your beneficiaries will have to pay 40% inheritance tax on the amount over £325,000, although there is an exemption for gifts left to a surviving spouse or civil partner. 

However, legacies to registered charities are tax-exempt and are deducted from your estate before any tax liability is calculated. For married couples the threshold is £650,000.

It is recommended that you should appoint at least two executors, but you can appoint a maximum of four. These are the individuals who will make sure your Will – your wishes – are carried out.

If your children are under 18, you can appoint Legal Guardians in your Will to care for your children in the event of your death.

Yes. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, marriage (or remarriage) will normally invalidate your current Will. It is therefore very important that you make a new Will as soon as you marry.

If you need to make any changes to your Will, these will need to be made in writing and signed and witnessed by two people (one in Scotland) in the same way as the original Will. 

We would recommend producing a new Will with the amendments incorporated which replaces the earlier Will. You can create a new document, called a codicil, however these are becoming increasingly uncommon.

We always recommend taking professional advice in relation to Wills and codicils to minimise the chance of problems interpreting or implementing your wishes.

The law will decide what happens to your estate. This may mean that your intended beneficiaries receive nothing, and your wishes may not be implemented. 

If you die intestate (without a Will) and without a living relative, your estate will go to the Crown.