A guide to Wills and Testaments

What is a Will?

A "Will" or "Testament" is a legal declaration by which a person, the "Testator", names a person or people to manage and distribute their estate when they die.

Why write a Will?

Having a Will ensures that upon your death, your estate will be distributed to the people you intended to receive it, and in a timely manner.

Writing a Will is the safest way to protect your family's future when you die.

What happens if you die without a Will?

Dying without a valid will is called "Intestate", and your estate will be passed through the legal system to be dealt with.

The courts will appoint "Personal Representatives" who will be responsible for distributing your estate according to the laws of intestacy which are called "Probate".

Your estate could end up being given to a person that you would not want it going to.

Distributing your estate through Probate is also a timely process, often taking over a year for the beneficiaries to receive the Estate.

Our Rules of Intestacy guide explains how your estate would be distributed if you were to die without a having written a Will.

Who should write a Will?

Everyone over the age of 18 who is of sound state of mind should have a Will written.

What does a Will cover?

Your Will doesn't just cover your estate, it can also be used to express your wishes for other things such as your desired funeral arrangements.

Can two people have the same Will?

No, there is no such thing as a "joint" Will, but if you are married or in a civil partnership you can "mirror" each other's Wills as a cost effective way of both having a Will.