Why Make a Will?

Naomi Pinder, formerly of Catherine Higgins Law, explains the importance of making a Will and taking part in Woodlands Hospice Will Campaign:

Reasons to make your Will through Woodlands Hospice Will Campaign

Most of us know that it is very important to make a Will so that our loved ones are protected and our wishes are carried out after we have died, yet it can be very difficult to actually take positive action and make the all-important Will.  The result is that most of us die without having made legal arrangements to decide our funeral arrangements, who deal with finances, who looks after our minor children and who actually benefits from our estate. The result can be chaotic and distressing for those we leave to grieve.

A significant number of estates after a person has died are without a valid Will. From an emotional and legal point of view for their next of kin and children who may be aged under 18 this can be devastating and very uncertain, complex and can be costly to resolve.

The difficulties are increasingly common because more and more couples live together without any legal framework and protection afforded by marriage or civil partnership. Always remember that there is no such thing as a common law marriage and the cohabiting partner does not have the protection provided to a lawful spouse or civil partner.

In your Will, you can appoint guardians who would have physical care of your minor orphaned children, and this will protect your children and avoid them being taken into Local Authority care.

You can also appoint trustees who will look after the money for your children until they come of age – 18 or 21 as you decide.

You can include gifts of items such as jewellery and gifts of money. You can also include gifts to a charity of your choice and leave whatever is left to a person or shared between a number of people.

The important step is to start the ball rolling and what better way to do it than using the Woodlands Hospice Will Campaign. Once your Will has been written in accordance with your wishes and then executed, you will have the peace of mind knowing that your wishes will be followed and your loved ones protected.

Naomi Pinder

Former Solicitor at Catherine Higgins Law