What is a will and why is it so important?

A will is a legally binding document that instructs your executors on how you would like your estate to be distributed when you die. If a will is not done properly it can be invalid meaning the need for a professional will writer is paramount. If you do not have a valid will in place the rules of intestacy apply. If you have a surviving partner that you are not married to or in a civil partnership with, they have no rights to inherit your assets and could end up being homeless. Having a will in place makes sure that your assets go exactly where you want them to go.

Maybe you have children under the age of 18. You can appoint guardians to look after your children otherwise the court of protection will appoint guardians on your behalf. A will gives you control over who will look after your children, a will protects their future and gives you peace of mind.

You can create trusts to protect your assets from care home fees, disinheritance and bankruptcy. Your will can create a trust on death to make sure your children are financially taken care of. Having a will can reduce the amount your estate may pay in inheritance tax.