5 things to consider when making a will

Many people believe that writing a Will is complicated, but in fact it's relatively straight forward. However, when writing or updating your will you should always seek professional advice. Will writing professionals will take you through the process and make it as easy as possible, but here are a few important things you should consider before you start.

1 What is the value of your estate?

One of the most important things you will have to work out is the value of your estate. This means calculating the current value of everything that you own, including your property,car, all your personal possessions and your money, minus all your debts, which include any mortgages, loans, overdrafts, any credit or extended purchase agreements.

For more help in calculating the value of your estate please use our estate calculator.

2 Who do you want to include?

Your will is your chance to take care of everything that you hold close to your heart. Gifts can be anything you own and can take the form of specific items, cash amounts, or a percentage of your estate.

Of course your family and friends always come first, but if you decide to make a charity a beneficiary as well, you'll need to know their full name and registered charity number. You can find these details in the Find a Charity section.

3 Who will look after your children?

If you have children under the age of 18, you'll need to decide who will look after them if you die. You can also provide for your pets in your will.

4 Who would you like to handle your affairs?

The people you'd like to handle your affairs after you've gone are called executors. They can be professionals, or friends, family members or a mixture. It's usually shared between two people.

5 What funeral arrangements do you want?

This is your chance to say what you'd like to happen at your funeral. It will also help your family and friends carry out your wishes in their time of grief.

Click here to download Your Guide to Making a Will