Talking and thinking about making a Will is often an uncomfortable thing to do, but leaving your estate without direction is even more uncomfortable for those you leave behind...

Leaving a Will is especially important if you are a parent.  If your children are under the age of 18, you need to make provision for their care should you no longer be there to look after them.  A guardian needs to be appointed and instructions left for that guardian as to how your estate should be administered in order to benefit and provide for your children in the best way possible.

Will forms and kits available in newsagencies and stationers have their place, but unless the form is completed and witnessed correctly, it can often be as bad as leaving no Will, especially if nobody knows where to find it... 

Drafting your own Will is better than leaving no Will at all, however you should be aware that the laws of probate can be very complex and challenges can be made to the wishes you have set down for your estate.  Having a solicitor prepare your Will helps to protect your estate. 

If you would like to know more about making a Will, follow this link to our Online Services page, where you can make a request for an online Wills Quotation.  Also available for download free of charge, is a "personal record" document, which can be used to record your important personal information to assist your family, friends or executor in the event of an emergency.

If you already have a Will prepared, but would like to make sure it can be found when needed, without the assistance of a solicitor, follow this link to the office of Births Deaths and Marriages, where there is a Wills Register available at no charge.  Please note, however that this register does not retain a copy of your Will, but only indicates the location where it is to be found.