From Lawpack's Last Will & Testament DIY Will Kit .
Making a will is not a complicated process. For the vast majority of us there is no need to see a solicitor. Making a DIY Will is something we can do from the comfort of our own homes. And without any great expense. But there are some things you should think through and plan before settling down to write your will.
Before you make your will you need to:
- List the assets you own.
- Decide who is to receive those assets.
First, make an inventory of everything you own, whether in your name alone or owned jointly with others. (For more information on 'property' that you may own jointly, and what this means for making a will, see our article called Property That Doesn't Pass Under A Will ).
Lawpack's Last Will & Testament DIY Will Kit provides a Property Inventory form which can help you.
Then you should decide whether there are any specific gifts you want to make to particular people. Any item you don't specifically allocate forms part of the residue of your estate (i.e. the remainder of the property belonging to you at death) and you must also decide who is to receive this residue. (For more information on specific gifts when making a will, see our article called Making a Will: How To Leave A Gift In Your Will ; and see Making A Will: Now You've Left Gifts, What Do You Do With The Rest Of Your Property? for more information on the residue).
If you don't make any provision when making your will for someone who is financially dependent on you, that person may have a claim against your estate. This can also apply to a person you are living with including, but not limited to, civil partners, spouses and children. Where this risk exists, you should always take legal advice to help you make your will.
Law is stated as at 1 July, 2008
