Our Social & Wellbeing Services

Why do I need a Will?

You decide when you make a Will who you leave your assets to. As soon as you begin to save, purchase your first home, have your first child or inherit money a Will becomes essential.

Without a Will you have no say in how your estate will be dealt with and instead, your assets will be divided according to the law. Your family may not end up with all that you wish or their future may be complicated by assets going elsewhere.

As long as you are able to give instructions and have capacity to make a Will you can. You decide who will be your executor, who will be the guardian of your young children, who you leave your personal items to and all of your other assets.

Do I need a lawyer to write my Will?

It is not essential for a lawyer to write your Will. However, the value that a lawyer brings to making a Will is the advice they provide in relation to taxation, care planning, conflict of interest and practicalities.

They are also familiar with the terminology that is used to interpret Wills by the Courts so can add valuable insight into what could be the difference between a valid Will or an invalid Will.

Where does my Will live?

We hold on to all the Wills so that it is safely kept. All our newly written Wills are also added to the National Will Register.

What should I never put in my Will?

Always carefully word gifts in your will to avoid giving something away that you might not have at your death (E.g. a bank account that may close before you die). 

Your Will is a private document so anything that you write in it remains confidential.  However, once a Grant of Probate has been issued it becomes a public document which means that anyone can apply to the Probate Registry for a copy.  Therefore, it’s best not to include any sensitive reasons as to your thoughts; you don't want the world to see you airing your family disputes in public.

It is best to leave out a clause in your will that goes into detail about why you have excluded a beneficiary from your estate.  These are often sensitive issues.  By all means, you can say that you have specifically excluded a beneficiary but if you feel the need to tell people why, do this in a separate letter to your executors which sits with your will.