"Do I actually need a Will?” It’s one of the most common questions people ask me - often followed by, “I keep meaning to sort one… I just haven’t got round to it yet.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
For many people, making a Will feels like something to deal with later. Later in life, later when things feel calmer, later when there’s more time to think. The problem is that later has a habit of turning into never, and that’s where difficulties can arise.
So let’s take a step back and look at it properly.
What does a Will actually do?
At its simplest, a Will sets out:
- who should deal with your estate
- who should receive your assets when you die and,
- if you have children under 18, who should care for them.
It’s not about being pessimistic or expecting the worst. It’s about clarity and control.
Without a Will, there are rules that decide what happens instead - and those rules don’t take personal circumstances, family dynamics or intentions into account.
“But everything would just go to my partner… wouldn’t it?”
This is actually one of the biggest misconceptions.
If you’re married or in a civil partnership, your partner may inherit under the intestacy rules, but not always everything and not always in the way you might expect. If you’re not married or in a civil partnership, your partner has no automatic entitlement at all, regardless of how long you’ve been together or whether you own a home together (depending on how it’s owned, of course!). That often comes as a shock!
“I don’t have much, so does it really matter?”
A Will isn’t just about money. It’s about:
- protecting your children
- making things easier for the people you leave behind
- avoiding delays, confusion, or unintended outcomes.
Even modest estates can become complicated without clear instructions.
“I’m too young to need a Will”
There’s no such thing as “too young”. If you have children, own property, run a business or you’d want specific people to benefit from your estate, then having a Will in place is essential.
In practice, many of my clients are working-age adults and young families who simply want the reassurance of knowing things are in place.
What happens if you don’t have a Will?
Without a Will:
- your estate is distributed according to strict legal rules
- unmarried partners may be left with nothing
- children’s inheritances may be delayed or handled in ways you wouldn’t have chosen
- loved ones are left dealing with extra stress at an already difficult time
Most people don’t realise this until they’re faced with it - often too late to change.
So… do you need a Will?
If you care about who would deal with your affairs, who would benefit, or what happens to your children, then yes - a Will is most definitely worth having. But that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated or overwhelming. A good Will should reflect your circumstances, be explained clearly, and be put in place at a pace that feels right for you.
Where to start
If you’ve been putting this off, the first step isn’t making decisions - it’s having a conversation. Understanding your options is often enough to turn “I really should…” into “I feel better now this is sorted.”
And that peace of mind is usually the reason people wish they’d done it sooner.
Taking the Next Step
If you’re ready to take the next step, or if you find yourself with questions, please do get in touch. You can submit a general enquiry or book an appointment at a time that suits you. Remember, all my initial consultations are free.
