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How do You Make a Will1. Roughly calculate the value of your money and belongings. Please use our calculation sheet - click here 2. Make a written note of your wishes. When it’s completed take it to your solicitor to speed up the process. There is no limit on the number of gifts you can leave. Below is a list of the three main types of gift you can leave:
People sometimes leave labels on their possessions or a list to indicate who they wish to leave them to. This isn’t legally binding so please do make a Will and, if you wish, go through it with close family and friends, so they know exactly what you are leaving to whom in your Will. 3. Make a note of your executors. It is important that when you are choosing your executors (usually two) you choose people you trust. There is no reason why they shouldn’t be someone you intend leaving a legacy to in your Will. Remember to ask the person first as this is quite a responsibility. They have to collect together all your assets, deal with the paperwork, pay off the debts from your estate and make sure that everything is done in accordance with your wishes and the law. 4. Make a note of any questions you need to ask your solicitor. Some of the questions you may consider are:
Funeral Arrangements: as this is such a sensitive subject it is recommended that you make your wishes absolutely clear in your Will. You should always tell your executors and immediate family what you want. 5. Arrange to see your solicitor. Once you have followed steps 1 to 4 you are ready to make your Will. If you don’t have a solicitor, ask a friend or relative to recommend one, or look through the telephone directory to find details of solicitors near you. Don’t be afraid to ask them what they will charge for drawing up a Will. Prices do vary. Once you’ve found a solicitor make an appointment. If you find it difficult to visit your solicitor’s office, ask if they will visit you at home. Most solicitors are happy to do so. If you intend to leave a legacy to The Highland Society For Blind People please let us know by completing the Pledge Form at the end of this booklet. 6. See your solicitor. When you go to see your solicitor take your written notes with you. What will happen is very straight forward. You simply sit down with your solicitor and explain what you want to say in your Will. The solicitor will ask you some questions to make sure that everything is covered and you’ll be able to ask him or her about anything you don’t totally understand. Your solicitor will then prepare a draft Will for you. When you have agreed that you have included everything and everyone you need to, and you are sure that the Will makes your wishes clear, you must sign it in the presence of two independent witnesses. That’s all there is to it. Unless your Will is unusually complicated it’s all over in a couple of hours. You then have the piece of mind knowing that the people and causes you care about will be provided for in case anything happens to you. 7. After you’ve made your Will it’s best to leave the original with your solicitor or in some other safe place such as your bank. Keep a copy at home in a safe place, together with your personal notes. Tell your executors or immediate family where they can find it and make sure they know what your preferences are for your funeral arrangements. Review your Will every few years. Most people should Review their Will every four or five years, or as their circumstances, or those of the people included in their Will, change. It’s very easy and worthwhile. The next section ‘How To Change Your Will’ explains how to do it, when you ought to make a new Will, and also when you should simply change it. |
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