I don’t want to make a will……
It is not easy to sign your will. I know many people who should make one, but who delay, and delay, and delay.
Sometimes they never get round to it, and they perish without a will. This might explain why the Citizens Advice Bureau reports a doubling of enquiries about problems arising from people dying without a will, or, as the lawyers say, dying intestate.
Why do people not make wills?
1) It is expensive.
Well, it can cost more if your family fall out over your lack of planning, and a basic will starts at £100. There are also several free will schemes in operation.
2) You don’t need a will for a simple family matter.
Well, that is also true. If you have no will, the law passes your assets to your next of kin. This may be just what you want, but if you have children from previous relationships, if your affairs are complex, if you want to save tax, or care home fees, then a will is needed.
3) I just don’t want to do it.
This is a very common reason. People feel that once it has been signed, they have offered themselves up to the funeral director. This can put people off, but on the other hand, I see many clients who are very relieved, and feel that, once they have signed, a burden is lifted.
You can take control of your assets and you can direct where you want them to go, but you must grasp the nettle, and put it down in writing.