Published on: 20th April 2026

How to Prepare for Making a Will

When preparing to make a Will it is extremely useful to get your information and decisions in order before your consultation with your Will writer.  The following guidance will ensure you make the process as easy as possible and avoid common mistakes;

List Your Assets And Liabilities

Prepare a clear snapshot of your estate;

• Property (homes, land).
  
  
• Savings, investments and pensions.
  
  
• Personal possessions (cars, jewellery, valuables, etc.).
  
  
• Business interests.
  
  
• Debts (mortgages, loans, credit cards, etc.).

This helps you understand what you’re distributing and whether your estate might be affected by Inheritance Tax (IHT), about which the Will writer can then advise you.

Choose your Beneficiaries

Think carefully about;

• Family, friends, charities, etc.
  
  
• Specific gifts (e.g., “£5,000 to X” or “my watch to Y”).
  
  
• The “residue” (everything remaining after specific gifts have been made).

Be realistic—unclear or unfair distributions can lead to disputes under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975.

Choose your Executors

Executors carry out your wishes after death and should be;

• Someone trustworthy and organised.
  
  
• Ideally two people (in case one cannot act).

You can appoint professionals, but fees would be incurred when they act.

Appoint Guardians (if you have children under 18)

This is crucial and, without a Will, the courts decide how gets custody of your children.  Things to bear in mind;

• Guardians are willing.
  
  
• Guardians are able.
  
  
• You’ve discussed it with them

Consider Trusts

You might need a trust if;

• Your beneficiaries are minors.
  
  
• You want to control when/how money is used.
  
  
• You’re planning for complex family situations (e.g. remarriage)

Where trust planning is concerned, legal advice is essential.

 
Consider Digital Assets

Including;

• Online accounts.
  
  
• Crypto holdings.
  
  
• Important passwords (store securely, not in your Will).

Funeral Directions (Optional)

Funeral directions are optional and are not binding, but you can still include preferences (burial/cremation) if you feel it is important to do so.

Check for Tax and Planning Issues

If your estate is sizable, consider;

• Gifts before death.
  
  
• Spouse exemptions.
  
  
• Charitable donations.
  
  
• Certain trusts.

This helps reduce any potential IHT liability.

Pprepare Key Details Before Drafting

The following are essential for your instructions to be taken;

• Full names and addresses of beneficiaries and executors.
  
  
• Clear descriptions of any gifts.
  
  
• Substitute beneficiaries (in case someone dies before you).

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Not updating your Will after marriage, divorce, or children.
  
  
• Choosing unsuitable executors.
  
  
• Being vague ~ are your grandchildren your grandchildren or your stepgrandchildren.
  
  
• Forgetting pension death benefits (often separate from your Will).
  
  

 Practical Next Step

If you would like to speak with one of our Consultants to discuss any of the issues raised in this article or any other Estate Planning topic please telephone 01732 868 190 or click here.

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If you wish to give instructions or require general information about our Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, or Trusts then we will carry out a telephone or Zoom appointment.

However, if you wish to give instructions to one of our Consultants and you feel that you can only do this at a Face to Face meeting then we are offering, at our Consultant’s discretion, a limited number of Face to Face appointments in most of the areas we normally cover.

To arrange an appointment please telephone 01732 868190 or click here.

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