Published on: 8th September 2025

The importance of having a Will – A tale with two possible outcomes

At Casey & Associates, we often see firsthand how the presence—or absence—of a Will can dramatically affect the lives of surviving loved ones, especially when young children are involved.

Let us share a real-world inspired story to show the difference good planning can make.

Joanne and Abigail’s Story

Joanne and Abigail were just 6 and 4 years old when tragedy struck. Their parents, a loving and hardworking couple, had taken them on a visit to their aunt Sarah’s home by the coast. During the trip, while the children were playing together, the parents went on a ride at a local funfair. Sadly, a devastating accident occurred, and both parents passed away.

Two very different outcomes followed, depending on one key detail: whether the parents had written Wills.

Outcome A: Wills Were in Place

Thankfully, in this version of events, both parents had valid Wills. They had carefully appointed trusted individuals for key responsibilities:

• Hayley, the father’s sister, was named Executor. She immediately took charge of managing the estate and working with the authorities.
  
  
• Sarah, the children's maternal aunt, was nominated as Guardian.

Because the parents’ wishes were clear and legally documented, social services quickly agreed that Joanne and Abigail should live with Sarah, who they knew well and loved deeply. The transition, though heartbreaking, was as smooth as possible under the circumstances. The girls remained close to their cousins, Jack and Jill, and grew up in a stable, familiar environment, surrounded by love and continuity.

Outcome B: No Wills Were Written

In this version, the parents hadn’t got around to making Wills. As a result, no one had clear legal authority to act, and no Guardian had been appointed for the children.

That left the door open to dispute and uncertainty. Doris, a distant relative who lived nearby, stepped in. Despite Joanne and Abigail’s discomfort around her and her children, social services had to consider what was practical and immediate. With no written wishes to guide them, the court eventually placed the children with Doris.

Unfortunately, Doris restricted contact with Aunt Sarah, and the children grew up in an unhappy and emotionally distant environment. The lack of a Will had not only complicated legal matters but had directly affected the children's wellbeing and upbringing.

A Simple Step That Makes All the Difference

These contrasting outcomes underscore the importance of having a valid, up-to-date Will in place—especially if you have children. Appointing guardians and executors, and making your wishes legally known, ensures that:

• Your children are cared for by the people you trust most;
  
  
• Your estate is managed quickly and efficiently;
  
  
• Your family avoids unnecessary stress, disputes, and delays at an already painful time.

At Casey & Associates, we make the Will-writing process clear, compassionate, and tailored to your personal needs. You don't need to wait for the "right time"—the right time is now, for your peace of mind and your family’s future.

If you’d like to speak to one of our consultants about writing or updating your Will, please get in touch. We’re here to help. To arrange an appointment with a Consultant please telephone 01732 868190 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 see the areas we normally cover please click here.

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

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