The first week of September is Remember a Charity Week, and we are encouraged to write, or update, our Wills and remember a charity whilst doing so. But why make a Will in the first place? And how easy is it?

Surprisingly, 60 per cent of UK adults don’t have a valid Will in place. Of those that do, the vast majority haven’t reviewed or updated it in the last 10 years! For those who haven’t got a Will, I often say it’s the kindest thing you can do for your family – and here is why.

When do you need a Will?

You will need a Will if...

• You want a choice of who your estate goes to. A common misconception is that your partner will get everything anyway. This is not the case, especially if you aren’t married.
• You have a property. Not all properties are owned in the same way – especially joint owners.  You need to understand how it’s owned to make sure it doesn’t pass to your partner and run the risk of it being lost for your kids if your partner remarries or needs care.
• You have children. Without naming a legal guardian in your Will, your children could be placed into the care of someone else, and in extreme cases placed in care while those decisions are made.
• You have a business. Especially if you want your business to continue after you aren’t here. You need to give protection to those you leave it to, and make sure they are protected from Inheritance Tax in the future.
• You’ve just got married or remarried. Your Will is revoked on marriage so make sure you write another!
• You are separating or divorcing. Until your decree absolute, your spouse or civil partner is still entitled to your estate if you don't have a Will, and if you do, they will still inherit according to that document.  Once the proceedings are complete, they won’t inherit, but they may have been your sole beneficiary or your executor – so you need to check it!
• You live together. Don’t assume your partner is entitled to anything at all. They also have no legal rights to make decisions about your funeral or administer your estate. You could even be left in a situation where your children inherit over your partner.
• You want to benefit a charitable cause. Many of you will give to charity in your lifetime, but leaving a charitable donation, no matter how small, in your Will makes a huge difference to the charity you care about. Many charities rely heavily on legacies in Wills and Lancashire Wildlife Trust is no different.

And even if none of these apply to you, you still need a Will. Because without one, your family will be left with a mess on top of their grief. They will have to apply to administer your estate and will face delays in getting access to and distributing your assets. Wouldn’t it all be much easier if they knew what your wishes are?