Making a will

A last will and testament is a legal document that dictates what happens to your possessions and assets once you pass away.
A testator (a person making a last will) must make sure that the document fulfils a number of legal requirements to make sure that it is valid.

Your will should set out:

• Who is going to sort out your estate and carry out your wishes after your death (your executor)
• Who should look after any children under 18
• Who you want to benefit from your will
• What happens if the people you want to benefit die before you

You should review your will every 5 years and after any major change in your life, eg:

• Getting separated or divorced
• Getting married (this cancels any will you made before)
• Having a child or grandchild
• If the executor named in the will dies

Hayley will meet with you to take your instructions, then go away to prepare a draft will and send it to you for your approval.

When you are happy with the draft will Hayley will either meet with you again to witness your will with another independent witness, or post the will to you to sign in the presence of two independent witnesses.

When you have signed your will we can store your will free of charge and send you a copy, or you can store the original will yourself in a safe place. You should tell your executor (the person you have chosen to sort out your estate), close friend or relative where your will is.