Do I Need a Will?

Short answer: Yes, most likely! Having a will is important for nearly every adult.

A will is a legal document that sets out who inherits your money, property, and possessions after you pass away. It can also specify other crucial wishes, like who should take care of your children or pets. If you're thinking "Do I really need a will?", consider the following:

You want control over who gets what

Without a will, the law decides who gets what from your estate. This might not match your personal wishes. For example, you may want to leave something to a close friend, an unmarried partner, or a favourite charity – but that won't happen unless you say so in a will.

You have children or dependents

A will lets you appoint guardians for your minor children and ensure they're looked after by someone you trust. It also allows you to set up trusts or specify at what age kids inherit money. Without a will, the court will choose guardians and your kids' inheritance will be handled according to strict rules, possibly not how you'd prefer.

You're married or in a civil partnership

Even if you're married, a will is still vital. Many people assume "my spouse will just inherit everything," but that's not always true under UK intestacy rules (more on this in a later section). A will guarantees that your husband, wife, or civil partner is provided for exactly as you intend.

You have an unmarried partner

If you live with a long-term partner but aren't legally married or in a civil partnership, they have no automatic right to inherit anything if you die without a will. There's no such thing as a "common law" marriage in inheritance law – a will is the only way to make sure your partner inherits from you.

You own property or other assets

Whether it's a house, a car, some savings, or even just sentimental items, a will lets you decide who should receive those things. Without one, your assets will be distributed by a fixed formula that might exclude people you care about (for example, friends or step-children won't get anything under intestacy).

Peace of mind

Perhaps the biggest reason to make a will is the peace of mind it gives you. Life is unpredictable, and knowing that you've clearly set out your wishes can be a huge relief. It's a comfort to you and a kindness to your family, who won't have to guess what you might have wanted.

Bottom line

If you're an adult with any assets or family to care for, you should strongly consider making a will. It's not just for the wealthy or the elderly; it's for anyone who wants to have a say in their own legacy and provide for the people (and causes) they care about. In the next sections, we'll show you just how easy it is to get your will done.