If you don’t have a Will, the law decides who gets what. Spoiler: it might not be who you think. Intestacy rules can leave unmarried partners out in the cold, step-children overlooked, and families tied in knots.
But a good Will is more than just “who gets what.” Think about:
Choosing Executors – It’s a job, not just an honour. A good executor should be organised, sensible with money, impartial enough to keep the peace, and (crucially) willing. If family politics are messy, adding a professional executor can save a lot of stress.
Changing Bequests – Specific gifts (jewellery, cars, heirlooms) change more often than the big stuff. Keep an eye on them or you risk leaving behind confusion (“Dad left me the Jag” — shame he sold it in 2009).
Letters of Wishes – These aren’t legally binding, but they’re invaluable. Think of them as the recipe card you leave in the kitchen — they don’t carry the force of law, but they help the family “make the dish” the way you wanted. Executors and trustees almost always follow them because they provide clarity and keep the peace.
They’re especially useful if you’re using a Will trust, or if you want to explain the why behind your decisions. Even more practically, they’re a brilliant way of setting out small legacies and personal gifts — who should get the jewellery, a painting, or even the teapot everyone squabbles over. Because a Letter of Wishes can be updated easily at home, you can change it regularly without paying to redraft your Will every time.
Things people forget: guardians for children, pets, digital assets, and those sentimental items that cause the biggest arguments if not mentioned.
Practical tip: Review your Will every 3–5 years or after major life events. Use a Letter of Wishes to add colour and cover the little things.
Call to action: Don’t leave it to chance — make sure your Will actually does what you think it does.
Back to You are not Immortal – a practical guide to a delicate topic – IHT
