If you decide to draw up your own will, you must look into the legal requirements. Failing to do so may cause problems after your death which will inevitably end up costing money to sort out – so you might as well have gone to a solicitor in the first place!!

There are certain things you should take into consideration:-

• Make sure you’ve accounted for ALL your personal possessions.
• Bear in mind the fact that at the time of writing the will, you may be leaving some or all of your possessions to someone who may die before you do.
• If at some stage you decide to change the will (maybe because of the previous point), make sure the alterations are signed and witnessed otherwise it will be invalid.

Basically, write down:-

• What you’ve got and where it is.
• Who you wish to give it to; and more importantly who else may WANT it and why.

If you haven’t led a ‘complicated’ life and the answers to these questions are straightforward, then a do-it-yourself will may suffice.

There are many situations however when using a solicitor is advisable. Here are just a few:-

• If you are involved in a business.
• You live outside of the UK.
• You live in the UK but have property abroad.
• There are other members of the family that may want a share of your wealth – such as children from a previous marriage.
• If you wish to provide for someone who is unable to take care of themselves.