When is The Right Time in Life to Write a Will?

It’s not hard to delay writing a will. Life is busy, there’s always so much going on, and, most of the time, we’re not thinking about the very big picture. Even when we are, we naturally tend to think about the positives on the horizon, rather than the idea of one day leaving our loved ones behind.

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When is The Right Time in Life to Write a Will?

But delaying writing a will also means that we have to put up with a little extra weight on our shoulders – a little more to worry about during those nights of poor sleep. It means we have to live with the fact that, should the worst happen, we are not protecting our family from the upheaval, confusion, sense of loss, and financial anxiety that occur when someone dies intestate.

But writing a will always seems to be a task for the ill or very old – when is the best time to put a will together?

How Old Do You Have to Be to Write a Will?

The only age requirement attached to will writing is that the testator is 18 years or over. If they’re still classed as a minor, then they cannot sign their name to a legal document. In other words, any legal adult in the UK can write a will and, provided it’s valid, ensure that their wishes are met should they pass away.

So, why do so many people wait? At first, writing a will may not be necessary. If you are not earning money yet – say, you’re still a student – and do not own high-value assets like property, trust funds, investments, or savings accounts – particularly if you have no dependents – you don’t need to think about a will just yet. But, for anyone who is building their wealth, living with a partner, or who has any dependents, writing a will is so important.

Remember that the way you write your will matters a great deal. While DIY will kits may seem like the best option, they tend to leave behind more problems than answers. Working with a solicitor to write your will is better than leaving your loved ones to turn to solicitors for a will dispute, which can take a long time to resolve in the courts.

What are the Risks of Dying Without a Will?

If a person dies without a will, then that is referred to as dying intestate. Accordingly, that person’s estate is distributed to beneficiaries according to intestacy rules. These rules are rigid and, often, don’t reflect what the testator would have wanted – they prioritise legal relationships (say, married partners or biological children) and don’t take into account other types of relationships, such as unmarried partners – occasionally referred to as common law partners, though this isn’t a legally recognised term – or stepchildren.

Dying intestate can slow down the process of sorting through your estate, leaving loved ones waiting for money that they may need to pay the mortgage or other bills, or pay for your funeral costs.

It also leaves your partner, children, and any other close friends or family members without that sense of closure. In many ways, a will can represent a final goodbye – it can pass on sentimental assets that hold a lot of meaning to family members, and feel like a fitting way to end this chapter of life together.

At what stage in life did you decide to write your will, or do you have questions about wills and estate planning? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.

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Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋