Writing a Will for Your Family and Planning for the future

It is not something that is nice to think about, but it is important to have your affairs in order so that your estate can be managed properly and to make what will be a difficult time easier for your loved ones with less confusion.

In this post I will offer a few tips on planning for the future, should the worst happen, that will hopefully prove to be useful.

Take out the right insurance

After the honeymoon phase of marriage or a relationship, and you’re possibly thinking of starting a family, you and your partner don’t want money to become a stress point for you. You need to consider the future, and also think about what you would do financially if the worst happened to one of you. Life insurance should definitely be at the top of your list of crucial insurance policies to take out. By taking out Life Insurance, you protect those that are financially dependent on you, and help prevent financial hardship for them should you pass away. Many Life Insurance policies require a medical examination, but there are also several types of no medical exam Life Insurance, whereby you don’t need one in order to take out a policy. When it comes to no exam life insurance, it’s a great option for younger couples starting out together, young families, and very busy people, who can then get their policy set up online and stress-free, without having to find the time to get an examination carried out. 

Why You Should create a Will & When?

First, it is important to understand the importance of creating a will. A will dictates how your money, possessions and property are managed when you die, which means that you get to decide how these will be distributed. This allows you to take care of your loved ones and can prevent confusion and complexities if you were to die without a will in place. Many people think that you do not need to think about a will until much later in life, but it is better to be safe than sorry and life can be unpredictable, so it is helpful to have one as an adult (especially if you are married and/or have kids).

Value Your Estate

It is important to value your estate when writing a will so that you know what you have to distribute. This could include the value of your home, savings, insurance, pension funds, investments, vehicles and jewellery. If you are thinking of an Equity release, some of the plans can be an inheritance, so you should speak to a specialist about it too. Obviously, debts are factored in as well so you need to get your assets considered too, as this affects your estate value.

Choose the Right People

Obviously, choosing the right people to leave your estate to is a tough decision and often one that requires a lot of thought and care (especially if you have a large family). Ultimately, this is your choice and there is no right or wrong answer.

Write Your Will

It is then a case of writing your will. You need to know who you want to benefit from your estate, a rough estimate of your estate, how you want the estate to be split and understand your inheritance tax obligations (if the value of your estate is above the £325,000 threshold). If your estate is simple, you will be able to draw up the final document yourself, but if it is more complex, then you can speak to a lawyer.

Keep it in a Safe Place

Obviously, a will is a very important document that you do not want to lose. This is why you need to keep it in a safe place and have both digital and hard copies available. Additionally, remember to update it when you have a change of circumstances, such as getting married (or divorced) or having a child.

It is not the nicest thing to think about, but you do need to plan for when you are no longer around and have life insurance and a will in place that will divide your estate as you wish.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.