Where there’s a will… why can making your will feel so empowering?
As I head faster than I would like towards 50 I’m increasingly aware that I’m not getting any younger. In my line of work as a celebrant, it’s not easy to shy away from talking about death and my thoughts and beliefs about my mortality. Whilst in my head I still feel like my 21-year-old self I only need to look in the mirror to remind myself that I’m no longer in my carefree years, I’m only a birthday or two away from being eligible for a Saga holiday which is a sobering thought.
So, like many people in the UK making a will has always been in the back of my mind as a job I should do but if I’m honest I never really prioritised it. However, when I eventually became a homeowner and things changed and I wanted to make sure that my wishes were noted and in place for the future. Several years ago, my husband and I took the bull by the horns and had a mirror will written for us both, and hand on heart I’m so glad we did, I was surprised at how reassuring and secure it felt to have taken control of a situation I had felt powerless in and now we have a will that reflects our last wishes.
So why am I oversharing my mini mid-life crisis with you I hear you shout, well because my lovely colleague Chris Dudzinska at Last Wishes Funeral Services York reminded me last week that it’s Free Wills Month just click the link to find more information. Free Wills Month brings together a group of respected charities that offer people over the age of 55 the opportunity to have a simple will be written or updated free of charge; this is done in partnership with solicitors in selected locations across the UK. Don’t worry if you think you have missed the boat this month Free Will month will return in October.
So why is a will important?
Well in a nutshell writing your will enables you to choose what happens to your money, property, and treasured possessions when you die in addition it can also enable you to make savings on inheritance tax.
I spoke to a lady the other day who was in her 30s she felt that she didn’t think she’d need a will as she didn’t have anything of value to leave nor children or close family to leave it to. However, as we started to chat it became apparent, she had more assets than she realised and despite the fact she didn’t have a wide family to manage her estate she realised didn’t like the idea of a stranger organising or deciding on her behalf what happened to her estate. If you die and do not have a will, this is called dying intestate or intestacy. This means that the law will decide who gets what and how much. Making doesn’t have to be expensive a single will currently starts from around £150 for a couple you may want to do what I did and have a mirror your wills which can be an efficient way to keep the costs down.
Next time, we will explore further what you need to know about writing your will and why it’s so important if you have children to make a will.