Once you have drawn up your Assets and liabilities checklist, you then need to:
2. Decide ‘who gets what’
Think about whom you would like to benefit from your will - these are your ‘beneficiaries’. They may include family and friends and causes dear to you. Write down their names and addresses.
Decide on the type of gift you would like to make to each, and the amount.
3. Choose your executors
Executors are people you appoint to carry out the instructions in your will and administer your
estate.
Executors can be friends, family members and/or professionals. They can also be beneficiaries
of the will.
Four executors is the maximum and it’s sensible to have at least two.
Often, people appoint one family member and one professional. The professional may charge a
fee which will be deducted from your estate.
4. Solicitors and witnesses
If you don’t know a solicitor, ask a friend to recommend one or ask The Law Society for advice
www.lawsociety.org.uk/choosingandusing.law
Visit your chosen solicitor with your checklist of assets and liabilities and full list of your chosen beneficiaries. Please complete our confidential pledge form if you are planning to leave a gift to the Woodland Trust.
5. Keep your will safe
Once you have drawn up your will - keep it safe! You can register your will with the Central Will Register for a fee of £15.00. Find out more at
www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms
Don’t forget to tell your executors where you original will is kept.
Your solicitor will often offer to keep the original will, with a copy for you to keep at home.
Ways of giving...