What to do when you've written your will

A will is one of the most important documents that people write in their lifetime.

But once you’ve penned yours, don’t just sit back.

There are a number of things you should be aware of once you’ve written yours.

Store your will with a solicitor

You’ve written your will so make sure it’s secure. Many testators will choose to store their will with their solicitor to ensure its safety and action can be easily taken when the time comes.

It can also be easier to use the estate administration services of the solicitor who has stored your document.

The National Will Register

Once the will’s location has been finalised, it should be registered with The National Will Register.

In a recent survey, two-thirds of UK adults would not know where to find their parent’s wills or if they’d made one at all.

That means that two in three people that come to deal with their parent’s estate after passing will be reliant on what they find in the home such as any correspondence found, which can be an arduous task.

By registering the will as above, it can be quickly located by conducting a certainty will search.

Speak to your loved ones about your will

Ensure your family knows that you have written a will and where they can find it.

You could choose to share elements of what is in the will with beneficiaries and loved ones so that there are no shocks when it is found.

Details of funeral arrangement preferences are also handy to have.

Create a folder

It is a useful idea to have documents in an easy-to-find folder – and explain where this is to your intended executor – which includes things like powers of attorney, deeds, contracts, funeral plans and other documentation which would be useful.

Ensure this is kept up to date for the best chance of your estate being easy and quick to administer.