Writing a Will is something that everyone should do, but it can be difficult to know who you should remember in your Will. We’ve taken the time to lay out some of the different groups of people that you might consider remembering in your Will; and why you might want to leave them something.
Spouse, Partner and Children
The most obvious people to remember in your Will are your immediate family – your spouse or life partner are the most likely to inherit the bulk of your Will, but you may also consider leaving some of your estate to your children, depending on their ages. If your spouse or partner passes away before you, then you are more likely to leave the bulk of your estate to your children.
Wider Family
Though most of your estate is settled on your immediate family, you may have some wider family that you may want to benefit from your Will. These could be brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces or even cousins. Depending on the size of your estate, how close you are with your wider family and their own situations; you might find that not only can your immediate family be well provided for, but your wider family as well.
Charities, Sports Teams, Community Groups
It is becoming more and more common for people to remember causes and organisations in their Wills. This can include charities related to a long term illness that you or someone close to you has suffered from. Or maybe charities that you have worked with throughout your life and want to continue supporting after death. Charities such as the RNLI, Macmillan Nurses, British Heart Foundation, Royal British Legion, and Great Ormond Street Hospital; are just a few examples of those that can benefit from a legacy in a Will.
You are not limited to just supporting these types of charities though. You can leave money to Amateur Dramatics Societies, Community Groups, and even local sports teams to help them continue even after you are no longer there to support them.
Servants, Staff and Help
Though most of us don’t have servants, a housekeeper, companion or private secretary to remember in our Wills; there are people that you may want to consider adding to your Will. These can include home helpers that have dedicated a lot of time to helping you later on in life. Of course, there are those out there with larger estates, and there are still nannies, housekeepers, tutors, and butlers that you may think of remembering when you write your Will.
Close Friends
Finally, you may want to consider remembering close friends in your Will. When it comes to leaving something for people in your Will, it doesn’t necessarily have to be money that you bequeath. You can leave keepsakes or sentimental items that you think friends or even family might appreciate or remember you by. If you have no family to leave your estate to, then close friends are the next best thing.
Need help writing your Will? Contact our Will Writing experts today to see how they can help you put your affairs in order.
