No Will? The Family Conversation to Have This Weekend

Plenty of people mean to make a will and never do. Life is busy and the subject feels heavy. If that is you, start smaller than a will. Start with a conversation.

Why it matters. When someone dies without a will, the law decides who inherits and the process can take longer. A will lets you choose. Even a rough plan, written down and shared, reduces confusion and arguments.

Pick a calm moment. A weekend morning works better than a stressful evening. Tell the people you are talking to that you are not unwell, you are being organised.

Cover five things:

- Who you would want to look after things if you could not - Who should be told first - Where your important papers are kept - What matters most to you, from a family heirloom to a message - Whether you have a will, and if not, a date to start one

Write it down straight away. One page is enough: names, where things are, and what you decided. Do not wait for it to be perfect.

Then book the will. An attorney can draw one up. Put a date in your calendar before you leave the conversation.

Tell one person where the list is. The list only helps if somebody can find it.

Revisit it. Life changes with a new baby, a divorce, a house or a business. A yearly reminder keeps it true.

MyLegacyLivesOn gives you a place for the list, your next of kin and your own story, and a free readiness check that tells you where your family would be stuck today. Our short video on this subject is shown below the post.

Start with ten minutes. Take the free 2-minute readiness check to see where your family would be stuck today, or create a free account and begin your list.

General information, not legal advice. This is a planning summary, not a legal document. Bring it to a qualified estate lawyer to formalize.