Creating a Will is a vital step in securing your legacy and ensuring that your wishes are honored after you have passed away. However, even with the best of intentions, poorly planned or unclear wills can lead to disputes among families and beneficiaries causing stress, financial strain and fractured relationships.

Here are our top tips on how to help avoid Will disputes and maintain harmony amongst your loved ones;

1. Start with a clearly thought out plan

A well thought out estate plan goes beyond a simple Will. Consider trusts, joint ownership arrangements, tax implications and other estate planning aspects that can minimize ambiguity and potential conflicts.

2. Use a professional to draft your Will

Unfortunately, homemade or DIY wills are notorious when it comes to causing disagreements and often do not deal with the estate correctly. A Wills specialist will guide your through the process of creating a will carefully by;

• - Taking detailed notes about what you want to achieve
• - Ensuring your estate is structured in the most tax efficient way
• - Making suggestions as to how best provide for beneficiaries for example, if they are under the age of 18.
• - Advising on the implications of leaving family members out of Wills.
• - Ensure that the person making the Will has got fully mental capacity to do so and making a record of with file notes as to how this conclusion has been reached
• - Ensuring the Will has been correctly signed and executed
• - Advise on how the to store the will safely to ensure it can be found

3. Communicate openly with your family

All though it may feel slightly awkward or difficult to start with, discussing your wishes with family members and others who may be affected by your decisions could help to prepare them. This could avoid any shocks that may lead to disputes in the future.

If your loved ones understand why you have made the decisions you have, this transparency can help manage expectations and reduce feelings of unfairness.

4. Choose your Executors wisely

Your executors have a lot of responsibility in terms of winding up your estate and ensuring your wishes are followed. This can be a time consuming and complex role. It’s important that the executors you choose get along and can work together. They should also have good relationships with your chosen beneficiaries as well as other individuals appointed in your will such as guardians and trustees.

5. Keep your Will up to date

Life events such as marriages, divorces, births and deaths can significantly impact on your Will planning. Make sure your regularly update your Will to reflect these changes to ensure it remains relevant and accurate. An outdated will can be a major source of misunderstanding and contention amongst potential beneficiaries.

6. Store your Will securely but ensure it is easy to find

Having taken the important step to make a Will, it’s important that it can be found by your Executors in the future when it is needed. If you choose to store your Will yourself, you need to ensure it can’t be tampered with, damaged or lost. A professional can securely store your Will on your behalf and also register it with the National Wills Register to ensure it can always be found in the future.

If you would like to speak to a member of our friendly and professional team about your Will planning, please call 01522 500823 or email hello@beneficialfamilywills.co.uk