The ongoing saga of Aretha Franklin’s estate raises two keys points that any person who is creating a Will should keep in the forefront of their mind; How do I make sure my Will is valid? and How do I make sure my Will is found?

It is common for a Will to state that all or part of estate is left to ‘my children’ or ‘such of my children who survive me’ but has this phrasing become old-fashioned? Does ‘my children’ accurately reflect the individuals that you wish to inherit from your estate or is this an example of the law failing to appreciate the modern family?

The main purpose of a Will is so you can choose who should inherit from your estate. Dealing with the affairs of a loved one who has died can be an incredibly difficult time and therefore to make this job as easy and as stress free as possible for those left behind, the best thing you can do is to ensure you have a Will in place.

Once you have put a Will in place, you’ll have completed a very important step in your life. So why and when should you review your Will? It’s generally a good idea to read through your Will every three or so years. However, there are some key circumstances where it’s vitally important to check that your wishes are up-to-date. This will ensure that your loved ones are still protected as you wish, and that they’re not left in a difficult position.

Welcoming a new generation into the family is a significant time. Whether you’re a Grandparent for the first time or not, the excitement can often be underwritten with thoughts about how best to gift something to your Grandchild to help them when you’ve gone.

“I’m a parent and have been told I should have a Will. But I don’t understand why it’s so important.” No one likes to think about it, but unfortunately, death is a fact of life. It’s going to happen to us all at some point. However, if you’re a parent and you don’t have a Will in place, then you’re at risk of leaving your family horribly exposed, particularly if you have a partner and are unmarried.

Making a Will can often seem an uncomfortable exercise. But it’s vitally important. It’s an excellent opportunity to review your estate as well as making sure those you hold dear are looked after. A Will offers you the choice and control in how your assets are dealt with. At the same time, importantly, it makes your wishes valid and binding.