It is devastating to lose someone you love. Families juggle unforeseen administrative duties alongside their grief, such as planning the burial, handling the estate, and managing funds. One document becomes essential in situations like these: the will. Read on to find out why making and safely securing your will really does matter.
Writing a Will
You may be considering drafting or revising your own will if you recently went through the shock of losing a loved one. Although it is a responsible and significant step, it is equally crucial to ensure the document is safely preserved and available when needed most.
Why It’s Not Enough to Just Write a Will
Many people believe that a will is final once it is written. However, wills can disappear for several reasons:
- No one is aware that they are kept in a filing cabinet, safe, or drawer.
- The family is left with a lawyer they can’t reach.
- During a house clearance, they may have been accidentally thrown away.
- After returning home, they get lost.
- Although they have been updated, outdated versions are still in use, which confuses.
While the family is grieving, the absence of a will may lead to legal issues, delays, and even disagreements. For a comprehensive UK-wide overview on making a will and planning your estate, see this government-supported guide on making a Will.
What Happens if No Will is Located?
In the absence of a formal will, the estate is typically administered in accordance with intestacy laws, which might not accurately represent the person’s true intentions.
This may result in:
- Money is going to family members the individual never meant to help
- If a couple wasn’t married or in a civil partnership, they were missing out.
- Family disputes
- Protracted delays in probate
- Higher legal expenses
If you’re trying to locate a loved one’s will, our Find a Will search service can help you search registered wills and contact solicitors on your behalf. Or, if someone dies without a will, UK intestacy rules determine who inherits, and you can read more about these rules and what they mean on this legal resource site.
The Importance of Will Storage
Safe storage is about ensuring your last wishes are carried out, not about safeguarding a piece of paper.
A will that is safely kept:
- Easily found when needed
- Lessens tension and uncertainty during a challenging period.
- Helps prevent disagreements or false presumptions
- Guarantees that executors can move swiftly
- Shields your family from needless expenses
- A will won’t be lost to theft, fire, water, or unintentional harm if it is stored professionally.
Learn more about how professional will storage works and why it’s worthwhile in our detailed guide to the Will Check & Store service.
In Conclusion
Your wishes and your legacy are all represented in a will. However, that voice can be lost if it is not stored correctly or if it is not located. Take the extra precaution of storing your will safely and making sure it can be retrieved when it matters most, if the recent death of a loved one has made you consider your own preparations.
