The future is never certain, which is why it is essential that you prepare by putting your assets in order.

Writing a will brings the peace of mind ofknowing that your final wishes will be fulfilled without confusion, ensuring that your finances will go to those that you care about the most. Making a will allows you to avoid unnecessary inheritance tax and really help out the beneficiaries closest to you. Furthermore, if you pass away without having written a will, it is up to the law to divide your estate, meaning it may be distributed in a manner that’s disagreeable to you.

Contrary to what you might expect, writing a will doesn’t have to be a complicated and confusing process – you can write it yourself, and legal advice is readily available from local solicitors and the Citizens Advice Bureau. They will be especially helpful should you require some of the more complicated factors ironing out. This may include sharing a property with someone who isn’t your husband, wife or civil partner.

In your will you should state who you want to benefit from your will, who should look after any children under 18, who is going to sort out your estate and carry out your wishes after your death (your executor) and what will happen if your beneficiaries die before you.

You can always alter your will in case you feel the need to make changes later on, which is why it is a good idea to review your will every two years. This keeps it fresh in your mind and ensures your assets will go exactly where you want them to go when you pass away.

Finally, it is important to keep your will safe. This could mean keeping it in a bank or with a solicitor, or just in a safe place at home with other important documents.