Make a Will
Your local will writing experts
With years of experience, we’re here to give you our best advice and help you through the process of making your will.
Make a Will
With years of experience, we’re here to give
you our best advice and help you through
the process of making your will.
Writing Your will
A will is a legal document which outlines what should happen to a persons’ estate after the event of their death. It shows exactly how the estate should be divided up.
Before you begin to make a Will, you should think of how you would like your property to be distributed and how you wish your dependants to be provided for.
Not only will forward planning before writing your Will ensure that your wishes are carried out to your specific instructions, it can also avoid a lot of unnecessary heartache and additional costs for your family should you die without a Will and need an intestate lawyer.
How To Make a Will
The process of making a will can seem daunting and put a lot of people off, but we ensure you that it can be much more straightforward than a lot of people realise.
To help you understand exactly what to expect when it comes to making your will, we will walk you through the entire process in the easiest way possible.
1. The Importance of Having a Will
Before delving into the specifics of making a Will, it’s important to talk understand why having one is necessary. A Will allows you to dictate how your assets will be distributed after your passing, ensuring that your loved ones are provided for and your wishes are honoured.
Without a will, your estate may be subject to intestacy laws, potentially leading to disputes and complications among family members.
2. Gather Information
When starting to write your will, the easiest way to do so is to start by gathering essential information about your assets, including properties, bank accounts, investments, and personal belongings. Make a list of potential beneficiaries, including family members, friends, and charitable organizations.
Consider any specific instructions you might want to include when it comes time to write your Will, such as guardianship arrangements for minor children or provisions for pets.
3. Consult a Solicitor Near You
While it’s possible to create a will using online templates or a DIY kit, seeking advice from a qualified solicitor near you is highly recommended. A solicitor can offer expert guidance tailored to your individual circumstances, ensuring that your will complies with legal requirements and accurately reflects your intentions.
They can also provide valuable insight into estate planning strategies to minimize tax liabilities and maximize the benefits for your beneficiaries. Seeking expert advice will make the process of writing a Will much easier on your behalf and is what we highly recommend for everyone that has no experience as a practicing solicitor.
4. Drafting Your Will
Working closely with your solicitor, they will help you draft a clear and comprehensive Will that covers all aspects of your estate. This includes identifying specific assets and their intended recipients, specifying any conditions or restrictions, and appointing an executor to administer your estate.
Your solicitor will help you navigate complex legal language and anticipate potential challenges to ensure that your will is watertight and enforceable.
5. Review and Revise
Reminder: A Will should not be a one-time document but rather a living document that evolves with your life circumstances.
Regularly review your Will, especially after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, or the acquisition of new assets. Make any necessary revisions to reflect changes in your wishes or circumstances, ensuring that your Will remains relevant and up-to-date.
6. Finalising and Executing Your Will
Once your Will is drafted, it must be properly executed to be legally valid. This typically involves signing the document in the presence of witnesses who are not beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries.
Your solicitor will guide you through the execution process, ensuring that all legal formalities are met to prevent challenges to the validity of your Will in the future.
7. How to Store Your Will
Finally, once you have made your Will, it is essential to store it safely to prevent loss, damage, or tampering.
Consider storing the original document in a secure location, such as a safe deposit box or with your solicitor, and provide copies to trusted individuals, such as your executor or a close family member. Inform your loved ones of the whereabouts of your will and any instructions for accessing it upon your passing.
Conclusion
By following these steps and seeking professional guidance from a solicitor, you can create a Will that provides clarity, security, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Don’t wait until it’s too late – start the process of making your Will today to ensure that your legacy is protected according to your wishes.
Writing Your will
A will is a legal document which outlines what should happen to a persons’ estate after the event of their death. It shows exactly how the estate should be divided up.
Before you begin to make a Will, you should think of how you would like your property to be distributed and how you wish your dependants to be provided for.
Not only will forward planning before writing your Will ensure that your wishes are carried out to your specific instructions, it can also avoid a lot of unnecessary heartache and additional costs for your family should you die without a Will and need an intestate lawyer.
How to Make a Will
The process of making a will can seem daunting and put a lot of people off, but we ensure you that it can be much more straightforward than a lot of people realise.
To help you understand exactly what to expect when it comes to making your will, we will walk you through the entire process in the easiest way possible.
1. The Importance of Having a Will
Before delving into the specifics of making a Will, it’s important to talk understand why having one is necessary. A Will allows you to dictate how your assets will be distributed after your passing, ensuring that your loved ones are provided for and your wishes are honoured.
Without a will, your estate may be subject to intestacy laws, potentially leading to disputes and complications among family members.
2. Gather Information
When starting to write your will, the easiest way to do so is to start by gathering essential information about your assets, including properties, bank accounts, investments, and personal belongings. Make a list of potential beneficiaries, including family members, friends, and charitable organizations.
Consider any specific instructions you might want to include when it comes time to write your Will, such as guardianship arrangements for minor children or provisions for pets.
3. Consult a Solicitor Near You
While it’s possible to create a will using online templates or a DIY kit, seeking advice from a qualified solicitor near you is highly recommended. A solicitor can offer expert guidance tailored to your individual circumstances, ensuring that your will complies with legal requirements and accurately reflects your intentions.
They can also provide valuable insight into estate planning strategies to minimize tax liabilities and maximize the benefits for your beneficiaries. Seeking expert advice will make the process of writing a Will much easier on your behalf and is what we highly recommend for everyone that has no experience as a practicing solicitor.
4. Drafting Your Will
Working closely with your solicitor, they will help you draft a clear and comprehensive Will that covers all aspects of your estate. This includes identifying specific assets and their intended recipients, specifying any conditions or restrictions, and appointing an executor to administer your estate.
Your solicitor will help you navigate complex legal language and anticipate potential challenges to ensure that your will is watertight and enforceable.
5. Review and Revise
Reminder: A Will should not be a one-time document but rather a living document that evolves with your life circumstances.
Regularly review your Will, especially after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, or the acquisition of new assets. Make any necessary revisions to reflect changes in your wishes or circumstances, ensuring that your Will remains relevant and up-to-date.
6. Finalising and Executing Your Will
Once your Will is drafted, it must be properly executed to be legally valid. This typically involves signing the document in the presence of witnesses who are not beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries.
Your solicitor will guide you through the execution process, ensuring that all legal formalities are met to prevent challenges to the validity of your Will in the future.
7. How to Store Your Will
Finally, once you have made your Will, it is essential to store it safely to prevent loss, damage, or tampering.
Consider storing the original document in a secure location, such as a safe deposit box or with your solicitor, and provide copies to trusted individuals, such as your executor or a close family member. Inform your loved ones of the whereabouts of your will and any instructions for accessing it upon your passing.
Conclusion
By following these steps and seeking professional guidance from a solicitor, you can create a Will that provides clarity, security, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Don’t wait until it’s too late – start the process of making your Will today to ensure that your legacy is protected according to your wishes.
Free Will Service
We’ve partnered with Cancer Research UK to provide a telephone Will-writing service that meets your needs and is free to people living in Northern Ireland who need to create a simple Will.
You can now make a will for free with the help of Cancer Research UK.
Please check the Cancer Research UK Free Will Service Terms and Conditions for eligibility to use their Free Will Service.
Start Making Your Will Now
You can get started on making a will by using the form below, and a member from our Wills and Estates team will call you to answer any questions you may have and discuss your will in detail.
See below to get a will written for free with the help of Cancer Research UK.
Free Will Service
We’ve partnered with Cancer Research UK to provide a telephone Will-writing service that meets your needs and is free to people living in Northern Ireland who need to create a simple Will.
You can now make a will for free with the help of Cancer Research UK.
Please check the Cancer Research UK Free Will Service Terms and Conditions for eligibility to use their Free Will Service.
Start Making Your Will Now
You can get started on making a will by using the form below, and a member from our Wills and Estates team will call you to answer any questions you may have and discuss your will in detail.
See below to get a will written for free with the help of Cancer Research UK.
Client Testimonial
“My family have used Hunt Solicitors for over 20 years in all areas of legal advice and couldn’t recommend them highly enough. Highly professional and all phone calls and emails are answered promptly.”
FAQS
Frequently asked questions
1. Why is it important to make a will in Northern Ireland?
Making a will is crucial as it ensures that your wishes are clearly documented and legally recognised after your death. Without a will, your estate will be distributed according to the rules of Intestacy, which may not align with your personal wishes. A will also allows you to appoint Executors, who are the people who would you trust most to carry out the administration of your Estate. You can also note your wishes for your preferred guardians for minor children, specify funeral arrangements, and make specific bequests to loved ones and charities. Hunt Solicitors can guide you through the process, ensuring your will is comprehensive and legally sound.
2. What happens if I die without a will in Northern Ireland?
If you die without a will, your estate will be distributed according to the rules of Intestacy in Northern Ireland. This means your assets may be divided among your relatives in a way that might not reflect your wishes. For example, your spouse may not inherit everything, and unmarried partners or close friends may receive nothing. To avoid this, it’s essential to make a will that clearly outlines your intentions. Hunt Solicitors can help you create a will that protects your loved ones and ensures your estate is distributed as you desire.
3. Can I update or change my will after it has been made?
Yes, you can update or change your will at any time, provided you are mentally capable of doing so. Changes can be made by creating a codicil, which is an addition to your existing will, or by drafting a new will altogether. It is important to review your will regularly, especially after significant life events such as marriage, as marriage, in most cases, will invalidate an existing will, the birth of a child, or the purchase of a property. Hunt Solicitors can assist you in making any necessary changes to ensure your will remains up-to-date and reflective of your current wishes.
4. What should I include in my will?
Your will should include several key elements:
- Appointment of executors: Individuals who will manage your estate
- according to your wishes.
- Distribution of assets: Details on how you want your property, money, and possessions to be distributed.
- Guardianship: If you have minor children, you should appoint guardians for their care.
- Specific bequests: Any specific gifts or donations you wish to make to individuals or charities.
- Funeral arrangements: Any specific wishes regarding your funeral or burial. Hunt Solicitors will help you ensure that all necessary details are covered and that your will is legally valid.
5. How much does it cost to make a will with Hunt Solicitors?
The cost of making a will can vary depending on the complexity of your estate and your specific requirements. At Hunt Solicitors, we offer a transparent fee structure and will provide you with a clear estimate of costs during your initial consultation. We aim to make the process of drafting a will straightforward and affordable, giving you peace of mind that your affairs are in order. Our team is here to guide you through each step and ensure your will reflects your wishes accurately.
These FAQs should provide clear and useful information for clients considering making a will in Northern Ireland.
Estate Planning
- What is Estate Planning?
To simplify, Estate Planning is a combination of steps taken during your lifetime to make your affairs as straightforward as possible for your loved ones in the event of death or incapacity. Making a Will is a vital part of your Estate Planning however you may find that given the nature and extent of your assets more detailed and structured Estate Planning may be necessary to protect your assets during your lifetime and on death. These can include:
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People our solicitors have helped
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Our People
Our Will Writing Specialists
When it comes to writing wills, we have a highly experienced team who are always ready to give you the guidance you need.
Joshua McKee
Manager of Conveyancing Department
Niamh Hazard
Eimhear Bell
Our People
Our Will Writing Specialists
When it comes to writing wills, we have a highly experienced team who are always ready to give you the guidance you need.
Joshua McKee
Manager of Conveyancing Department
Niamh Hazard