1. Not Updating the Will
Why it’s a mistake: Life changes such as marriages, divorces, new children, deaths, or asset changes can all make your Will outdated or even invalid.
Fix: Review your Will every 2–3 years or following major life events.________________________________________
2. Being Too Vague or Informal
Why it’s a mistake: Saying things like “I want my daughter to have the house” without clear legal structure or definitions can cause confusion, disputes or even make parts of the Will unenforceable.
Fix: Use clear legal language and provide full names, addresses and exact asset details where possible.________________________________________
3. Failing to Appoint the Appropriate Executor
Why it’s a mistake: Choosing someone unreliable, too emotionally involved, or without financial/legal knowledge can cause delays and mismanagement.
Fix: Choose a responsible, impartial executor and name an alternate.________________________________________
4. Ignoring Digital Assets or Sentimental Items
Why it’s a mistake: Online accounts, crypto wallets, family photos and keepsakes often get overlooked, yet they matter to your legacy and loved ones.
Fix: Include instructions for access to digital assets and specify who receives sentimental items.________________________________________
5. Not Signing the Will Correctly
Why it’s a mistake: If not properly signed and witnessed according to your country’s legal requirements, your Will may be considered invalid.
Fix: Follow your jurisdiction’s rules exactly as follows:• Signed by you in the presence of two independent adult witnesses.
• Witnesses must sign in your presence (and must not be beneficiaries).
6. Not Making a Will in the First Place
Why it’s a mistake: You die intestate (without a will) which can leave stress for your family and grossly delay probate.
Fix: arrange a Will, which with the right advisors is simply achieved.7. Not Ensuring your Assets are Protected from Care Fees or Leaving out Children from Prior Relationships.
Why it’s a mistake: Since the government has now removed the cap on care fees, if you or your partner go into care, the whole value of your estate could be taken up by care fees.
Fix: A Property Trust Will combined with putting the home into ‘tenancy in common’.Please leave your details, we will contact you and arrange, a review of what you can do to improve what you may be able to leave in inheritance.
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Special Value for April 2025
Wills And Trusts
Lasting Powers of Attorney
Please note you will need a LPA for Wealth and a LPA for Finance which means for a husband and wife you will need 4 LPAs
For LPAs there is an additional government registration fee of £82 per power or £41 per power if you earn under £12,000 per annum.
Probate Assist