Before writing a will

What to gather first — so writing your will feels simpler, clearer, and less overwhelming.

Most people put off writing a will for the same reason they put off other life admin: it feels like a big, serious task with lots of decisions. The truth is, the hardest part is usually the prep — working out what you have, who matters, and what you’d want to happen.

This guide isn’t legal advice. It’s a calm checklist of what to think about and what to gather before you speak to a solicitor or use an online will service.

Start with the basics

• Decide what you want your will to cover Your money, your home, personal belongings, and any specific gifts you want to leave.
• Make a short list of the important people Partners, children, dependants, and anyone you want to include (or intentionally not include).
• Note your current situation Marriage, civil partnership, divorce, new relationships, or children can affect what you need.

List what you own

You don’t need perfect valuations. A simple overview is enough — the purpose is to make sure nothing is forgotten.

• Property Your home, whether you own it alone or jointly, and any other property.
• Money and savings Current accounts, savings accounts, ISAs, premium bonds.
• Investments Shares, funds, crypto holdings, investment platforms.
• Valuable belongings Jewellery, watches, art, sentimental items, collections.

List what you owe

Debts and liabilities matter because they can affect what’s left in your estate.

• Mortgage Lender and approximate balance.
• Loans Personal loans, car finance, student loans (if relevant).
• Credit cards Providers and whether there’s an outstanding balance.

Understand who gets what

It can help to think in two layers: the simple default (what you want most) and a backup plan (what happens if someone isn’t here).

• Main beneficiaries Who should receive the bulk of your estate?
• Specific gifts Are there particular items or amounts you want to leave to certain people?
• Backup beneficiaries If your first choice can’t inherit, who should receive it instead?

Choose your executors

Executors are the people responsible for carrying out your wishes. This doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be considered.

• Pick people you trust Often a partner, family member, close friend, or professional.
• Consider practicality Choose people who are organised and likely to be available.
• Think about backups A second executor can be helpful if circumstances change.

If you have children, decide on guardians

This is one of the most important reasons many parents write a will. It can feel emotional, but having it decided and written down brings real peace of mind.

• Choose guardians Who would care for your children if you and your partner weren’t able to?
• Think about day-to-day fit Values, lifestyle, location, and family support all matter.
• Talk to them first It’s best to ask, rather than assume.

Check what sits outside your will

Some things don’t automatically pass through a will, which can surprise people. It’s worth making a note of these so you can get advice if needed.

• Pensions Many pensions use nomination forms, not wills.
• Life insurance Some policies have named beneficiaries or trusts.
• Jointly owned property How it passes on can depend on how ownership is set up.

Write down any wishes you’d want known

A will handles legal distribution. Separate notes can help with the human side — the things your family might not know to ask about.

• Funeral wishes Burial or cremation, music, readings, or anything you feel strongly about.
• Personal messages Notes you’d like your family to receive.
• Important contacts Solicitor, accountant, financial adviser, employer, close friends.

Keeping everything in one place

Writing a will becomes far easier when your information is organised. If your family ever needs to act on your wishes, having a clear record of accounts, documents and contacts can remove a huge amount of stress.