Here is a description of the steps involved in making a will.
- Initial Consultation:
- Contact us to schedule an appointment with a solicitor. This can be in person or by phone. To book a phone consultation click on the button below
- During the consultation, we will discuss your assets, beneficiaries, and any specific wishes you have for your will.
- Review of Options:
- The solicitor will explain different types of wills (simple will, testamentary trust, etc.) and make recommendations to help you choose the one that best fits your needs.
- Discuss other estate planning tools like trusts, if applicable.
- Have your existing trusts reviewed and integrated into your estate plan (if applicable)
- Information Gathering:
- We will provide you with a questionnaire / checklist to gather detailed information about your assets (property, bank accounts, investments, etc.) and liabilities (debts, mortgages, etc.).
- Fill out the questionnaire accurately and thoroughly. This helps ensure your will reflects your wishes and covers all necessary details.
- Drafting the Will:
- We do this for you. Based on the information provided, we will draft a will for you for approval. This can be regarded as a ‘draft’ however it is created as a final will, so that if there are no amendments or further instructions it is capable of being signed and implemented when you receive it.
- This draft will include executors, beneficiaries, appointing guardians for minor children (if applicable), and distributing assets according to your wishes.
- Review and Revision:
- Review the will we send you. Discuss any changes or additions you wish to make.
- We will make necessary revisions to ensure the will accurately reflects your intentions and complies with legal requirements.
- Signing the Will:
- Come to the office to sign the final version of the will.
- If you cannot or do not wish to travel to our office, then we will send you will signing instructions that you can follow with two independent witnesses of your choice.
- Sign the will in the presence of witnesses (typically two) who must also sign to attest that you signed the will voluntarily and and that they saw you do it.
- Execution and Safekeeping:
- We will oversee the proper execution of the will, ensuring it meets all legal formalities.
- If you have signed yourself, we can check what the signed will looks like and let you know if you have done it correctly.
- You can discuss options for safekeeping the original will. We can keep it for you or you can take it away and store it yourself.
- When you sign at our office, we take scanned copies of your will. This means that certified copies of your will can be created at any time should that become necessary. Copies can be provided to trusted individuals (executor, family members) according to your preference.
- Regular Review:
- Periodically review your will, especially after major life events (births, deaths, divorces, sale of business etc.), to ensure it remains current and reflects your wishes.
- Let us know of any significant changes in your life circumstances that may require updates to your will.
