Why is it important to make sure that you’ve fully read and understood your will?
It is important to make sure that you have fully read and understood your will in England and Wales because it is a legal document that sets out your wishes for the distribution of your property after you pass away. If you do not understand your will, there is a risk that your estate may not be distributed in the way that you intended.
Even if your will was written by a solicitor or qualified will writer, you should still make sure that you have read and understand it. While it’s very likely that they will have taken the necessary steps to ensure that your will is valid and enforceable, it is still important for you to understand what it says and how your property will be distributed after your death. It is also possible that the solicitor or will writer may have made a mistake or misunderstood your wishes when drafting your will.
There are several reasons why it is important to read and understand your will:
To make sure that your will is valid: A will that is not valid will not be enforced by the courts. By reading and understanding your will, you can help to make sure that it is clear, unambiguous and will make sense to your executors.
To avoid disputes: If your will is not clear or if there are any ambiguities, it could lead to disputes among your beneficiaries. By reading and understanding your will, you can help to anticipate and avoid these disputes.
To make sure that it reflects your current wishes: Your circumstances may have changed since you made your will, so it is important to review it regularly to make sure that it still reflects your wishes.
We also recommend following these additional tips after drafting your will:
Read your will carefully and slowly and do not skip any parts.
Make sure that you understand the terms of your will, such as any conditions or restrictions that you have imposed.
If you do not understand any of the legal terminology, ask whoever drafted your will to explain it to you.
Make sure to double-check who your beneficiaries are and how your property will be distributed.
Share a copy of your will with your executors and make sure that they understand your wishes.
Keep a copy of your will in a safe place at home where you can easily access and read it, and store the original in secure, fire-resistance storage site away from your home, such as the National Will Archive.
Being diligent when drafting your will and following all the steps outlined above can help you to fully understand your will. This can help to ensure your wishes are successfully carried out by your executors after you pass away.
