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What information do I need?

Your assets

Details of everything you own including property, cars, personal valuables, stocks and shares, bank accounts, insurance policies, businesses and pension entitlements.

Who do you want to inherit?

• Who do you want to leave these assets to?
• How do you want to divide your property between your family, friends and charities?
• Do you want to impose any conditions? For example, that a person should reach a particular age before they are paid any money you leave them.
• Do you want to leave anything to charity?

Beneficiary details

We will need to know the name, address and status of your proposed beneficiaries and their ages if under 18.

We will also need information about your family and anyone dependent on you even if you don’t want to mention them in your Will. People who are dependent on you but not adequately provided for in your Will can ask the courts to review it. We can advise you and help you to avoid any legal problems.

Bequests and Legacies

You may want to leave certain items to friends and family, or to leave a sum of money to a person or organisation.

We will need an accurate description of the items and full details of the proposed recipients.

Guardians

If you have any children who may still be under 18 when you die, you should appoint someone to act as their legal guardian. A guardian would normally look after the children on a day-to-day basis and make important decisions about their education, medical treatment and general welfare.

Executors

These are the people you choose to deal with your estate after your death. We will need to know the name and address of the proposed executors.

Executors can be beneficiaries under your Will and many people choose their spouse, civil partner or children to act. They are usually family members or friends. In some cases you may need independent professional executors and Metcalfe David Eyres can act as executor of your Will. This can avoid the costs and inconvenience of replacing an individual if they fall ill or die. Acting with a family member it can provide an independent and impartial voice to the process of winding up an estate.

You should ask your executors whether they are happy to take on this duty as there can be long-term responsibilities particularly if you include a trust in your Will. It makes sense to appoint someone a good bit younger than you.

Funeral Wishes

If you have any particular wishes for your funeral you can include them in your Will. For example, do you want to be buried or cremated? Are you an organ donor? It is a good idea to discuss your wishes with your family, and to register on the organ-donor register and carry an organ-donor card.