Blog

Why should I write a will?

Aug. 21, 2018, 12:57 p.m.

Did you know a whopping 60% of adults in the UK haven’t made out a will? That’s a lot of property, finances and social media accounts and even cryptocurrency left without a beneficiary! So, why should you write a will in the first place? Surely it’s common sense that everything will be left to your partner and children?

I’ll make a will later

On average, an individual expects to leave £227,000 in property and £74,000 in cash savings by the time they die. Just over 26% of people aged 35-54 say they plan to make a will later in life...but what if the unthinkable happens tomorrow? No one can know for sure when you’ll pass away. A will is just a way to make sure you’re prepared...and that your finances, assets and other personal information go to the right people.

I don’t have anything to leave in my will

We’ll start with the big one. If you have children, even if you don’t have any money or other assets, then you definitely need a will. A will lets you appoint a Guardian for your children if there is no surviving parent. If you have children and you don’t leave a will then the courts will decide who your children go to - so it might be someone who wouldn’t have been your first choice.

Some employers will pay out a ‘death in service’ benefit to a person of your choice. This is usually between two and four times your yearly salary. It’s crucial to name this person in your will so they receive the money.

A will can also cover personal possessions such as antiques and items of sentimental value such as photo albums. If you want to leave a certain item to a specific person, then a will is a fantastic way to ensure they get it!

The chances are, you have a social media account or two. Many of these channels already offer the option to pick someone to manage your social media accounts when you die. For example, Facebook’s Legacy Contact allows you to choose a friend or family member to run your account after you pass. They can memorialize your profile so people can post memories and condolences on your wall.

Who inherits if I don’t have a will?

If you don’t have a will this is called dying intestate. This means either your married or civil partner, and in some cases close relatives, can inherit your property, lump sums and any other assets. Children will only inherit under the rules of intestacy if there is no surviving married or civil partner. So if you’re planning to leave something to your children as well, then it’s essential you make a will.

Don’t forget you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Are electronic wills the future?
Stephanie Kerr, solicitor in the disputes and litigation team for Napthens Solicitors (and one of our wonderful vendors!) talks to huunuu about the possibility of electronic wills...
The Difficult Conversation About Wills
“When the destiny of a great fortune is at stake, man’s greed spreads like a poison in the bloodstream. Uncles, nephews, cousins, in-laws of increasingly tenuous connections. The old woman’s most dist...
Make sure your estate is in safe hands
Stephanie Kerr, a solicitor from the disputes and litigation team at Napthens Solicitors, discusses how an executor should deal with an estate and what to do if you face problems....
Knowledge is power: Talking about death
We all know that there is a stigma around talking about death. It’s almost as if we believe by facing up to the fact, we may jinx ourselves and death may come earlier. In all honesty, it is a difficul...
We’re launching huunuu Legal!
We’re excited to announce the launch of huunuu Legal - your portal for everything from Will Writing to keeping all of your digital assets in one place....
What happens if I don't write a Will?
There are some situations in life where we may wonder “what if?” As we celebrate the launch of our online Will service, we thought we’d show you exactly what could happen if you don’t have a will for ...
Welcome to huunuu legal!
Our trusted legal experts are here to help you organise your affairs, to give you peace of mind that your life and death will be managed in the way you choose. huunuu Legal has been created by soli...
Donating your body to science
So, how do you go about donating your body to science and how do we make sure our loved ones will know our decision?...
What happens to my pets if I die?
I have three cats and recently one of the team asked me what would happen to them if I die tomorrow… and the answer is I don't know!...
What songs do I play at a baby’s funeral?
I was asked this question recently and it reinforced to me why huunuu exists and how we can help people in impossible situations....