Will writing

You can include whatever you want within your will as long as you own it at the time of your death. The main problems occur when someone doesn't have one. Funeral wishes and provisions for pets are often included within the legal documents but don't need to be as these can be expressed verbally (we need to talk about death more) during your lifetime or through a memorandum of wishes. Jointly owned assets automatically pass to the person you own them jointly with so reference within the will is pointless, it is however vital to understand what you own, how you own it and how it will be distributed on your deminse. Protection policies such as life insurance, now this is something you don't want in your will, seek professional advice to ensure your policies are paid into trust and fall outside of your will and estate. You can't after your die explain your decisions. Certainly don't leave £5 to 'Dave' down the pub because, after a few shandies, he may say you missed a few zeros off that 5!

Hi Emma,

I'm no expert on wills, but if you need info on Lasting Powers of Attorney which are the equivalent whilst you are alive I'm your man!

In line with the topic: Do not put your Will in a safe deposit box, it will require probate to open and your Will to require probate. Catch 22.