Where there's a Will...

D

dotti34

Nori Brick
Tackler
People don’t generally like talking about Wills, or make one, maybe because this means they have to face their own mortality – but instead they should think how much pressure they will take off their family at a very difficult time. It’s the last thing they can do for them. Do it – and then forget about it.

I have been researching a bit (well I asked Mr Google) and found that in the UK only 4 out of 10 adults have Wills – which means some 31 million adults (give or take a couple) do not have a Will. In Australia more than half the adult population don’t have one either.

Would be interesting to know how many of you have done the necessary that will make at least some thngs a bit easier for those you leave behind - and if not why not. If you have a Will do you update it now and then? When a friend of mine became a single mum of 5 small boys she made a Will in which she left her children in the care of a sister. The youngest of these is now 53! Yes, definitely time to update.
 
I always thought that if there was a Will, then seeking probate would be unnecessary.
But from what went on after I lost Ma tells me otherwise.
Ma left a Will…..but it had not been properly signed or witnessed….so it was only useful as lavvy paper….other than it gave me something of a laugh…..’you can tell that bar-steward J**** he is getting bu88er all’.

Dorothy, sorting out Ma’s affairs was tough…..and wouldn’t you think it would have taught me something?
But No…..I am one of those many folk who have yet to get my affairs in order.
Although, I suppose it would be straight forward as there is only one child to benefit.
Yes, it is to do with confronting our mortality…….you never think about it when you are young and when you get older, you think about it a lot.
 
Only last week Mrs taddy and I received our Power of Attorney documents, one each for property and financial affairs and one each for health and welfare; they would have been a minefield to fill in if our eldest daughter (who works for the government pension service), had not helped us out. I do realise that I am a numpty where computers and the like are concerned but even my daughter who works with such rules and regulations had to contact the Office of the Public Guardian (WHAT), by phone in order to make any sense of the gobbledegook and it took three months to sort. (Rant Over) wheres my Hobgoblin.
 
Quiz Question:
What is the thing that all people have a lifetime to do, but never do it?


Yes, your correct it’s making a will.

Must get pen to paper today!!
 
taddy said:
Aye well, plenty oh that in Yorkshire.
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Maybe not, them tight fisted bu88ers over the border are running round with plazzy bags to catch it all in & cart it off home! :D


And no, I've not done a will recently, I suppose I should do though as things change often in our lives without any prior warning & then it's to late.
 
Taddy that is a smart move and worth the effort. When my husband died I wanted to make sure that if ever I am incapacitated and can’t manage my finances I know these will be handled by two trustworthy people who have my best interests at heart and not some court-appointed person who I do not know, and who has no idea who I am, so I made sure I have an Enduring Power of Attorney in place.

However, when I expire this will expire with me – and then my Will takes over.
 
My sister’s husband passed away very suddenly (and I do mean suddenly - he was making a sandwich, collapsed and died, just like that, no pre-warning) and he had not got round to making a Will. He was quite fit, not that old, actually younger than my sister – and probably thought he had plenty of time to do this. He played the stock market a bit and left a portfolio of shares and investments, and, even though she was his wife, it took Alice months to get the legalities sorted and everything signed over to her. Okay, it kept her mind occupied at a very emotional time, and gave her something to do, but it was an occupation that she could have done without. She made certain that she had a Will in place to save her son the trauma that she had been through.
 
think a lot of this is really horses for courses. if you have something to actually leave then i agree with making a will. the other group is the ones living together who are not divorced with their previous wives and husbands still alive with kids from the previous marriages you may or may not have contact with along with those from your present relationship. this can get really nasty with some having more legal rights than others. its surprising how many come out of the woodwork if there is money around.
 
bit of useless information regarding the name of this thread. edward woodward actually made his film debut in the film of this name made in 1955.
 
Monkey H, information is seldom useless – often it is interesting, and that’s how we learn about things. I did not know that about Edward Woodward, now I do. Will I ever use that information, probably not – but I found it interesting.

It’s a pity that lately there seems to have been a shortage of interesting facts to discuss and subjects to debate on Accy Web.
 
dotti34 said:
Monkey H, information is seldom useless – often it is interesting, and that’s how we learn about things. I did not know that about Edward Woodward, now I do. Will I ever use that information, probably not – but I found it interesting.

It’s a pity that lately there seems to have been a shortage of interesting facts to discuss and subjects to debate on Accy Web.
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thanks. at least you know who edward woodward was. trouble for me is that i have no clue who snoop dogg and the rest are but i,m sure they,ll have a smart phone and their ideas of what a selfie is may be far different from mine.
 
monkey hanger said:
think a lot of this is really horses for courses. if you have something to actually leave then i agree with making a will. the other group is the ones living together who are not divorced with their previous wives and husbands still alive with kids from the previous marriages you may or may not have contact with along with those from your present relationship. this can get really nasty with some having more legal rights than others. its surprising how many come out of the woodwork if there is money around.
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This kind of situation where there are very complex family issues is one where a valid Will is essential to save lots of worry keep your assets out of the hands of the legal eagles.
My Ma’s estate was very modest, but I had ten months of stress and upset because one of my brothers who does not live in this country, put all kinds of barriers in my way.
He thought he knew better than me how to handle the winding up of the estate…..me being a weak and feeble woman (and if you believe that then I am shocked) who could be bamboozled by the process.
One of these no count sons still has not been in touch to find out where and when the funeral will be….but he was hot on contacting the solicitor to find out when he would get his divi up.
So am I bitter…..you’d better believe it.

If you have nothing to leave…or if you have only one child…..then it becomes less problematic…..but it is still a good idea to have an up to date valid will.
 
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i havent done one .... i know when my mum died she'd made one (i made the appointment for the solicitor to come to the house) she kicked me out of the house while she talked to him .. that took 18months 2 years to sort ... a cousin who died without leaving a will and no kids or wife ... that took 5 years to sort ...

yes i know i should do it ... and probably will do .. when i decide what to do ...
 
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