Why you should make a will
You can make sure that your money and possessions are distributed according to your wishes should you die.
If you die without having made a will, your possessions, property and money might be distributed in a way that you may not have liked them to be. For example, if you are in a relationship but you are not married, you and your partner can't inherit possessions or money from each other without a will.
Similarly, if you and your partner aren't married and have a child or children together, by writing a will you can protect your children in the event of your death (or your partner's death, or both).
Making your will
Although you're allowed to write your will yourself, it's usually a good idea to use a lawyer as they can make sure it's legal and valid.
Sometimes wills can be complicated and Jersey has strict rules, so having a lawyer means you can get the right advice.
What to include in your will
You should include:
- how much money you have
- what property and possessions you have
- who you want your money, possessions and property to go to
- who you want to look after your children if they're under 18 years old at your death
- who you want to carry out your wishes and distribute your possessions according to your will (this person is called your executor)
Keeping your will up-to-date
If your circumstances change, eg if you move house, get married, divorced, separated or you have children, you should update your will.
It's a good idea to look at your will every few years to make sure it's still how you want it.
Where to keep your will
If a lawyer has made your will for you, they'll probably keep the original safe for you.
If you make your will yourself, you should make sure you keep it somewhere safe and tell someone where it is.
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