Making a will

[GipsyDanger]

Just looking for general advise. Me and dh have recently had ds. We do not have any type of will in place. Is the best solution to use a solicitor or can you buy those "will" things in whsmith. We are in Scotland and in our late 20s so hopwful lay won't be needing it for many many years but I've heard about how everything goes to the government of you don't have one. Do dh and I need separate wills or do we have a combined one?

[specialsubject]

you have 'mirror' wills, one each.

you also need guardianship arrangements if (really hope not) both of you die before your kid is independent.

[FlaviaAnsell]

I don't know about Scotland, but in England your property only goes to the Crown if no heirs can be identified. Again in England, there is a law of intestacy, which governs what happens if someone has not made a will.

As specialsubject said, you need to think about who you'd want to be your ds's guardian, should the worst happen. You should also think about taking out life insurance, if you haven't already.

You should get advice from someone who knows about the law in Scotland.

[GipsyDanger]

Thanks will do. It's not a nice subject but these things need to be put in place and I've been meaning to do it for years. No more procrastinating!

[Rangirl]

Law of intestate would apply Unless you are very wealthy it would all go to DH apart from legal rights Main reason for making a will is it is easier to wind up estate And wills would cover what happens if both of you die eg money in trust for kids otherwise they inherit at 16 Who is to be executors and guardians
Make mirror wills through solicitor