Page 8 | To think making a Will is pointless if yoyu have no assets?

FunPartyIdeas · 2026-08-27T15:27:16+00:00

Just that really. My husband and I have literally nothing so nothing to give away!!

OhNoooooooooooooooo · 27/08/2026 17:25

FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 17:24

@OhNoooooooooooooooo How do I pay if I have no money to do so? All wages go on rent and bills.

You have exactly 0p left at the end of the month?

You could save up for it you know.

OhNoooooooooooooooo · 27/08/2026 17:24

TorroFerney · 27/08/2026 17:00

My mum and father in law don’t have wills. They have a house and some savings but well under iht threshold and husband and I are both only children and their spouses are dead. So that’s a very simple estate so doesn’t seem worthwhile to me to have one, or at least not an issue to not have one.

You'll have to do all the paperwork to be the executor etc.

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FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 17:24

@OhNoooooooooooooooo How do I pay if I have no money to do so? All wages go on rent and bills.

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FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 17:23

@OhNoooooooooooooooo All furniture second hand so could just be chucked. Clothes - cheap so again, just chuck. No sentimental items I can think of.

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OhNoooooooooooooooo · 27/08/2026 17:22

FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 17:20

I don't want a funeral - too expensive!

Well you'll have to be disposed of in some way.... They can't just leave you to rot I'm afraid.

Best to make your preferences known, and pay in advance?

OhNoooooooooooooooo · 27/08/2026 17:21

Don't you have clothes, or sentimental items,or furniture?

Havanananana · 27/08/2026 17:21

TorroFerney · 27/08/2026 17:00

My mum and father in law don’t have wills. They have a house and some savings but well under iht threshold and husband and I are both only children and their spouses are dead. So that’s a very simple estate so doesn’t seem worthwhile to me to have one, or at least not an issue to not have one.

If they had wills, these would at the very least identify who should be the Executor of their estate - it is not automatic and takes far more hassle to organise than writing a simple will takes.

Without a will being in place you would need to apply for a Grant of Letters of Administration in order to wrap up the deceased's affairs and distribute the estate according to the rules of intestacy - which you would be doing while at the same time presumably grieving over their death. A will also makes it easier to administer the estate, particularly as an Administrator (rather than an Executor who follows the instruction in the will) needs to be 100% certain that there are no beneficiaries such as children from previous relationships that the Administrator might not be aware of. A will that is explicit about who should inherit avoids this.

For the cost of getting a will written by a solicitor (£250 or so) why would you not encourage your respective parents to do so.

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FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 17:20

I don't want a funeral - too expensive!

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FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 17:20

@Edgelands My eldest would happily do that.

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FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 17:19

@OnlyUsername Is it free to do so?

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OnlyUsername · 27/08/2026 17:01

Why would you want to make the process longer by making your son apply for Letters of Administration to gain the right to deal with your accounts when your will can do that for him in advance?

Edgelands · 27/08/2026 17:01

FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 16:46

@Edgelands Adult children, a car worth not very much at all, no jewellery of any value.

But every single belonging, whether it's a car, ring, or the trophy you won for crazy gold aged eight, still needs to go somewhere when you die, whether that's to one of your children or a charity shop or whatever! Someone needs to close your bank accounts etc.

TorroFerney · 27/08/2026 17:00

My mum and father in law don’t have wills. They have a house and some savings but well under iht threshold and husband and I are both only children and their spouses are dead. So that’s a very simple estate so doesn’t seem worthwhile to me to have one, or at least not an issue to not have one.

UltimateSloth · 27/08/2026 16:59

My dad died without a will and it was fine. And he did have a house. I just followed the intestacy rules on the government website.

As for funerals, you don't need a will to leave your written or verbal opinion on that if you wish. Sometimes the will isn't even read until after the funeral.

Carryitjoyfully · 27/08/2026 16:56

Even if you don't have any jewellery of any value, your children may later decide they would like a keepsake. Say now how you want bits and pieces divided. Even if it is as simple as "I'd like you to choose a jumper/book/wooden spoon each and give the rest away as you see fit". It really helps when the time comes to know that that was actually what you wanted.

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FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 16:55

@Any1ForTennis My daughter would have our wedding rings and my sons are more than happy with that (my husband is their stepdad). They are worth nothing money-wise.
I am sure my eldest would be happy to sort the practicalities as he has that sort of calm and level head.

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MojoMoon · 27/08/2026 16:53

Just do a free template from the internet. Mirror will between you and your husband and then to children

It makes the admin side of death so much easier so see it as an act of love towards your family that you are making it as easy as possible for them.
They'll need to close bank accounts, clear your rental, inform pensions etc. it is much much easier if they have a will as they can show they have the right to do so.

So why not? You can do it for free and it makes their lives easier.

Any1ForTennis · 27/08/2026 16:52

Presumably you will have bank accounts that need closed, someone will need to cancel your tenancy, gas/electric, netflix, return you car, etc.

It's much easier to have a named Executor otherwise the people sorting out your stuff will find it much more difficult.

If you have kids and or grandkids, they'll have to squabble over who gets your wedding rings etc, much kinder to split things fairly in your will.

summater · 27/08/2026 16:52

My dad didn't have a will and it was fine, he lived in rented accommodation and just had some savings which were divided between me and my brother. One of your adult children will be the administrator like I was.

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FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 16:50

@Quine0nline Definitely cremation as cheapest - my kids know about that and are both wealthy in their own right. We don't have an estate of any description.

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NotAnotherScarf · 27/08/2026 16:49

But you have clothes, books etc...people can be bloody ridiculous when it comes to inheritance. Just stay on here for a fortnight

Plus a simple will makes probate (and trust me on this). So much easier for those left behind... everyone even if they have nothing at all has to go through probate.

OnlyUsername · 27/08/2026 16:49

You need to appoint an executor ideally to close your bank accounts and utilities and such.

Quine0nline · 27/08/2026 16:48

Burial, cremation? Who will deal with the estate - even if you don't have a house or anything that you want to give to any particular person or charity. Thinking of future situation.

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FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 16:47

@Octavia64 Private rental.

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FunPartyIdeas · 27/08/2026 16:46

@Edgelands Adult children, a car worth not very much at all, no jewellery of any value.

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