to seek thoughts on what to put in my will in these circumstances?

[largeprintagathachristie]

I have an appointment to get my will sorted and I'm really a bit stuck. The circumstances are:

I have no children of my own
Not married
I'm in a reasonably new relationship with DP,. Together for four years, living together for two years. Well, not a new relationship, but not longstanding, if you know what I mean. Separate finances.

He has three teenage DC.

I have two much older siblings. Not really close to either due to circumstances I won't go into here and long-term geographical distance. Both are married and financially comfortable and likely to inherit substantially from their in-laws. If I went down the sibling route I'd like to give to one but not the other, which just seems inflammatory. But the thought of my racist SIL inheriting from me is really hard!

I have numerous nephews and nieces, some of whom are now having children of their own. The nephews and nieces don't really know me well, due to geographical distance.

There's something that's holding me back from naming DP outright which I'm struggling to articulate. Statistically he's not likely to outlive me, but if he did, not for long. Which would mean the money going to his children (and kind of to their Mum, who has been foul to me. No, I'm not the other woman.)

Step DC are lovely. They will inherit substantially from a grandparent.

DP and I broke up for a bit after year one on his instigation, and there's still part of me that's hurt by that, I've got visions of him moving on really fast! He's done his will and it all goes to his kids. Which I don't think is inappropriate. We don't have joint property. I'm living with him but pay rent, while my own flat is rented out.

Giving to charity is an attractive option.
So is naming a couple of close friends.

Thoughts would be really welcome. I'm reminding myself that I'll be dead by this stage, so I may be overthinking it!

@HomeHomeInTheRange

I’m nowhere near an expert on this, but I thought it was leaving a percentage instead of a fixed sum that often caused problems?

As you say, trustees are obliged to protect the interests of a charity, so if a will says (for example) 20% of the estate, then that’s what they go for, including sentimental items like jewellery or paintings or whatever that weren’t intended to be sold to ensure that 20% of their value goes to the charity. If leaving a percentage, I think a will has to be very clear what that includes.

Giving to charity is an attractive option.
So is naming a couple of close friends.

In your position I'd do this, if things change in the future you can always alter your Will.

I would divide between close friends, DP if he outlives you, and the rest to Save The Children charity.

If you feel differently in a year you can easily rewrite it.

Don't try and guess how you might feel in five years time, you can revise your will if anything changes. It's not a once-and-forever thing, it reflects how you feel now.