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Writing an urgent will - executor question

29 replies

bastardkitty · 04/06/2025 06:19

I need to write a will at the earliest opportunity (within a week) due to a rapidly deteriorating health situation. I am single with 2 adult children. The youngest lives at home.

I own my house outright (value around £260k) and there are some modest savings - under £50k. My work will pay a similar amount of death in service benefit. I want to leave everything to my children in a 50/50 split. I know this would be the case if I die intestate, or at least I believe this to be the case.

I want to make provision in the will for the young adult DC to have the option to stay in the family home without paying rent/costs except bills, for up to 3 years after my death before the house has to be sold. Is this a straightforward thing to do or very complicated? My older DC owns their own home. There is a gap in ages and life stages.

I am unsure whether to make my 2 DCs the executors of the will. My older DC would likely take a lead and the younger one wouldn't engage
I also have 2 trusted friends who will act as executors for me. Please could you comment on the wisdom of these 2 options? I wouldn't want the younger DC to be placed under any pressure to sell the house quickly and I'm aware my older child will have to wait for their main inheritance. Finally, do I need to go see a solicitor to do this or can I use a will-writing service because it's straightforward?

Thanks in advance if you can offer guidance. I need to move fast, unfortunately, so just trying to save time around the key decisions.

OP posts:
pencilcaseandcabbage · 04/06/2025 09:28

I'm so sorry you are in this situation. I would also ask your friends if they would be executors in the first instance. Solicitors can be expensive and slow, but if you get a decent quote, they would be my second choice. Your DCs will need to support each other and I would worry that involving them in the will/finances, particularly when there may be a conflict of interest could cause issues between them.

bastardkitty · 04/06/2025 21:14

You've all helped me more than you know. Thank you. I think I know what I want to do now and I have an appointment booked imminently.

OP posts:
RedBeech · 06/06/2025 10:06

Ifailed · 04/06/2025 06:26

Just to add, ask the solicitor for their estimated cost to be the executor.

This is a very good idea. You only need one executor. Don't burden one of your children, a relative or close friend with the role. It's a horrible job to cope with during bereavement.

OP, so sorry you are having to do this. I hope you can have a few fantastic, memorable times with your DC very soon. Xxx

bastardkitty · 06/06/2025 12:54

Thank you @RedBeech. It's being drafted. Friends are executors and solicitor was very clear that it is very simple and will not be onerous for them.

OP posts:
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