help! need advice writing up will

[hazlinh]

ok i basically need an idiot's guide to writing a will...plan to do it this thurs or fri..am suddenly spurred by events beyond my control...can anyone tell me what i can and cannot include? can i lay down who is to become guardian of my child? and who cannot? and can i bar anyone from coming into contact with my child? or at least limit contact with that person? and can i lay down where my child must be schooled? ie a specific school or a specific area? or specific criteria for schooling?

pls help..thanks in advance..

I think you need to see a professional willwriter as your situation sounds quite complicated.

I also think maybe there are some issues here that wouldn't be covered by a will as such, so maybe you ought to be seeing a solicitor or someone from CAB?

really. oh god.

Without the background I am only making assumptions but if you are worried about an ex-partner or something then a lot is dependent on whether they have parental responsibility.

If you are worried generally then yes, you can appoint a guardian, and I think you don;t necessarily need to have a will to do so (hoping someone else might be able to confirm that).

I think then your decisions about things like schooling you would need to discuss with your guardian, so as to be sure they would know about and respect your wishes.

We regretted using a will-making company and are having our wills re-done using a solicitor. We were not well advised and they made basic mistakes like getting our names and marital status wrong. And our wills are simple as they come. So would advise solicitor.

Just checked and you do not need a will to appoint a guardian. You have to put it in writing, dated and signed, and witnessed, that's all.

I did mine through www.conveyancingdirect.co.uk
They are based in Glasgow so don't know if the Scots Law and English Law is different regarding wills. Ours were quite straightforward and we left everything to each other or if we both snuffed it, to the kids and stated names of guardians. Also want to be cremated in a cardboard coffin which the solicitor thought was a hoot but a great idea. Did everything on-line so was dead easy!
They charged about £80. Have found the original email from them and you need:

1. We require the full names and addresses of 2 people whom you would like to act as your executors. The executor is an administrative role, and may or may not be a beneficiary aswell. You and your husband would probably
   have each other act as executor and then one other friend/family member.

2. We would then need the names and addresses of those whom you want to receive specific items from your estate eg. jewellery, pictures,
   ornaments etc etc., together with a brief description of the item to be bequeathed, eg.
   "my solitaire engagement ring", "my treasured Daniel O'Donnell collection"....

3. We would then need the full names and addresses of those who are to receive
   the "residue" of your estate ie. whatever is left over once all debts have been paid and all specific bequests have been made. You may
   wish to leave everything to your husband, and he to you.If your husband died before you, you may then wish to appoint your children as your
   main beneficiaries.

4. You may also wish to appoint guardians if your children are young. We would always recommend speaking with potential guardians, before appointing them in your will.

5. Finally, you may wish to confirm whether you would prefer a cremation or burial (a bit morbid I know).