Mumsnetters share with Cancer Research UK the life admin that they never get around to doing, including updating or writing their Will

[LucyBMumsnet]

This sponsored discussion is now closed. Thank you to everyone who posted on this thread.

Often when we have children, it feels impossible to find the time to do anything that isn’t absolutely crucial…and before you know it, there are things on your to-do-list which have been on there for well over a year or decade. Those little jobs around the house, buying a gift for your OH, clearing out the wardrobe or – one you might not have thought of – sorting out your Will. With this in mind, Cancer Research UK would like to hear about the things you struggle to get around to doing.

Here’s what Cancer Research UK has to say: “We know that updating your Will or writing one from scratch can be a daunting prospect, and one of those things that you might feel just isn’t a priority right now. However, we think writing a Will is far too important to ignore; if you don’t, not only could you leave your loved ones with distressing admin, but it also means the law would decide how your estate is distributed – and this might not be in line with your wishes. Cancer Research UK offer a Free Will Service open to anyone over the age of 18 which guides you through the process step by step, and you can have your Will written within 30 minutes, and tick that job off your list.”

What are the odd-ends you never seem to get around to doing? What are the things that stand in the way of you sorting these out? Where does writing or updating your Will feature on your to-do list (if at all!)? Do you think Cancer Research UK’s Free Will Service would help you?

All who share their thoughts and feelings on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where 3 lucky MNers will each win a £100 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck,
MNHQ

Insight T&Cs apply

*If you'd like to find out more about CRUK’s Free Will Service and legacy gifts please click here

[Pipandmum]

I have a will and named a relative to be guardian. However I have come to have real concerns about this person's partner. Just fundamentally different ideas about how to raise a child (nothing concerning safety). I also have step children (their father, my husband, has passed away) and am uncertain about what to leave them (as they have received something from their father and will presummably inherit from their mother, but I still want to leave them something).
So though I have contacted a lawyer about updating the will I have not managed to bring myself to have a conversation with my relative that I am removing from guardianship - especially as I have also not had a talk with their replacement. It's these awkward things that have prevented me from updating the will.

[clairewoods137]

What are the odd-ends you never seem to get around to doing? Clearing old paperwork I no longer need. Got a box full.

What are the things that stand in the way of you sorting these out? Always something more important to do.

Where does writing or updating your Will feature on your to-do list (if at all!)? Not at all, not written one.

Do you think Cancer Research UK’s Free Will Service would help you? Yes because I need to make one. It would encourage me to do it.

[nettymay]

We never seem to read instructions on any new Tech. items thoroughly.
We have visitors and they say 'you can take photos with this' or 'you can make loads of smoothies with this' and 'don't you ever read instructions? and we look guilty!

[Ikea1234]

We have a will, which includes our son's provision.... But it doesn't include our tortoise! I heard about the "Dying Tidily" log recently (a friend with recent serious health problems had bought one) and it sounded like such a good, sensible idea, as I speak from experience that not all big companies - banks, stores etc - are not at all helpful when someone has died.

[lolamia91]

Emails, writing letters lots of other things

[sm2012]

My husband and I finally got round to organising insurance and critical life cover, we now have to get our wills sorted. It's just so expensive and as we'd need to see a solicitor during office hours is difficult to get childcare and time off work.

Other admin tasks I need to do include sorting out grown out of children's clothes, getting photos printed and put in albums, tidying my kitchen cupboards!

[Dencop]

I always put off will writing as nobody wants to think of their own mortality but more than this I do think that we should have something in writing about who we'd like to have custody or guardianship of our children if we were both in an accident and either killed or incapacitated.
We really should get it done

[HowDoYouPronounceJohn]

At the moment, clearing up jump lying on the floor. Clothing orders I received months ago that I don't want to wear yet, Christmas presents I decided not to give but save for a later occasion, box from new mobile etc.. What's holding me back is probably a lack of storage space, and the guilt when I throw packaging that isn't recyclable into the bin.

As a single person without children who doesn't own any property, I've never seen wills as being relevant to me.

[HowDoYouPronounceJohn]

*junk!

[TutsiFrutsi]

We're good at remembering the big things like our wills, but it's a different story when it comes to giving the cat her monthly flea treatment... and that's why I'm scratching now!

[TutsiFrutsi]

We're good at remembering the big things like our wills, but it's a different story when it comes to giving the cat her monthly flea treatment... and that's why I'm scratching now!

[TutsiFrutsi]

We're good at remembering the big things like our wills, but it's a different story when it comes to giving the cat her monthly flea treatment... and that's why I'm scratching now!

[emmmaaa26]

I have no will and it's not an excuse just because I'm only in my 20s, I need to get one done but it's something that I keep putting off.

[TiggersAngel7774]

Writing a will !!

[Nicole1709]

Sewing clothes

[lhlee62]

We were really lucky as we won a joint will from a local solicitor so we have sorted it out quite recently. We have two children and a joint property so unless something drastic happens it can just stay as it is. I have also recently sorted out life insurance for myself and my husband. I seem to be okay with adulting at the moment :)

[oliveoyl72]

I have a will but it's a few years old now, and I need to tinker with it as my circumstances have changed.

I'm terrible at filing and shredding - I tend to have little bundles all over the house.

Also checking my bank & credit card statements - I only get round to it every few months, usually when something prompts me or I have to check for something... and checking that I'm getting the best deals on my financial products.

[Lorlypop]

Filing paperwork away

[decadance]

No will, and no money or assets either.

[pfcpompeysarah]

I have been meaning to make a will for a long time, as a single parent my main concern is who would take care of my son, his father is not really involved in his life and doesn't pay regularly or make any effort to see him so I worry about who would look after him, in terms of money, that is less of a concern as I don't have much. I think it is one of those emotive things that alot of people feel that doing it will tempt fate or something like that.

[Sarah250187]

We have a son aged 7 and have life insurance but have not done a will yet. Reading the comments on here puts things in perspective though and I realise it’s something I need to get done. Definitely going on the to do list for this week!

[swanlady2000]

I need to do a financial overhaul - look at different bank accounts, see if I can get a better mortgage rate, switch energy suppliers - its all very boring so I keep putting it off!

[mollymoo818]

We made sure to get a will as soon as I got pregnant it just seemed to be so much more important than it was previously and it really did feel like a weight off my shoulders. As for some life admin I never seem to get around to is sorting out my paper work and filing it properly. I keep everything but I just keep it all together which makes it difficult when I need to find something.

[strawberrisc]

I've been meaning to consolidate the four pension pots that I have from previous jobs into my new one. It seems like a massive job though and I always seem to find something better to do!