Preparing for your Will appointment need not be stressful. This guide explains what to think about, what documents to gather and the likely questions so you can feel ready.
Making your Will is one of the most helpful things you can do for the people you love. Preparing for your Will appointment will make the meeting quicker and mean your wishes are captured clearly. Below you will find practical steps, common topics we will cover, and helpful examples so you know what to expect.
Before the appointment: practical prep
Gathering a few documents in advance will save time and help your adviser understand your circumstances. Typical items to have ready are:
- Proof of identity, such as a passport or driving licence, for security and verification.
- Any existing Will documents if you are replacing or updating a Will.
- Details of significant assets, for example the family home, other properties, savings, pensions and investments. You do not need precise valuations, but a rough picture helps.
- Property title deeds or mortgage statements if you own a property, and recent statements for bank accounts and ISAs.
- Contact details for potential executors, trustees and guardians, including full names and addresses where possible.
If you cannot locate a title deed, a copy of the latest mortgage statement or the Land Registry title summary will help. For guidance on wills and other end of life documents, you may find the government page useful: gov.uk - Make a will.
Who you will talk about
Most of the appointment will focus on the people you want to include in your Will, and the roles you want them to play. Expect to discuss:
- Beneficiaries, the people, friends or charities you want to inherit.
- Executors, who will administer your estate. You can appoint more than one, and you may want to name a professional as a backup.
- Guardians, if you have children under 18 and want to nominate who will care for them.
- Trustees, where you want assets held in trust for children or vulnerable beneficiaries.
Choosing the right people
Think about availability, location and how comfortable someone would be handling financial and practical tasks. For trustees and executors, it is common to choose a spouse, adult child or a trusted friend, and to name a professional such as a solicitor as an alternative or co-executor.
What to decide about your assets
Your Will can be straightforward, for example leaving everything to your spouse, or more detailed, such as leaving specific items to individual people. Consider:
- Specific gifts, for example jewellery or family heirlooms, and who should receive them.
- Residual estate, the remainder after specific gifts, debts and expenses are paid, and how this should be divided.
- Property arrangements, whether the home is owned jointly or solely, and the implications for your Will.
If you have a blended family, or expect potential disputes, trusts can help protect inheritances for children and vulnerable beneficiaries. We can explain options including trusts and tax planning during your appointment.
Other topics we will cover
- How to minimise complications in probate, and whether you should consider lifetime planning steps.
- Whether you should make or update a Lasting Power of Attorney to protect your finances and health decisions if you lose capacity.
- How to dispose of digital assets and social media accounts, and where to keep key passwords safely.
What if you are updating an old Will?
Bring your previous Will if you can. We will review it with you and explain what needs changing. If you have recently divorced, remarried or received an inheritance, these are common reasons to update a Will.
During the appointment: format and timing
Your appointment can take place over Zoom, the telephone or in person where possible. An initial meeting may be as short as 30 minutes, but it will depend on your circumstances. We will listen to your wishes, answer questions and outline recommended options. After the meeting, you will usually receive a written proposal and a draft Will to review.
If you later decide to arrange a Lasting Power of Attorney, we can help complete that process too. Learn more about LPAs on our Lasting Power of Attorney page.
When you are ready, you can book a Will appointment via our Will Writing service page, or contact us for a friendly chat about what you need. If you prefer a fully online option, ask about our online Will service.
If you have questions about estate administration after someone dies, our probate information page explains the process and how we can support you.
We look forward to helping you feel confident and organised. To book, visit our contact page or call us and we will arrange a convenient time to meet.
Call to action: Book your appointment now on our Will Writing page or get in touch via our contact page for personal advice.
Call to action: If you would like to put lasting protections in place, read more about Lasting Power of Attorney and start the process before your Will is finalised.
Ready to protect your family's future?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our expert estate planning consultants. We make wills, LPAs and trusts simple, affordable, and completely stress-free.