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Help and Guidance for a single will

The will making form has been designed for your easy use.  You need to decide what information is needed.  These notes should assist you to do that.  There are also some notes in the form itself.

1. Your own details should include any 'aliases' or other names you are known by.  For example actors may have stage names and sometimes writers use a pen name.

2. Your address is your main or permanent one so if you sometimes live/work away it is not necessary to include that temporary address.  If you change permanent address in the future it is not essential to change your will but make sure your executors are aware.

3. your email address will not be included in your will - it is just used for communication once you place your order.  YesTor sends the legal documents and instructions for signing and witnessing there.

4. Executors are the people you have chosen to manage your estate.  One executor is sufficient but you may want to appoint two.  Our will provides for 1 or 2.  Often parents brothers or sisters are appointed.  Executors do not have to be your relatives - friends are fine.  Sometimes professionals such a solicitors, accountants or banks are chosen perhaps if your affairs are particularly complicated.  Because they will require a special charging clause you may need to speak to them first.

5. Specific bequests are for example, if you want to leave your gold watch (full description needed) your brother ..full name and address...  Remember your executors will need to be able to identify the item exactly - and find it.  Make sure your executors know in advance about this.

6. Residuary estate - everything else apart from the specific bequests - if any.  This will divides your residuary estate equally between those you name (if more than 1).  So 2 people will receive 1/2 each, 3 people 1/3 each and so on.  If 1 of them dies before you then there share is divided between the others.  So if you name 3 people and 1 has died before you then the 2 surviving will receive 1/2 each.

7.  If you have nominated just 1 residuary beneficiary you may want to name an alternative beneficiary to take his or her place if the the first dies before you.  This is optional but prevents your estate being intestate.  That is where the residuary estate is left to someone who is no longer alive.  You could for example leave your residuary estate to your only brother or as an alternative his children equally or perhaps your parents.

8. Funeral arrangements  You don't have to make a choice now.  You can leave this to your executors or tell them later on.  If have made your decision select either burial or cremation.  Any special wishes about for example flowers or donations to charity can be conveyed to your executors.