Writing or updating a will is easier when the important information is already organised.

You do not need to make every decision before speaking to a solicitor. In fact, part of the solicitor’s role is to help you understand your options. But having the right information to hand can make the conversation clearer and more useful.

Start with your family picture

Your solicitor will need to understand the people connected to your life and estate.

Think about:

  • Spouse or partner
  • Children
  • Stepchildren
  • Dependants
  • Former spouses or partners
  • Parents
  • Siblings
  • Grandchildren
  • Anyone financially dependent on you
  • Anyone you specifically want to include or exclude

Family circumstances can affect how your wishes are discussed and documented.

List your assets

You do not need exact values for everything, but it helps to understand what exists.

Include:

  • Home or other property
  • Bank accounts
  • Savings
  • Investments
  • Pensions
  • Life insurance
  • Business interests
  • Vehicles
  • Valuable possessions
  • Digital assets
  • Overseas assets

If you own assets jointly, note who owns them with you.

List your liabilities

Debts and liabilities are part of the estate picture too.

Record:

  • Mortgage
  • Loans
  • Credit cards
  • Overdrafts
  • Personal guarantees
  • Business debts
  • Other obligations

This helps your solicitor understand the estate more completely.

Think about executors

Executors are responsible for carrying out the terms of your will. Choose people who are responsible, available, and able to deal with practical administration.

Before the meeting, consider:

  • Who you would trust to act
  • Whether they are willing
  • Whether they are likely to be available
  • Whether you need more than one executor
  • Whether a professional executor may be appropriate

If there is a will, the people named as executors can apply for probate, and where more than one executor is named, the executors must agree who makes the application (GOV.UK).

Think about beneficiaries

Beneficiaries are the people or organisations you want to inherit.

Make a list of:

  • People you want to benefit
  • Charities you want to support
  • Specific gifts
  • Backup beneficiaries
  • Anyone who may expect to benefit
  • Any sensitive family circumstances

Do not worry if you are unsure. Your solicitor can help you work through the implications.

Record wishes and practical instructions

Some wishes may sit outside the will itself, but they are still worth discussing.

These might include:

  • Funeral wishes
  • Guardianship wishes
  • Letters of wishes
  • Care of pets
  • Digital wishes
  • Personal items
  • Family messages
  • How to handle sensitive possessions

Ask your solicitor what should go into the will and what may sit in a separate document.

Bring existing documents

If you already have estate planning documents, bring or record them.

Useful documents include:

  • Existing will
  • Codicils
  • Lasting powers of attorney
  • Trust documents
  • Property documents
  • Marriage or divorce documents
  • Pension beneficiary forms
  • Life insurance policies
  • Business agreements

Putting this into practice

Lyfeguard helps you organise the information that supports will and estate planning conversations, from family details and executors to documents, assets, policies, property, wishes, and trusted contacts.

The aim is not to replace legal advice. It is to make your conversation with a solicitor better prepared.

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