Making a will consumer checklist

Checklist for your appointment: Wills

Before your first appointment

  • Find out the cost and time for the first appointment, and ask what you must bring
  • Prepare a note of any questions that you have about your options or the process
  • List your assets and think how you’d like them to be dealt with
  • Gather copies of relevant documents, which might include those we suggested above, but particularly:
    • The original or copy of any will that you made previously;
    • Name and address of any person that you want to name as executor, or to deal with your online accounts, or to inherit from you'
    • Any personal documents relating to properly, finances, cars, insurance policies or pensions, funeral arrangements and funeral wishes;
    • Anything else the solicitor has asked you to bring to the appointment

Possible points to discuss at your first appointment

  • What are my options – single will, joint will, letters of wishes
  • What are the costs and benefits of each of these
  • Will inheritance tax be payable, and what could I do to minimise this
  • What is the implication of care home costs, and can I minimise this
  • Who would be an appropriate person to act as executor
  • Is any extra protection needed for any family member
  • How and when must I pay the fees
  • Is there anything else that I need to consider or arrange now

What next?

  • Tell the solicitor if you need more time to consider your options, and agree a date when you’ll confirm what you want to do next
  • When you get the terms of business, make sure to read them and query anything you don’t understand
  • Confirm when you are likely to get a draft of your will for checking
  • When it is sent to you, make sure that you read it carefully, and are fully satisfied that it is in line with what you want to happen
  • Make arrangements to sign the will and follow instructions carefully for your own and your witnesses’ signatures
  • Decide where to keep the will, so that it’s safe, and make sure others will be able to find it when it’s needed

Make a note of any other questions or points that you need to remember

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