Background to Wills – The Not-So-Boring Bits

What Actually Is a Will?

The Trustee Act 2000 gives us the rather formal definition: a Will is a document where someone (the fancy legal term is "testator" – sounds like a gladiator, doesn't it?) appoints executors to sort out their stuff after they've popped off, and tells everyone exactly who gets what.

But Wills are proper multi-taskers! They can:

• Appoint guardians for little ones under 18 (because someone needs to make sure they eat their vegetables)

• Make specific gifts & legacies (that vintage teapot collection has to go somewhere!)

• Create Trusts for all sorts of clever reasons

The Freedom to Choose (Yes, Really!)

Here in England & Wales, we've got something rather brilliant called "testamentary freedom" – basically, you can leave your worldly goods to whoever you fancy. Been around since the 19th century, this has! Many other countries have "forced heirship" rules (sounds ominous, doesn't it?) where the law decides who inherits what.

Of course, there are still some people who can challenge your Will, but we'll dive into that drama later...

The Great British Will Avoidance

Now here's where it gets a bit bonkers. Every adult over 18 should have a Will – it's like having an umbrella in Britain, really rather essential! But the stats are absolutely shocking:

• Nearly two-thirds of UK adults don't have a Will (that's over 31 million people playing Russian roulette with their legacy!)

• 98% of Brits can't accurately describe what a Will actually does (bit embarrassing, really)

• Of those who DO have Wills, 10% admit theirs are out-of-date – like that gym membership from 2019

The "I Know I Should" Syndrome

Sound familiar? Most people have bumped into professionals who've asked the million-pound question: "Do you have a Will?" Cue the slightly sheepish response: "I know I should..." followed by absolutely nothing happening whatsoever.

It's like asking someone if they've backed up their phone – everyone knows they should, but somehow it never quite makes it to the top of the to-do list.

The LITS Solution

How do we fix this national case of Will-avoidance? Simple really – be the friendly, knowledgeable Will professional who actually explains the "why" and the "how" without the legal jargon that makes people's eyes glaze over.

Because let's face it, when it comes to protecting the people you love most, life really is too short to put it off any longer.

Ready to tick "sort out my Will" off that ever-growing list? We're here to make it as painless (and dare we say, enjoyable?) as possible.