There are some things in life that are best left to the professionals: cutting your own hair before a big event, performing DIY dentistry, and – without a doubt – writing your own Will. But unfortunately, some people like to take the scenic (and legally questionable) route when it comes to estate planning.

Take Bob (not his real name, but let’s be honest, we all know a Bob). Bob thought he was being clever by drafting his own Will, popping it in his dresser drawer, and calling it a day. No solicitors, no witnesses – just him, his pen, and a vague hope that everything would work out fine.

Fast forward a few years, and Bob decided to revise his masterpiece. His Wife, who assumed she was still the sole beneficiary, was blissfully unaware of his recent… let’s call it romantic expansion. Bob had quietly pencilled in his new girlfriend as a beneficiary – right there, between the socks and the spare batteries.

Now, if you’ve ever watched a single soap opera in your life, you know what happens next. Bob unexpectedly passed away, and his Wife, now a grieving widow, did what any rational person would do: went searching for his Will.

Cue the fireworks. 🎇

Upon discovering Bob’s little adjustment, she promptly did what any spurned spouse with access to a shredder, fireplace, or overly enthusiastic dog might do – she destroyed it. And just like that, Bob’s final wishes went up in flames (or possibly got repurposed as hamster bedding – we may never know).

The problem? Since Bob never made his Will legally watertight, his ‘new and improved’ version held no real weight. And now, instead of his estate being distributed according to his actual wishes, the law had to step in and divvy things up based on intestacy rules. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go how Bob intended.

Lessons from Bob’s (Burning) Mistake

1️⃣ A DIY Will is a disaster waiting to happen. Just because you can write one on the back of a takeaway menu doesn’t mean you should. A legally valid Will requires proper execution, witnesses, and preferably no risk of spontaneous combustion.

2️⃣ Keeping your Will in a sock drawer is not ‘safe storage’. If your final wishes can be accessed by an emotionally charged spouse with a lighter, rethink your strategy. A professionally stored Will is a protected Will.

3️⃣ Updating your Will? Do it properly. Life changes – relationships, assets, families. But if you don’t legally update your Will, it might not count when it matters most (or worse, someone might ‘accidentally’ misplace it).

4️⃣ Secrecy never ends well. If your estate plan involves any kind of ‘surprise twist,’ prepare for drama. Or better yet – speak to an expert and avoid the courtroom soap opera altogether.

The moral of the story? If you want your wishes to stand the test of time (and fire hazards), get your Will done properly. That’s where we come in.

📞 Book a free chat with us today – before your Will ends up in a pile of ashes!
🔗 https://life-is-too-short.co.uk