Making a will

What happens if I don't have a will when I pass away?
If you don't have a valid will in place when you pass away, you are said to have died 'intestate'.

This means that the law decides who gets what from your estate, and in the worst case, it could all end up going to the government. There are different rules governing who gets what if you die without a will and what happens, depending if you live in England and Wales or Scotland. Your local solicitor should be able to let you know the exact details.

If you want to find a solicitor, call the Law Society of England and Wales on 020 7242 1222 or The Law Society of Scotland on 0131 226 7411. Both organisations have websites where you can get more information on wills. Find them at www.make-a-will.org.uk and www.lawscot.org.uk