What to have ready before you make your will

Having this to hand makes the process quicker and means nothing gets missed. You don't need every answer before you start. Tick off what you can, and note anything you're unsure about and I'll talk it through with you by email.

Your will

About you

• Your full legal name, address and date of birth
• Your marital or civil partnership statusMarriage and civil partnership can cancel an existing will in England and Wales, so this matters if you're planning to marry.
• Whether you already have a will, and where it's kept

Your family

• Your spouse or partner's full name
• Your children's full names and dates of birth, including stepchildren you want to include
• Anyone else who depends on you financially

The people you'll name

• Executors: one to four people to deal with your estate, plus a backupThey must be 18 or over. Many people choose a partner, adult child or close friend.
• Guardians for any children under 18, plus a backup
• Full names and addresses for everyone you'll name

What you own and owe

Rough figures are fine. You don't need statements.

• Your home and any other property, and whether it's owned solely or jointlyIf jointly, check whether it's held as "joint tenants" or "tenants in common". Your deeds or the Land Registry will say.
• Bank and savings accounts, and investments
• Pensions and life insurance, and whether you've named beneficiaries on them
• Anything overseas, a business, or valuable items like jewellery or cars
• Mortgage, loans and other debts

Who gets what

• Any specific gifts: particular items or sums of money, and who they go to
• Who inherits everything else (your "residuary estate") and in what shares
• Who should inherit if someone you've named dies before you
• Any charities you'd like to leave something to

Other wishes

• Funeral wishes, such as burial or cremation
• Who would look after any pets
• Anything about digital accounts, photos or social media

Signing: your will needs two adult witnesses who are both present when you sign. They shouldn't be anyone who inherits under the will, or their husband, wife or civil partner. I'll explain exactly how to do it when your will is ready.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs)

An LPA lets people you trust make decisions for you if you ever can't. There are two types, and you can have one or both.

• Which type you need: property and financial affairs, health and welfare, or both
• Your attorneys: full names, addresses and dates of birthThey must be 18 or over. You can choose one or several.
• How several attorneys should decide: always together, or together and on their own
• Replacement attorneys, in case an attorney can no longer act
• A certificate providerSomeone who has known you well for at least two years, or a professional such as your GP or a solicitor. It can't be a family member or one of your attorneys.
• Any preferences or instructions for your attorneys
• For health and welfare: whether your attorneys can make decisions about life-sustaining treatment

Registering an LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian has its own fee, paid to them directly. It isn't included in my price.