How to Complete Your Will Kit

How to Complete Your Will Kit

Marital Status

I am married at the time of executing this Will. References in this Will to “my spouse” are to Jane Doe

Current Children

I currently have children

Mark Doe

Janice Doe

Primary Executor

*An executor is the person you choose to carry out the instructions in your Will after you die. They are responsible for dealing with your estate, paying any debts or costs, and distributing what is left to your beneficiaries.

I nominate Paul Davies to be the independent Executor of this Will.

Alternate Executor

If Paul Davies dies, fails to qualify, resigns, becomes incapacitated, or otherwise ceases to serve as my Executor, I nominate the following individual(s) to serve as Alternate Executor(s):

John Smith of Taunton, Somerset

Digital Assets

Details regarding the location of my digital asset records, account information and access instructions:

I have stored my digital assets at www.bythewillow.co.uk

Specific Bequests

*Use this section to distribute gifts to individuals or organisations

I gift my Stamp Collection to John Smith of Taunton, Somerset

Distribution of Residue

*Your residual estate is whatever is left after any specific gifts, debts, taxes, and costs have been dealt with. This remainder will be divided between your beneficiaries using the percentages you choose.

The individual Mark Doe of Taunton, Somerset, shall receive 50 shares of the residue of my estate.

The individual Janice Doe of Taunton, Somerset, shall receive 50 shares of the residue of my estate.

Wipeout Provisions

*Backup beneficiaries in case your main beneficiaries die before they inherit

If none of the primary or alternate beneficiaries named in this Will survive me, I direct that my estate shall be distributed as follows:

100 shares to Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas

Guardian for Minor and Dependent Children

*Appoint guardians for your children in case your spouse does not survive you.

Daniel Morgan and Emily Morgan of Taunton, Somerset shall be considered as the Guardians of all my minor and dependent children until they reach at least 18 years of age.

Pet Caretaker

Sir Meowsalot (Cat), I leave the sum of £100.00 and appoint as Caretaker Daniel Morgan, of Taunton, Somerset

Additional Provisions

*Include any additional instructions or personal messages.

I would like any family photographs and personal keepsakes to be offered to my close family

I forgive anyone who may have wronged me during my lifetime and wish them peace.

1. Review Your Last Will and Testament

Before finalising your Will, double-check that the following information is included:

◆ Your details: Include your full name, address, marital status, and any specific instructions for asset distribution to help avoid complications

◆ Executor: Choose a reliable executor to manage your estate, settle debts, handle taxes, and distribute assets

◆ Guardians and beneficiaries: Appoint a guardian for minor children and clearly outline your beneficiaries, their inheritance, and any conditions

2. Execute Your Will Correctly

To make your Last Will and Testament legally valid in England and Wales, it must be signed in the presence of two adult witnesses, and both witnesses must be present at the same time. The witnesses must then sign the Will in your presence.

Your witnesses should not be beneficiaries of the Will or married to anyone who benefits from it, as this could affect their inheritance.

3. Specialist Review

For added peace of mind, you can choose to have your completed documents reviewed by a trained specialist. This optional check helps ensure the forms are filled out correctly, clearly written, and free from common mistakes that could affect their use.

The specialist will work with you to make sure everything is accurate and presented the way you intend before you sign the document.

4. Store Your Will Safely

The original signed paper Will is the legally valid version. Scanned copies, digital files, or unsigned versions cannot replace the original signed document.

After signing your Will, remember to:

◆ Tell your Executor where the original Will is stored

◆ Keep it in a safe and accessible place

5. Review and Update

Your wishes, relationships, and circumstances can change over time. It is recommended that you review your documents every 2–3 years and update them whenever something in your life or preferences changes.

Declarant’s Information

Your Full Name

Your Date of Birth

Your Address

Your Phone Number

Your Email Address

Record of Copies

*Record of people and organisations who have been given a copy of this Advance Decision:

Harbourside Family Practice

12 Willowbrook Lane, Bramford, Kent, BR1 7QZ

0241 909 909

harbourside@familygp.co.uk

Organ donation

I want my organs or tissues to be used for transplantation upon my death

USE OF DRUGS

Pain controlling drugs

I want for appropriate medication to be used to control my symptoms, even if this may worsen my physical condition or shorten my life.

Behaviour controlling drugs

I don’t want for appropriate medication to be used to control my symptoms, even if this may worsen my physical condition or shorten my life.

TREATMENT DIRECTIONS AND END-OF-LIFE DECISIONS

*In most cases, life-sustaining medical treatment is any medical intervention, medication, or anything mechanical or artificial that sustains or prolongs the dying process for a terminally ill patient. These may include, but are not limited to:

• CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), including the use of an AED
• Breathing machines
• Medications such as antibiotics
• Nutrition and hydration through feeding tubes or IVs

Terminal condition

*You have an illness or injury that will lead to death in the near future, even with treatment. Medical care cannot cure it or stop it from progressing. Example: Late-stage cancer or end-stage organ failure.

In case of a Terminal Condition, I wish to continue life-sustaining treatment.

Irreversible condition

*A permanent medical condition that cannot be cured, reversed, or significantly improved. Example: Severe spinal cord injury causing permanent paralysis.

In case of an Irreversible Condition, I wish to discontinue life-sustaining treatment.

Persistently Unconscious

*A condition in which a person is permanently unconscious and unaware of themselves or their surroundings, with no meaningful chance of recovery. Example: Persistent vegetative state caused by severe brain damage.

If I am diagnosed as Persistently Unconscious and, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, and I will not regain consciousness, I wish to continue treatment.

Severely and Permanently Mentally Impaired

*A condition in which a person has permanently lost the ability to understand, make, or communicate decisions due to serious mental or brain impairment. Example: Advanced dementia or severe brain injury.

In case of Severely and Permanently Mentally Impaired, I wish to discontinue life-sustaining treatment.

Statement of values and beliefs

*Explains the personal, religious, moral, or practical reasons behind your Advance Decision. It helps doctors, family members, and others understand what matters most to you when making decisions about your care.

Because of my personal religious beliefs, I do not wish to receive a blood transfusion, even if this may place my life at risk.

I value dignity, comfort, and quality of life. If I am in a condition where there is no reasonable prospect of recovery or meaningful awareness, I do not wish to be kept alive by medical treatment that only prolongs the dying process.

I do not want my family to feel responsible for difficult medical decisions if my condition is irreversible. I have made this Advance Decision to make my wishes clear and to reduce uncertainty for them.

You must be at least 18 years old and have mental capacity when signing the document. Do not sign it until your witness is present.

Your witness must also be at least 18 years old and should not be someone who may benefit from your estate or be directly involved in your healthcare decisions.

Once completed, both you and your witness should sign and date the document, and the original signed copy should be stored safely.

2. Sharing Your Living Will

Once you have completed your living Will, you should share it widely so that it is known about and can be followed. The NHS will not have your form on file unless you share it with them, and we do not keep copies on your behalf.

You should share a copy with your:

◆ Relatives

◆ Close friends

◆ GP surgery

◆ Local hospital

◆ Local ambulance trust

The law does not say clearly whether photocopies can be used. GP surgeries will generally accept a photocopy to be added to your medical record, but it is still best to make sure someone knows where your original signed form is kept.

3. Review and Update

Your wishes, relationships, and circumstances can change over time. It is recommended that you review your documents every 2–3 years and update them whenever something in your life or preferences changes.