Why Every Adult in England and Wales Should Consider Having a Will

Writing a Will is one of those tasks many people put off for another day. It can feel distant, uncomfortable, or simply less urgent than everything else on your to-do list. Yet, for adults in England and Wales, having a clear, well-structured Will is one of the most practical and caring steps you can take for the people and causes you care about.

At Codicil Estate Planning & Consultancy in London, we support people across England and Wales to think through their wishes, understand their options in plain English, and put a thoughtful plan in place. Codicil is an independent, unregulated estate-planning consultancy providing general guidance and practical support, rather than regulated legal advice or legal services. This article explains why many adults choose to have a Will and what can happen if you do not.

What happens if you die without a Will?

If you die without a valid Will in England or Wales, your estate is distributed according to the intestacy rules. These are fixed legal rules that set out who may inherit and in what order. They do not take into account your personal relationships, promises you have made, or what you consider to be “fair”.

Under the intestacy rules:

• Unmarried partners (including those you live with) do not inherit automatically.
• Spouses and civil partners may not receive everything, especially where there are children and the estate is of significant value.
• Children may inherit at 18 in a way that you might feel is too early or not well controlled.
• Distant relatives you hardly know could benefit ahead of people you are very close to but not related to by blood or marriage.
• If you have no close relatives, your estate can pass to the Crown.

In practice, this can lead to outcomes that are surprising, upsetting and time-consuming to resolve. A carefully drafted Will allows you to move from a one-size-fits-all legal formula to a plan that actually reflects your life, your values and your priorities.

Common misconceptions about Wills

There are a number of widespread myths that lead people to delay making a Will. A few of the most common are:

• “My partner will automatically get everything.” This is not the case if you are not married or in a civil partnership. Even if you are, the intestacy rules can divide your estate in ways you might not expect.
• “I don’t have much, so I don’t need a Will.” A Will is about more than money. It can cover guardians for children, personal possessions with great emotional value, and clear instructions that ease the burden on those you leave behind.
• “I’m too young to think about this.” Unfortunately, illness and accidents do not respect age. Adults of all ages benefit from the clarity and control that a Will provides.
• “It will be complicated and full of legal jargon.” A good Will should be written in clear, straightforward language. With the right guidance, the process can be structured, calm and surprisingly manageable.

Who should have a Will?

Every adult should consider whether having a Will is appropriate for them, but it is particularly important to explore your options if any of the following apply to you:

• Singles: If you are single, the intestacy rules prioritise certain family members. A Will lets you choose specific people and causes, and ensures close friends or partners are not left out.
• Couples (married or in a civil partnership): A Will can coordinate what each of you wants to happen, provide for one another, and protect children from previous relationships.
• Unmarried couples: Without a Will, your partner has no automatic right to inherit. A Will is essential if you want to provide for them, especially if you own a home or share finances.
• Parents: Your Will is where you can express who you would like to look after your children if you die while they are still under 18, and how their inheritance should be managed for them.
• Blended families: Where there are children from previous relationships, stepchildren or complex family dynamics, a Will can help you balance competing needs and avoid disputes later.
• Business owners: Your Will can address what should happen to your interest in a business, and who should benefit from it. This can be crucial for continuity and for protecting both your family and business partners.

What a Will lets you control

A Will is more than a list of who gets what. It is a structured plan for what should happen when you are no longer here. With a Will, you can:

• Choose your beneficiaries: Decide exactly who should inherit, in what shares, and on what terms.
• Appoint executors: Name trusted people to take responsibility for managing your estate, dealing with banks and institutions, and making sure your wishes are carried out.
• Appoint guardians for children: Set out who you would like to care for your children if you die before they are adults, giving everyone involved greater clarity and reassurance.
• Shape how and when children inherit: For example, you might prefer that children receive funds in stages rather than all at once on their 18th birthday.
• Express your funeral wishes: You can record the kind of funeral you would like, or any particular wishes that matter to you, helping to guide your family at a very difficult time.

Having these decisions made in advance does not remove grief, but it can remove much of the uncertainty and disagreement that families sometimes face.

The emotional and practical value of a Will

A Will is a practical document, but its impact is deeply personal. At a time when loved ones are dealing with shock and loss, a clear Will can:

• Give reassurance that they are following your wishes, not guessing what you might have wanted.
• Reduce the risk of conflict or misunderstanding between family members.
• Simplify the administration of your estate, making the process smoother and often quicker.
• Allow those close to you to focus more on supporting each other, and less on paperwork and difficult decisions.

Many people tell us that finally putting a Will in place gives them a sense of calm. It can be a way of taking care of the people you care about, even when you are not there to do so in person.

How Codicil Estate Planning & Consultancy can help

Codicil Estate Planning & Consultancy is an independent, unregulated estate-planning consultancy based in London, supporting people throughout England and Wales. We do not provide regulated legal advice or legal services. Instead, we offer structured general guidance, help you think through your options in clear, accessible language, and refer you to suitably qualified regulated professionals where needed.

Our role is to help you clarify your wishes, understand in broad terms how the rules may apply, and prepare a thoughtful brief so that any legal drafting carried out by a suitably regulated professional is focused, efficient and aligned with what you want to achieve.

This article is for general information only and relates to the law of England and Wales at the time of writing. It is not legal, financial or tax advice. Your circumstances are unique, and it is important to seek personalised advice from a suitably regulated professional before making any decisions about your Will or wider estate planning.