By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

 Executors are the people who carry out your wishes. Pick someone you trust who is organised and comfortable dealing with paperwork. Many people choose two executors or name a backup in case someone can’t act. 

If your will includes gifts to children or money that needs to be looked after for a period of time, you’ll need trustees. They should be sensible, reliable people who can manage things fairly. Your trustees will follow wishes set out by you.

 Think about:

• Any specific items you want to leave to certain people
   
• Whether you’d like to give cash gifts
   
• How the rest of your estate should be shared
   

Even a rough idea helps us shape the right will for you.

If you have children under 18, your will lets you name the people you’d want to care for them and how they should be provided for financially. You can add specific requests on how you would like them raised. When choosing guardians, think about where they live, the relationship to your children and their financial suitability.

You can include guidance on burial or cremation, the type of service you’d prefer, or donations instead of flowers. It simply helps your family at a difficult time. People include simple directions, such as 'wearing colourful clothing instead of traditional black' or right down to song choices, burial location or scattering ashes. 

 Trusts can be useful when you want a little more control over how and when someone benefits. They’re often used to:

• Protect money for children until they’re older
   
• Look after a vulnerable beneficiary
   
• Make sure assets are managed sensibly rather than inherited outright
   
• Help keep property or business interests stable for the family
   

Trusts don’t have to be complicated, but they can add an extra layer of protection where it’s needed.