Making new will

Looking at it from the other side, as a widow, I'd have been hurt and upset if my husband had not trusted me enough to leave everything to me. I want to be able to choose freely how to use my assets, and my circumstances may change. I may need to pay for care, or home adjustments, as I get older. I may want to spend on private medical care if the NHS lets me down. If I were to marry again (very unlikely), it would be up to me then to ensure that my children were not deprived of all their inheritance, and that's what I would do.

I have seen many arguments when money is left to Grandchildren. Unequal numbers, different financial circumstances, new partners with children and more babies born after the Will is made.

It will save a lot of this if everything is divided equally between your children and they are left to pass the money on.

Oh yes, I agree with that, littleflo, even if the grandchildren are adults. If there are several GC, Their ages, needs and circumstances will vary, and more may come along, or step-children be added to the mix. It's likely to cause fewer problems if the parents (our children) are left to spread it down the line as and when they see fit.

Of course it is entirely up to you, and your solicitor should be able to advise and ensure that your wishes are met in the will. But I agree with those who would opt for a simple equal split between your children. It’s then up to them what they share with their own children, if they have them. Anything else could lead to a child feeling that they’ve been treated differently because they have no/fewer children. Of course you need to stipulate that the share of any child that pre-deceases you goes to their children.

Yes, it is wise to name the children as eventual heirs if the parent dies. If you name a spouse instead, that could be messy if that spouse also dies, or the couple divorce and possibly remarry.

Our wills left everything to each other then after we both die, to be split 90% between our two children then 10% to my DHs son in Oz (who was adopted by ex wife's husband to allow him to travel out there in 1970). As DH never hears from this son and it would make the split more awkward, he decided to drop him from the will so now any proceeds would be split equally between our two kids.

Anyway as a new will just meant leaving this son off I decided to make up our wills myself by just copying the former ones. Got them witnessed by two people and £400 saved.