Why make a will?
Peter’s Inheritance Tax problem
Jim told me I needn't worry about the future - I'd be provided for and I'd always have the house. Sadly after he died I discovered it wasn't as simple as he'd thought.
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Most people never get a round to making a valid will. This isn't ideal in any situation, but if you live with your partner and aren't married/civil partnered it can be a disaster. Your partner could find themselves out on their ear, homeless, with no money or savings, no right to organise your funeral or sort out your affairs, no keepsakes to remember you by even.Their only hope would be that, under certain circumstances, they might be able to take the matter to court - this would be expensive, stressful, drawn-out, damaging to family relationships, and there's no guarantee of success. If you think you don't need a will, you are almost certainly wrong.
At the very least making a will protects your partner, family and friends from a lot of stress and confusion over what you intended them to have, or to take care of, and who you wanted to be involved in your funeral, as well as protecting those you care for from financial or other hardship.
Download our guide to 
Wills & LivingTogether (534 KB) to see why you need to make a will, who will get your stuff if you don't, and how you can make one as cheaply and easily as possible.
