PART TWO
Paul Lewis
None of us wants to die – but we should make sure things are in order for our heirs. In the second of his two-part special, our columnist explains how
DYING TIDILY / MONEY NEWS
illustrations ELIOT WYATT
Do you have a will? I assume so. If not, see a solicitor and make one – you can do it free this month, so book an appointment now (see Money News, p91 for further details).
Your solicitor should also tell you about a Letter of Wishes. That’s an annex to your will and tells your heirs more about what you would like to happen to you and your stuff. Unlike a will, it’s not binding. Your heirs can ignore it unless they all agree to follow it. So put the important things in your will.
However, there is a third document that your solicitor probably won’t tell you about – I call it your ‘dying tidily letter’. It contains all the info your executors will need to sort out your finances after you have gone.
It starts, of course, with where your will and your Letter of Wishes are! Make sure now that your loved ones know where the original signed will is. Keep a copy with your death documents – yes, you should have that file. The dying tidily letter starts with you and should include details on the following: