Dear LPG

I recently wrote a few words about making a will and the first thing that I would like to say is that I did it and it was not as hard as I thought it would be. I have to say that knowing that it is done and dusted does give you a sort of ‘weight off your shoulders’ feeling. 

But there was one thing that the solicitor said to me that I feel needs to be said to all the people who have done the deed and that is the importance of a review every now and then.  

She reminded me that if I ever decided to get married again my will would become null and void and living together has significance too.  Small changes can also have consequences.  You might get a pet that you feel you need to make provision for.  

But it is also advisable to remember the changes that may or may not happen in the lives of your beneficiaries.  Your executor might change their mind forcing you to find another.  There is also the possibility that, God forbid, your executor, or a beneficiary, beats you in the ‘clog popping’ race of life, and it would be awful to leave out a grandchild who was born after you committed your wishes to legal paper.  

We mortals also have a habit of falling in and out of love with people or making new friends that we would perhaps like to help.  There may even be a charity that could do with a bit of what we have.  

The internet, and the solicitor who sorted me out, both advise that we should look at our exit plans at least once every five years and I thought it a good idea to remind readers of that point.

GD Bellingham

GD offers a hint or two on the subject…

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