I have bought a couple of will forms off E-bay (presumably sold in pairs for couples except there is only one of me, but useful if I make a mistake). There is only one of me and I don't have any dependents (except the dog who would need to be catered for), and only a mortgage in terms of debt, and presumably with something like that whoever I'd left the house to could then sell it and that would pay off the mortgage and then there would be whatever was left after the sale (probably negative equity at the moment.....) to keep? Since it's fairly simple, I presume if I just write it in plain English and to make sense that would suffice, or do I actually need to consult a solicitor? Not well up on any sort of legal matters..... Thanks.

you don't need to consult a solicitor and if it's straight forward it's easy to do it yourself see http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/family/wills.htm.  You will need it witnessed and you'll need to appoint an executor (you can have more than one) who will sort out your affairs after you've died.

You can write your own will - and you should name an executor (who can benefit under the will).  The executor will deal with the distribution of your estate - even if it consists of only two eggcups! 

The one thing to remember is that anyone who will benefit from a bequest in the will cannot witness your signature.   And you should have two witnesses, each of whom signs after witnessing your signature, and adds his/her name and address under their signatures.

If you have a mortgage you will probably have an insurance cover to pay it off if you die? If that is the case then you could be leaving proprty above the capital gains tax limit? Its never then easy, you would have to write a will and then have it witnessed and placed somewhere safe. Its may end up in probate!

> Its never then easy, you would have to write a will and then have it witnessed and placed somewhere safe. Its may end up in probate!

I think that what you are tring to say is that the will may be 'lost' and the person may end up intestate :) Yes - always make sure that your family/friends know where your will is :) :) After my aunt died I had a devil of a job finding her will even though it used to be held at her bank and her solicitor was one of her best friends, he didn't know where it was :) I eventually found it but only because another friend eventually found out my aunt had died and then said that he had it :) :) :)

It is always best to make a will so that your wishes are known, even if you haven't a lot to leave :) Otherwise your money could end up going to some relative that you don't like - or worse still to the government if no relatives are found :)

Daisy

Thanks, have made a note of the site. :-)

Don't think I have any insurance cover for my mortgage - am right at the bottom of the property ladder money wise (which is fortunate since I have a mortgage to pay on a very low income since being off sick) - unless it comes as standard. It's the sort of thing I'd probably have made sure about if I had human dependents, but since I don't doesn't matter the same. Don't think Capital Gains Tax will enter into it - but thanks for the help. :-)

And thanks for the advice all. Now all I need to do is get the thing written!

Unless Im mistaken you must have insurance cover for the mortgage, so its paid off if you die!
It may be worth a check its usually added to your mortgage payment each month. I could be wrong but we had to take one out or we could not get a mortgage.

I don't have insurance cover for my mortgage, I did ask about it but it added a fair amount on to the monthly payments and I've no real need for it. In the event of my death the dogs will be looked after with my death in service benefit from work and family can have the 50% of the house that's left after paying off mortgage.

Thanks - I'll have a look if I remember - but I don't think there is. When I renewed the mortgage last time they weren't bothered about seeing proof of income "for that sort of amount", so I suspect they will be more bothered about insisting on insurance to pay it off if the value of the house is greater - this is a 1st time buyer house and they'd be able to sell it on easily enough if it was repossessed or anything.