Making a will

1. I'm married and just want to leave everything to my spouse. We have no children. Surely I don't need to make a will to do that?
2. I'm married with children - what happens to my estate if I don't make a will?
3. I've been with my partner for years, but we're not married. Do I need to make a will?
4. Do I need a solicitor to make a will?
5. So what are the formalities?
6. What kind of people can be witnesses? Are there any restrictions?
7. What is an executor?
8. It sounds like hard work. How many executors can I appoint?
9. I can't think of anyone amongst my friends or family who could take on such a task. Can I appoint a professional executor?
10. If I do use friends or family, can they charge for their work too?
11. Who looks after my estate if I don't leave a will naming my executors?
12. What happens if I make a will but subsequently want to change it?
13. What happens if my circumstances change - for example, if I am widowed, and then get married again?
14. Will my current will become invalid if I get divorced?
15. Can I specifically ensure that one or more of my children do not inherit? Could they challenge the will after my death?
16. Can I make provision for my pets in my will?
17. If I leave shares in my company to my spouse, can the other shareholders block it when I die?
18. Can I make provision for my civil partner?
19. I have property abroad. Is there going to be any problem in disposing of that in my will as I see fit?
20. If I leave something to someone who dies before me, what happens?
21. I want to leave something to a friend, but I would prefer my spouse not to know about it. Is that possible?
22. What taxes are chargeable on my estate after I die, and who sorts them out?
23. What if the tax laws change before I die, and my will creates unintended tax liabilities? Or my will is generally unsatisfactory to my beneficiaries? Can they vary it after my death?
24. How much will it cost me, to make a will?
25. Where should I keep my will?
26. What is probate?
27. Is there anything more I can do to make things as easy as possible for my executors after I'm gone?