Making your Will

Whatever your age, everyone should consider making a Will. Age Scotland's 'Making your Will' guide explains why, and who can help.

In Scotland, there are legal rules for dividing up property if someone dies without a Will, but there can be uncertainty, disputes, and legal expenses, and surviving relatives may need to go to court to sort things out. 

You can write a Will yourself, but it is better to use a solicitor to write or check your Will. Problems can arise after your death if mistakes have been made, if the Will is not entirely clear, or it has not been properly signed or witnessed. If you decide to use a pre-printed Will form, check that it applies to Scotland as the rules in England and Scotland are very different.

The cost of using a solicitor to write a Will varies depending on how complex it is and who you use, so you should shop around before choosing one. Most Wills are not complex and solicitors may be able to give you a fixed price before starting work. Age Scotland also provides a Free Will Writing Service for anyone who needs it.