Making a Will: FAQs

Your will is your way to make sure your loved ones are looked after, and to continue supporting the causes you care about.

Do I really need a will?

It’s important to make a will so you can decide what happens to your estate when you’re gone. Although it’s not a legal requirement, it is something we recommend you have for your loved ones’ peace of mind. 

Can I write my own will? 

We recommend you use a qualified solicitor to help create or update your will. It can be quite a complicated document and it’s easy to get wrong by doing it yourself, which may cause your will to become invalidated. 

What happens if I die without a will? 

If you die without writing a will, also known as dying ‘intestate’, your property and money will be shared out according to a legal default, rather than your own expressed wishes.

When should I make a will? 

Everyone over the age of 18 should make a will. The benefit of a legal will is that you’ll have the comfort of knowing that your personal wishes will be carried out in the event of your death.

Should I tell Teenage Cancer Trust if I include them in my will?

It’s completely up to you. Your will is a private document, and it’s your choice as to whether you tell us you’ve left us a gift to support young people in the future. However, if you do tell us, we would love to get in touch to say thank you.

Two young people on a Teenage Cancer Trust ward. There is an applied graphical gradient, with the colours transitioning from tea to a light blue. An addiotnal graphical element with the same gradient, but reversed is applied to a looping ribbon.