Dying Matters Awareness Week: let’s talk about death and dying

Your care

Have you thought about what care you would like to receive if you became unwell? Or where you may like to live if you were unable to cope living alone? What medical treatment might you want to receive if you were critically ill? These are questions those closest to you may have to face and making these decisions can be even more stressful if they do not know what you would want. Talking about these topics now will help your loved ones decide what to say if asked in the future.

You can also make the process easier by putting Lasting Powers of Attorney (‘LPAs’) in place now. LPAs give those you appoint (your ‘Attorneys’) the necessary authority to make decisions on your behalf, should you need assistance in the future, or if you were to lose mental capacity. There are two types – one to cover decisions around your health and welfare, and another to deal with your property and finance. They are important documents and are something our team can assist you with should you be thinking about putting these in place.

Telling your loved ones that you are preparing LPAs may even be a good way to start a conversation about your wishes should you become unwell and for the end of your life.

Your will

Whilst you may not feel comfortable discussing who is to benefit from your Will, it is important that your Executors know they will be appointed and where your Will is stored. This is necessary so they know they are responsible for administering your estate after you die, and to give them a starting point in finding the information they need. If no one knows you have made a Will or where to find it, it is the same as if you hadn’t!

We recently posted a separate blog with details of what information your Executors may need. It may be helpful to keep a file of important documents and information, so it is safely stored in one place and easily found when the time comes, just be certain your Executors know where to find it.

We recommend reviewing your Will every 3-5 years or if you experience any change of circumstance, such as births, marriages, deaths or lottery wins! Make sure to update your Executors when you do this, so they are confident they have the most recent version of your Will.

If you have personal possessions you would like to leave to friends or family members, you could write a letter of wishes setting out what each person should receive and refer to it in your Will. Again, make sure it is known where the letter and where those items you wish to gift are stored. Also, photographs can be a useful way of identifying the specific items you are leaving, so there is no doubt from the description.

If you feel comfortable discussing the content of your Will with someone, letting them know your intentions can help clear up any uncertainty that may arise when the Will is looked at by your Executors. It is important to take professional advice on your Will, as the drafting can sometimes be unintentionally ambiguous and raise questions you had not considered.