Will Drafting Checklist

When It Applies

Not For

• Tax, trust, offshore-asset, business-succession, or estate-duty advice without a specialist.
• Reporting a deceased estate after death.

Documents

• ID document
• Marriage certificate or antenuptial contract
• Previous will
• Asset and debt list
• Property details
• Policy and retirement fund details
• Beneficiary details
• Executor and guardian details

Timeline

• Before drafting: collect personal, asset, debt, beneficiary, and executor details.
• Before signing: check final names, witnesses, and signing formalities.
• After signing: store the original and tell the executor where it is.
• Ongoing: review after major life or asset changes.

Tips

• Do not let a beneficiary or their spouse witness the will.
• Keep the original safe; copies may create delays after death.
• Do not write amendments on a signed will without advice.
• Ask about estate liquidity if there are debts, property, business interests, or dependants.

Warning Signs

• You have minor children, blended-family issues, business interests, trusts, foreign assets, or major debts.
• A beneficiary is being asked to witness the will.
• You cannot sign normally or need someone else to sign for you.
• You recently married, divorced, had a child, or lost a beneficiary or executor.