When you die, life goes on for those you leave behind. When you are making your Will, you should consider what you can do to minimise their stress, at a time when grief can affect their mental ability to cope.

Your executor is responsible for handling your estate but this can take a very long time – years in some complicated cases. During this time, day to day life has to continue.

To demonstrate – Mr A is the bread winner and has always paid the household bills and handled the family finances, which are all in his name. Mrs A has brought the family up and has never been involved in these matters. Mrs A only has a small amount in her bank account. When Mr A dies, how does Mrs A maintain the family life?

Here are some issues to consider.

• Funds have to be accessed – a joint account would mean that Mrs A has access to funds for day to day living
• Utility bills have to be paid – if they are in joint names, Mrs A can maintain them
• Passwords – by carefully giving Mrs A passwords, she can deal with any pressing matters and inform others of her husband’s death
• Don’t ‘hide’ behind technology

There may be lots more you can do, Try to make sure life after death doesn’t mean financial and mental difficulties for your loved ones, whilst your estate is being handled.

For free advice to help you make the right decisions, please contact us

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