I decided it was the perfect time to get a Will...and not just because I’m about to go swimming with sharks!

As a child-free and single 41-year-old, I assumed I would never need a Will until much later in life. However, after speaking to clients of ILAWS Scotland, it has become apparent to me that writing a Will is hugely important at any age.

At the start of 2020, I began writing my annual “to do” list and, along with joining a gym, eating healthier and diving with great white sharks, writing a Will appeared high up on my list of priorities.

So I took advantage of ILAWS Scotland’s special offer of £40 (plus VAT) for a simple Will, and the process could not have been more straightforward.

Understandably, writing this important legal document is something that people postpone, as no one likes to think about the end of their life, or what will happen when they are no longer around. But making these decisions now, working out who gets what, makes things much easier for the loved ones you leave behind.

Now, I hope not to be going anywhere for decades, but accidents can and do happen – and none of us knows what is around the corner. Having been involved in three nonfault car accidents within a two-year period (all very minor), I do think about the dreaded “what ifs”.

Senior estate planner Elaine Hamilton from ILAWS Scotland visited me at home to discuss my Will and, within an hour, it was complete.

A few days later, I received my paperwork and signed the document in front of two witnesses.

Now I know that my parents, who are both still alive and in good health, will be looked after, while my young nieces will also receive a share of my estate.

Elaine explained in plain English all that my Will entailed and answered all the questions I had with professionalism.What made it a less daunting task was that Elaine was very personable, so we chatted openly and with ease.

One question I was not expecting during our discussion focused on my funeral plans and what type of service I’d be looking for.

However, like many people, I already had firm views on this often-sensitive subject, and was happy to share them with Elaine, who took notes while we spoke.

Now my Will is in place, I am aware that circumstances can and will change, and at that point I will revisit and update my Will, but I am now safe in the knowledge that in the “here and now”, my property and estate will be shared among loved ones without “intestacy” (which happens when someone dies without a Will).

If someone dies intestate, it is a time-consuming and costly exercise.

Because I did not want huge expenses, uncertainty or further distress imposed on my surviving family members, I organised my Will with ILAWS Scotland. I feel relieved that this “to do in 2020” is now ticked off my list…

And I suppose it is just as well I now have a Will if I am diving with sharks later in the year!

Writing a Will was high on my to-do list for 2020...and Elaine from ILAWS made it so easy – Laura Coventry, 41, Glasgow