Have you heard any of these common misconceptions about Wills? We are here to break those misconceptions with facts

2 October 2026

A Will might not be the most exciting thing to think about, but it is one of the most important documents you can have in place. It sets out what should happen to your money, property, assets and other wishes once you have passed away.

Yet, despite how important a Will is, there are still plenty of myths and misconceptions floating around.

From thinking you are too young to need one to assuming you do not have enough assets for it to matter, these myths can mean people put off making a Will or never get around to making one at all.

We are here to bust some of the most common Will myths and explain why having one could be more important than you think.

‘I am not old enough to need a Will’

This could not be further from the truth. In England and Wales, you can create a Will once you have turned 18.

Despite being able to, many young people believe that they don’t have to worry about making a Will. However, you are more likely to have big life events such as marriage, buying a home or having children when you are young, all of which are life events when a Will should be created or updated.

Having a Will in place ensures that your assets will be passed on to the people whom you wish to inherit and that your children will be looked after, as well as ensuring your funeral wishes are met.

‘I made a Will 20 years ago. That will do’

Having a Will in place is important. However, having an up-to-date Will in place is even more important.

Your Will must be updated as any important life events occur. This could he having a child, coming into some money or getting a divorce. Should any of these occur, your Will must be updated as soon as possible.

If you get married, your Will is automatically cancelled, but if you get a divorce, your Will remains valid, even though most people assume the opposite.

We recommend reviewing your Will every five years, so it accurately reflects your wishes.

‘My estate isn’t big enough to create a Will’

You might be surprised to learn that you don’t need to be wealthy to benefit from having a Will.

Even if your main asset is simply a bank account, having a Will in place can make things much easier for the people you leave behind.

It’s true that estates worth £5,000 or less may not be subject to a probate application fee and some smaller estates can be dealt with without obtaining a formal Grant of Probate.

Without clear instructions about what should happen to your estate, your loved ones may be left dealing with uncertainty, delays and potentially lengthy legal claims at an already difficult time.

A Will gives you the opportunity to make your wishes clear and helps ensure that the right people are responsible for dealing with your estate.

And a Will isn’t simply about money. If you have children, you can use your Will to express your wishes about who should care for them.

If you have pets, you can make arrangements for their future care too. You can even set out your preferences for your funeral.

Ultimately, making a Will is about more than deciding who gets what. It’s about making life a little easier for the people you care about when they may need it most.

How can Mander Hadley help?

Having a Will in place is imperative so that your wishes are listened to in the event of your passing.

Our private client team are here to support you when creating a Will to ensure that your wishes are in place and that everybody you want to receive a part of your estate will.

For support with drafting a Will, get in touch with our team!