HOW TO MAKE A WILL

You may be putting it off but making a will before you're pushing up daisies is a good idea

- AMBER BRAMBLE

When it comes to awkward subjects, two of the biggest would have to be money and our own mortality. So it's easy to see why many of us put off making a will. Given that 52 per cent of Australians die without this important piece of paper, it's something we should all consider doing, for our own peace of mind and our family's.

As gloomy as making a will might sound, Laura Vickers, principal lawyer from Nest Legal, says that creating one can actually be a positive experience. In her line of work, she is often touched by the amount of thought people put into their wills as a lasting act of love for those who are left behind.

"People really think about the legacy they want to leave, and the memories they want to leave," she explains. "We see some beautiful things in there."

WHEN SHOULD I START WRITING A WILL?

The best time for most people to get started on a will is when they begin acquiring assets. People often make a will after they reach a big milestone, like getting married, having kids, separating, starting a business or even coming into extra money.

Vickers also says a surprising number of people also make wills before a big holiday. "I don't know why that is the case, but it always happens," she explains. "There is something about getting on those big flights to Europe."

Circumstances can change, so she suggests checking your will every five years to ensure that it's up to date, or sooner if you need to.

HOW DO I CHOOSE AN EXECUTOR?