Everything you should know about...YOUR WILL

It’s time to change the way we think about how we write our wishes...

- Amber Bramble

Of all the subjects we try to avoid, two of the biggest are 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 all need for our own peace of mind, and for that of our family.

Laura Vickers, principal lawyer from Nest Legal, says that creating a will can be a positive experience. In her 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 MAKE A WILL?

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

Laura also says a surprising number of people also make wills before a big holiday.

"I don't know why that's the case, but it always happens," she says. "There's something about getting on those big flights to Europe." Circumstances can change, so she suggests checking your will every five years to ensure it's up to date, or sooner if you need to.

HOW DO I CHOOSE AN EXECUTOR?